The thermal stabilization of expansive soils has emerged as a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical stabilization methods, addressing the long-standing challenges associated with soil swelling and shrinkage. This review critically evaluates the mechanisms, applications, and advancements in thermal stabilization techniques, with a particular focus on both traditional approaches (e.g., kiln heating) and emerging innovations such as microwave heating. This study synthesizes recent research findings to assess how thermal treatment modifies the mineralogical, physical, and mechanical properties of expansive soils, reducing their plasticity and improving their strength characteristics. Comparative analysis highlights the advantages, limitations, and sustainability implications of different thermal methods, considering factors such as energy efficiency, scalability, and environmental impact. While thermal stabilization offers a viable alternative to chemical treatments, key challenges remain regarding cost, field implementation, and long-term performance validation. The integration of thermal treatment with complementary techniques, such as lime stabilization, is explored as a means to enhance soil stability while minimizing environmental impact. By addressing critical research gaps and providing a comprehensive perspective on the future potential of thermal stabilization, this review contributes valuable insights for researchers and engineers seeking innovative and sustainable solutions for managing expansive soils.

Addressing the challenges of wet and soft loess foundations is crucial in geotechnical engineering due to their inherent low strength and high compressibility. High-temperature sintering technology is a leading method for enhancing loess foundations, known for its fast processing and effective reinforcement. This paper focuses on the effects of saturation on the compressibility of sintered loess, using results from saturation and compression tests. It highlights how saturation influences loess differently under various sintering conditions. Particularly, loess sintered at 200 degrees C breaks down after saturation, losing its resistance to deformation. By contrast, loess sintered at other conditions retains some deformative resistance, but its compressibility still increases. The study finds an inverse relation between sintering temperature and the increase in compressibility after saturation. Additionally, it examines changes in compressibility indices, which include the compression coefficient, compression index, and modulus of compressibility. These are analyzed based on different saturation times, establishing a law that links saturation time to the compressibility of sintered loess.