Volume 2, Issue 1 — Year 2025 — Article e100034

Hamed Aslani¹; Morteza Ebrahimi²; Sibel Arslan³; Ahmet Yılmaz⁴; Maryam Khodadad⁵

1. Department of Earth Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
2. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
3. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
4. Department of Geological Engineering, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
5. Department of Civil Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Sahand 513351996, Iran

The Plasticity Index (PI) is a fundamental geotechnical parameter that quantifies the plastic behavior of clayey soils, which is key for assessing their suitability for various engineering applications. The PI is significantly influenced by soil moisture content, which varies with environmental conditions and impacts soil properties such as shear strength, compressibility, and load-bearing capacity. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of 25 Atterberg limit tests conducted on clayey soil samples from the South Pars area is presented, with a focus on the variation of PI in relation to different moisture contents. The results highlight how moisture fluctuations affect the plasticity of clayey soils, thereby influencing their behavior in construction projects such as foundation design, road construction, and other geotechnical applications. By analyzing empirical data from the region, the study provides insights into the potential challenges and considerations for engineers working in areas with similar soil characteristics. The findings suggest that a high PI correlates with increased plasticity, leading to challenges in the construction of stable foundations and roads. Moreover, soils with lower PI values tend to exhibit better load-bearing capacities and less compressibility, making them more suitable for certain engineering purposes. This paper underscores the importance of accurately characterizing the plasticity of soils, particularly in the South Pars region, where clayey soils are prevalent. By understanding the influence of moisture content on plasticity, geoengineers can design more efficient and sustainable solutions, reducing risks associated with soil instability and ensuring the long-term success of construction projects.

Plasticity index, Clayey soils, Engineering properties, Soil behavior, Atterberg limits