Evaluation of the Influence of the Addition of Lime, Cement and Calcium Chloride on the Allowable Capacity of Housing Foundations: Cost and Feasibility Analysis

Amidst the global surge in urbanization, the construction industry faces a critical crossroads: how to transform weak, clayey soils into reliable foundations for sustainable housing-without resorting to expensive or environmentally harmful methods. As climate extremes and population density intensify, innovative ground improvement technologies have become an urgent priority for developing nations. This research pioneers the use of calcium chloride as a high-performance, low-cost additive for clayey soil stabilization, challenging the dominance of traditional lime and cement solutions. Through a comprehensive experimental program-including granulometry, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), direct shear, and bearing capacity tests-various dosages of lime (3–12%), cement (5–20%), and calcium chloride (2-8%) were evaluated. Cost and feasibility analyses were also performed to ensure real-world applicability. The findings are striking: 6% calcium chloride not only delivered a dramatic leap in bearing capacity (116% increase, from 1.13 to 2.44 kg/cm²), but also achieved a remarkable 912% surge in unconfined compressive strength. Even more compelling, construction costs plummeted-concrete expenses dropped by 72% and steel by 75% compared to untreated soils. These results reveal a game-changing path for resource-limited regions, where traditional stabilization is often unaffordable. By demonstrating both superior mechanical performance and major cost savings, this study positions calcium chloride as a catalyst for a new era in geotechnical engineering-where resilient, affordable infrastructure can be achieved on even the poorest soils.