Review of enhancing fine loess soils using heating techniques.

Geotechnical issues, including thermal impacts, and understanding the thermo-mechanical behavior of saturated fine-grained soils are critical. Heat treatment is one of the methods used to improve the geotechnical properties of fine loess soils. This method is limited due to the high cost of the heating source. However, in Iraq, the heating source (gas), a product of oil extraction, is very cheap. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in heating technology, including ground improvement approaches. It represents various heating techniques to treat fine soils. The previous studies indicated that high temperature significantly affects the soil composition, temperature affects the clay and water combinations, and flocculation or dispersion may occur depending on the type of ion exchange and clay mineral. At temperatures above dehydration, clays lose water adsorption and hydration as the temperature rises over the point where de-hydroxylation begins. Thermal gradients affect liquid and plastic limitations as a function of alterations in viscosity due to thermal treatment. Heating the fine soil increases the bearing capacity and decreases the settlement close to the distance from heating sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]