INDEX

Sr no Content Pg no

1 Introduction 1 -6
a) Introduction of project work
b) Problem statement
c) Objectives
d) Scope of project work

2 Literature review 7

3 Methodology 8 - 13

4 Results 14 -20

5 Conclusion 21

6 References and Webography 23

1
 INTRODUCTION
Soil is the basic foundation for any civil engineering structure .It is required to bear the loads without
failure .In some places soil may be weak which cannot resist the oncoming loads .In such cases soil
stabilization is needed. Numerous method are available in literature for soil stabilization .

Soilstabilization a general term for any physical, chemical, mechanical, biological or combined method
of changing a natural soil to meet an engineering purpose. Improvements include increasing the weight
bearing capabilities, tensile strength, and overall performance of in-situ subsoils, sands, and waste
materials in order to strengthen road pavements.

Soil Stabilization is the alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties. Stabilization can
increase the shear strength of a soil and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a soil, thus improving
the load bearing capacity of a sub-grade to support pavements and foundations.

Some of the renewable technologies are: enzymes, surfactants, biopolymers, synthetic polymers, co-
polymer based products, cross-linking styrene acrylic polymers, tree resins, ionic stabilizers, fiber
reinforcement, calcium chloride, calcite, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and more. Some of these
new stabilizing techniques create hydrophobic surfaces and mass that prevent road failure from water
penetration or heavy frosts by inhibiting the ingress of water into the treated layer.Traditionally and
widely accepted types of soil stabilization techniques use products such as bitumen emulsions which can
be used as a binding agents for producing a road base. However, bitumen is not environmentally friendly
and becomes brittle when it dries out. Portland cement has been used as an alternative to soil
stabilization. However, this can often be expensive and is not a very good "green" alternative.
Cement fly ash, lime fly ash (separately, or with cement or lime), bitumen, tar, cement kiln dust (CKD),
tree resin and ionic stabilizers are all commonly used stabilizing agents. Other stabilization techniques
include using on-site materials including sub-soils, sands, mining waste and crushed construction waste
to provide stable, dust free local roads for complete dust control and soil stabilization.However, recent
technology has increased the number of traditional additives used for soil stabilization purposes. Such
non-traditional stabilizers include: Polymer based products (e.g. cross-linking water-based styrene
acrylic polymers that significantly improves the load-bearing capacity and tensile strength of treated
soils), Copolymer Based Products, fiber reinforcement, calcium chloride, and Sodium Chloride.

There are advantages and disadvantages to many of these soil stabilizers.

Many of the "green" products have essentially the same formula as soap powders, merely lubricating
and realigning the soil with no effective binding property. Many of the new approaches rely on large
amounts of clay with its inherent binding properties. Bitumen,tar emulsions, asphalt, cement, lime can
be used as a binding agents for producing a road base. When using such products issues such as safety,
health and the environment must be considered.

2
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has explored some of the newer types of soil
stabilization technology, specifically looking for "effective and green" alternatives. One of the examples
utilizes new soil stabilization technology, a process based on cross-linking styrene acrylic polymer.
Another example uses long crystals to create a closed cell formation that is impermeable to water and is
frost, acid, and salt resistant.

3
PROBLEM STATEMENT

In design and construction of any structure, the role of soil is very crucial. Since the soil is in direct
contact with the structure, it acts as a medium of load transfer and hence for any analysis of forces acting
on structure, one has to consider the aspect of stress distribution through soil, as stability of structure
itself depends on soil properties.Geotechnical study of site is crucial at feasibility stage, taking place
before the design begins (a critical design input) in order to understand the characteristics of subsoil
upon which the structure will stand.

Expansive soils, popularly known as black cotton soils in India are, amongst the most problematic soils

from Civil Engineering construction point of view. Of the various factors that affect the swelling

behaviour of these soils, the basic mineralogical composition is very important. Most expansive soils are

rich in mineral montmorillonite and a few in illite.

The degree of expansion being more in the case of the former. Soil suction is another quality that can be

used to characterise a soil’s affinity for water on its volume change behaviour.Black cotton soil is heavy

clay soil, varying from clay to loam; it is generally light to dark grey in colour. Cotton grows in this kind

of soil. The soil prevails generally in central and southern parts of India.

The most important characteristic of the soil is, when dry, it shrinks and is hard like stone and has very

high bearing capacity. Large cracks are formed in the bulk of the soil. The whole area splits up and

cracks up to 150 mm wide are formed up to a depth of 3.0 to 3.5 metre. But when the soil is moist it

expands, becomes very soft and loses bearing capacity.

