Abstract
This study concems with the improvement of soils in Basrah area. Two types of soil have been selected; the first from Garmatt Ali place and the second type from Abu Al-Khasseeb place. Natural (palm) fibers are used in stabilization of these soils. These fibers were added by different percentages (0, 1, 2, and 3%) by weight of dry soil so as to improve soil properties. The selected soil are subjected to different tests such as liquid and plastic limit, specific gravity, unconfined compressive strength, compaction test. It was found that the addition of fibers to the soil affects compaction characteristics by decreasing maximum dry density and increasing optimum moisture content for both types of soils. The unconfined compressive strength increased with more addition of fibers The affect of fibers content on swelling, the swelling percent reduced especially during first days of the test.