Geotechnical review for organic soils: Properties and stabilization

Organic soils are considered problematic soil as they are characterized by low shear strength, high compressibility, and sometimes difficulty to accessibility. The problem caused by this soil depends on several factors, such as the type and content of these organic materials; where this type of soil can represent a very challenge for geotechnical engineers and the construction industry because organic soils can cause excessive settlement. Soil stabilization is the process of improving the engineering properties of the soil and making it more stable. The stabilization process for this type of soil is either mechanical, chemical, thermal, or electrical. This research reviewed the properties of organic soils and some of their stabilizers. They all participated in improving the texture of this soil, such as decreasing liquid and plastic limits, increasing the shear strength, increasing the maximum dry unit weight, reaching the optimum moisture content, and improving the parameters of the compressibility (coefficient of consolidation and compression index). The stabilization of organic soil or the improvement of its engineering properties depends on several factors, the most important of which is the type of soil in terms of its organic content and the surrounding environmental conditions, as well as the cost.