Due to its expansive character, it increases in volume to the extent of 20% to 30% of original volume

and exerts pressure. The upward pressure exerted becomes so high that it tends to lift the foundation

upwards. This reverse pressure in the foundation causes cracks in the wall above. The cracks are narrow

at the bottom and are wider as they go up.

The unusual characteristics of the soil make it difficult to construct foundation in such soil. Special

method of construction of foundation is needed in such soil.

4
40 to 60% of the Black cotton soil (BC soil) has a size less than 0.001 mm. At the liquid limit, the

volume change is of the order of 200 to 300% and results in swelling pressure as high as 8 kg/cm2/ to 10

kg/cm2. As such Black cotton soil (BC soil) has very low bearing capacity and high swelling and

shrinkage characteristics. Due to its peculiar characteristics, it forms a very poor foundation material for

road construction. Soaked laboratory CBR values of Black Cotton soils are generally found in the range

of 2 to 4%. Due to very low CBR values of Black cotton soil (BC soil), excessive pavement thickness is

required for designing for flexible pavement. Research & Development (R&D) efforts have been made

to improve the strength characteristics of Black cotton soil (BC soil) with new technologies.

The nature of Black Cotton Soil i.e. swelling and shrinkage made it more difficult type of soil in India. The

typical behavior of BC soil makes it difficult and dangerous to have foundation material for any structure in

civil engineering. The BC soils have low bearing capacity and shear strength hence its instability under

heavy loads introduces the necessity to reinforce or stabilized the BC soil.

5
OBJECTIVES
a) To increase strength and stability.
b) To reduce cost by using locally available material.
c) To increase shear strength .
d) To reduce settlement.
e) To improve the pavement.

SCOPE OF PROJECT WORK

The process of stabilization has as its scope the modification of these parameters. In
mechanical stabilization, fine-grained soils are combined to impart the desirable properties to the
resulting soil mass. Chemical stabilization refers to the addition of hydrated lime, portland cement,
bituminous materials, and chemicals containing large organic molecules. In electrothermal
solidification, direct electric current is used to drain fine-grained soils which otherwise cannot be
drained or high temperatures are used to change the nature of fine-grained soils. the role that may be
played by polymers is discussed. All clayey soils do not respond equally well to a specific stabilization
treatment. differences in mineralogical composition, surface characteristics, environmental effects such
as ph, absorbed elements, micron-clay contents which defy gravitational law, influence different
stabilization results. All soils depicted are clay, but they differ in their activity, cation exchange
capacity, and in place ph value. Consequently, their response to stabilization treatment is very different.

Soil stabilization materials can be defined as additives/extracts which are added to the
natural soil to increase certain properties of natural soil. Soil stabilization materials help helps in
increasing the load bearing capability, tensile strength & overall performance of soil. Soil stabilization
materials modify the physical and chemical properties of soil and aggregates by improving its
engineering properties, either temporarily or permanently. The market for soil stabilization materials is
expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.Here we performed test on black cotton soil
where fly ash and lime were mixed to investigate the relative strength gain in terms of unconfined
compression, bearing capacity.

6
MATERIALS USED
1. Black cotton soil
2. Lime
3. Fly ash

Lime:
Lime is a calcium-containing inorganic mineral composed primarily of oxides, and hydroxide,
usually calcium oxide and/ or calcium hydroxide. It is also the name for calcium oxide which occurs as a
product of coal seam fires and in altered limestone xenoliths in volcanic ejecta. The word lime originates
with its earliest use as building mortar and has the sense of sticking and adhering.

Flyash:
Depending upon the source and composition of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary
considerably, but all fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2)
(both amorphous and crystalline), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO), the main mineral
compounds in coal-bearing rock strata.
The minor constituents of fly ash depend upon the specific coal bed composition but may include one or
more of the following elements or compounds found in trace concentrations (up to hundreds
ppm): arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, hexavalent
chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium,
and vanadium, along with very small concentrations of dioxins and PAH compounds. It also has unburnt
carbon.

7
LITERATURE REVIEW

Name of paper Name of author Abstract

Improvement of problematic NimaLatifi Xantham gum is
soil using biopolymer. recommended asan
SuksunHorpibulsuk
environmentally friendly
Christopher L Meehan stabilizer for problematic
clayey soils.

Stabilization of soil using RamkumarGuttikonda Stabilized soil using NaCl for

sodium chloride (NaCl). NadakuditiAbhilash. better constructionof
pavement (8% NaCl )

Baggase ash as an auxiliary Jijo James BA seems more effective on

additive to lime stabilization P.KasinathaPandian bringing positive strength
of an expansive soil. benefits at lower doses of lime
content when compared to
higher lime content.

