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Peat is found in many countries throughout the world where it can be generally seen in thick layers in limited areas. Peat is an extreme form of soft soil and is considered problematic due to the low shear strength and large compressibility. This project presents laboratory finding on the compressibility and shear strength characteristics of fibrous peat with sand column. The peat used in the study is classified as fibrous peat and H1–H4 in Von Post scale. Its liquid limit is 119%. In all tests, the peat used for the tests passing 2 mm and remain on.15 mm. The rounded sand used for making sand column is poorly graded passing from 2 mm sieve size and retaining on 1 mm sieve size. The tests conducted to investigate effect of area ratio of sand column on shear strength and compressibility of the peat. Three different area ratios were used for both compressibility and shear strength tests. Consolidation test results showed that when the area ratio increases compressibility characteristic of the peat improved. Shear strength of the organic soil was also affected from the sand column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of series of direct shear tests made on recycled waste expanded polystyrene foams (EPS). Waste EPS were thermally modified in an oven at 130 ̊C through 15minutes and crushed into aggregate size before tested. Heat treatment of the EPS increased its density from 15kg/m 3 to nearly 200kg/m 3 . Shear strength behavior of modified EPS were investigated in loose and dense states under three different normal stresses. The test results showed that shear strength behavior of modified EPS is similar to that of sand. Internal friction angle of modified waste EPS in the dense state is higher than of loose state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]