This research study investigated the impact of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) on the physical and mechanical properties of clay soil through experimental testing. Additionally, the impact of hydrated lime and magnesium oxide on improving the properties of clay soil was investigated. The contaminated soil was artificially produced in the laboratory. Natural and contaminated soils were mixed with the above agents at percentages of 5.0%, 10.0% and 15.0%, respectively. The experimental test programme for this study comprised: Atterberg limits, compaction, uniaxial compression tests (UCS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Samples for the UCS tests, both with and without additives, were prepared using the static compaction method and tested at curing times of 7, 14 and 28 days. The results showed that, in general, the Atterberg limit, compaction parameter (maximum dry unit weight) and UCS values for the contaminated soil were lower than for the natural soil. The results also indicated a reduction in UCS values for a mixture of contaminated soil and 10% hydrated lime or magnesium oxide. A comparison of the final strength values of samples made from a mixture of contaminated soil and 10% hydrated lime or magnesium oxide showed that the strength was 34.4% and 63.8% lower than that of a mixture with 5% of these additives at the same curing time. The E50 values were calculated from the stress-strain curves of the different tests. Additionally, the SEM results showed that changes in the properties of the mixture prepared from these agents and natural or contaminated soil were due to a chemical reaction between the soil and the additives.