Stabilization of soil by using Prof. Pratik Somaiya Varying % Fly ash increases
fly ash. unconfined compressive
Prof. YashwantZala
stress.
Prof RushikeshDangar

Soil stabilization with AmaiaTisbona Mixture of CPS And cement

calcinied paper sludge. leads to mechanical
Ingio Vegas
improvement of soil.

8
 METHODOLOGY

1) Mechanical Method :

In this category, soil stabilization in achieved by physical process such as alteration and mechanical
machines.

By grading of soil particles i.e. changing composition of soil by adding or removing different soil
particles.

By compaction using devices such as rollers, tempers, rammers.

2) Geosynthetics:

Geosynthetics are latest techniques used to stabilize soil strata, made from various types of polymers
(Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyster, Nylon, Polyvinyl Chloride)

3) Chemical Stabilization:

In this category, soil stabilization depends on chemical reaction between stabilizer and soil mineral.

It is done to reduce permeability of soil, increase shear strength and enhance bearing capacity by using
chemical agents such as, calcium chloride, sodium silicate, cement, lime, bitumen.

For Stabilization of Black cotton soil we have performed following Tests

1-Atterberg’s Limits

a) Liquid Limit
b) Plastic Limit

2-Unconfined Compression Test

3-Standard Proctor’s Compression test

9
1-Atterberg’s Limit

The Atterberg limits are a basic measure of the critical water contents of a fine-grained soil: its
shrinkage limit, plastic limit, and liquid limit. ... Thus, the boundary between each state can be defined
based on a change in the soil's behavior.

Liquid Limit is defined as the minimum water content at percent on dry bases at which the soil changes
its state from Liquid to Plastic State.

Liquid limit
The liquid limit is determined in the laboratory with the help of the standard liquid limit apparatus
designed by Casagrande.

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Determination of liquid limit of soil.
Apparatus.

1. Casagrande apparatus.

2. Sieve(4.75 micron)

3. Spatula.

4. Containers.

5. Tray.

6. Electric Oven.

7. Balance.

Procedure followed by IS2720 (Part 5 -1972 & 6-1985)

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Plastic Limit.
Plastic Limit is defined as the minimum water content at percent on dry bases at which a soil enters from
Semi-Solid State to Plastic State.

Determination of Plastic Limit of Soil.

Apparatus.

1. Glass plat (2 x 2 feet).

2. Spatula.

3. Sieve No. 40 (ASTM).

4. Electric oven.

5. Balance.

Procedure followed by IS2720 (Part 5 -1972 & 6-1985)

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2-Unconfined compression test

In this test, a cylinder of soil without lateral support is tested to failure in simplecompression, at a
constant rate of strain. The compressiveload per unit area required to fail the specimen as
calledUnconfined compressive strength of the soil.

Procedure followed by IS 2720 (part 8)-1964

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3-Standard Proctor test
The Proctor compaction test is a laboratory method of experimentally determining the optimal moisture
content at which a given soil type will become most dense and achieve its maximum dry density.

Equipments for Proctor’s Test for Compaction of Soil

Compaction mould, capacity 1000ml.

Rammer, mass 2.6 kg

Detachable base plate

Collar, 60mm high

IS sieve, 4.75 mm

Oven

Desiccator

Weighing balance, accuracy 1g

Large mixing pan

Straight edge

Spatula

Graduated jar

Mixing tools, spoons, trowels, etc.

Procedure followed by IS 2720 (part 7)-1965

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 Results

Liquid limit

PLAIN BCS

Sr no Determination 1 2 3
number
1 Number of Blows 30 26 23
2 Container number G3 2 3
3 Mass of container M1 36.7 13.6 15.3
4 Mass of container + Wet 97 86.3 75.6
Soil M2
5 Mass of container + Dry 73 62.45 51.9
soil M3
6 Mass of water M2-M3 24 23.85 23.7
7 Mass of oven dry soil M3- 36.3 48.85 36.6
M1
8 Water Content 66.11 65.81 65.5

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SR MATERIAL % MATERIAL READINGS WATER CONTENT
NO` ADDED ADDED
1 Soil+Flyash+Lime 3% 1 64.94
2 68.92
3 70.57

5% 1
2
3
9% 1 68.01
2 64.19
3 58.46

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 PLASTIC LIMIT

SR MATERIAL % MATERIAL READINGS WATER CONTENT

NO ADDED ADDED
1 Plain Soil 0% 1 42.85

2 Fly Ash 3% 1 35.71

5% 1 28.21

9% 1 26.67

3 Lime 3% 1 80

5% 1 51.53

9% 1 128

4 Soil+ Fly ash+ 3% 1 43.75

Lime
5% 1 47.67

9% 1 55.5

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 UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

