Mica in Soil

The effect of mica on soil has been reported by various authors. The effect of mica onporosity, compressibility and shear strength are very well documented. The presenceof mica in the soil tends to increase the soil porosity. Because the mica tends toreduce the shearing resistance of the soil, the soil containing mica a more susceptibleto collapse in comparison to the non-micaceous soil under similar conditions. Thus,the slope instability along the Udzungwa scarp is exacerbated by the presence ofmica in the soil which is originating from the weathering of the parent biotitic gneissrock. The mica is very flexible and elastic in nature especially the white mica (muscovite).During compaction, the mica platelet bends easily and tends to return to theiroriginal shape. This springing action tends to increase the void ratio withundesirable consequences for compacted layers (reduction in density)

subsequentlypromoting ingress of water in the pavement. During construction of Lower KihansiDam Access road, very micaceous silty sand was encountered along the alignmentfrom Km 6-10. The presence of mica in the soil along this section gave a considerableproblem during compaction due to the elasticity and flexibility of mica particles. Itwas established the micaceous soil can be effectively compacted using sheep foot roller. The vibratory tends to promote a springing action of mica platelets while thekneading action of sheep foot roller tends to embed the mica platelets particles within soil matrix .