Review of geotechnical characteristics of soil contaminated with hydrocarbon substances and residues from a burnt oil refinery

Abstract

Soil contamination by petroleum contaminants and their derivatives has harmful effects on ‎the soil environment. ‎The structure and geotechnical parameters of the soil will change as a result of the interaction between the contaminant and the soil. The double layer thickness of the clay will change, and the structure of the clay soil will become similar to that of the granular soil. In the present study the effect of contamination by burnt-oil waste from refineries on the compaction and resistance behavior of clayey sand soils was investigated. The geotechnical characteristics of soil types contaminated with different percentages of hydrocarbons from previous research were also reviewed and analyzed. The primary effects were decreases in the internal friction angle, California bearing ratio and permeability of the soil and increases in the cohesion and Atterberg limits of the soil. The shear strength of the contaminated soil did not show a definite or constant trend of change. When contaminated with acidic sludge, despite an increase in the cohesion of the soil, a decrease in the internal friction angle caused a decrease in the shear strength. When contaminated with dirt filter residue, the shear strength of the soil increased with the substantial increase in cohesion, despite a decrease in the internal friction angle.