Stress vs Strain Graph(3%Fly ash+ 3% Lime+ soil)

18
5% Fly ash + 5 % Lime + Soil

19
 9% Fly ash + 9% Lime + Soil

Standard Proctor Test

Plain Soil

Container Empty Wet Dry Mass Mass Bulk Water Dry

No Container Soil Soil of of soil Density Content Density
M1 M2 M3 Mould
+ Soil
D10 17.8 66.7 61.9 7.06 1.26 1.52 10.88% 1.37
20 16.1 37.7 34.6 7.16 1.56 1.62 16.21% 1.39
PS3 13.4 29.7 26.9 7.3 1.7 1.77 20.74% 1.465
PS7 16.4 39.5 34.8 7.4 1.8 1.87 25.54% 1.49
P3 15.1 55.2 45.7 7.5 1.9 1.98 31.04% 1.51
PS8 12.1 31.8 26.9 7.3 1.7 1.77 35% 1.3

20
3% Fly ash + 3% Lime + Soil
Cont no Empty Wet wt Dry wt Mass of Mass of Water Dry Bulk
wt mould soil content density density
+soil %
3 15 45.2 42 7.04 1.54 11.85 1.43 1.6
M20 41.7 96.3 88.8 7.1 1.62 15.92 1.46 1.69
G3 36.7 72.7 66.3 7.23 1.73 21.62 1.48 1.8
A 12.6 47 40.1 7.38 1.88 25.09 1.56 1.96
Ps3 13.4 55.4 45.2 7.43 1.3 32.07 1.5 2
M 44.5 97 81.8 7.25 43.44 1.26 1.82 1.82

9% Fly ash + 9% lime + Soil

Cont no Empty Wet wt Dry wt Mass of Mass of Water Dry Bulk
wt mould soil content density density
+soil %
1 14.2 46.9 43.2 7.26 1.65 12.75 1.52 1.72
B 41.9 73.4 69.2 7.36 1.74 15.38 1.55 1.8
D30 39.7 78.2 71.9 7.42 1.81 19.56 1.57 1.88
M30 43 79.6 72 7.45 1.84 26.50 1.52 1.92
4 12.9 39.2 33.1 7.6 1.99 30.16 1.58 2.07
G4 43 97.7 82.8 7.5 1.89 37.43 1.43 1.97

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 CONCLUSION

• The liquid limit of soil was 65% for plain soil, however result shows decrease in
liquid limit that is 57% liquid limit when adding 9% flyash and 9% lime.

• Plastic limit decreases with lime as well as with flyash

• Plastic limit of plain soil is 42.85% and after adding 9% fly ash is 26.6% .

 Maximum dry density was 1.56 at optimum moisture content 25.09% (for 3% fly
ash + 3% lime + soil)

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REFERENCES
Nima Latifi, Suksun Horbibulsuk, Christopher L Meehan: Improvement of problematic soil using
biopolymer.

Ram Kumar Guttikonda, Nadakuditi Abhilash: Stabilization of soil using Sodium chloride (NaCl)

Jijo james,P.Kasinatha Pandian: Baggase ash as an auxiliary additive to lime stabilization of an

expansive soil.

Prof.Pratik somaiya,Prof.Yashwant Zala,Prof. Rushikesh Dangar: Stabilization of soil by using fly ash.

Amaia Tisbona, Ingio Vegas : Soil stabilization with calcinied paper sludge.

WEBOGRAPHY
https://globaljournals.org/GJRE_Volume12/4-Stabilisation-of-Black-Cotton-Soils-Using-Fly-Ash.pdf

https://www.slideshare.net/inventy/a-study-on-stabilization-of-black-cotton-soil-by-use-of-fly-ash-ferric-
chloride-and-stone-dust

https://www.scribd.com/doc/208579625/Stabilization-of-Black-Cotton-Soil

https://www.scribd.com/doc/59503308/Project-Report-on-Soil-Stabilization-Using-Lime-and-Fly-Ash

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328030652_Study_of_Stabilization_of_Black_Cotton_Soil_using_Lim
e

https://www.nbmcw.com/tech-articles/roads-and-pavements/307-practical-problems-of-highway-construction-
in-black-cotton-soil-areas-and-in-place-remedial-measures-a-case-study.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_stabilization

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/construction-black-cotton-soil-dr-k-m-soni

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