Strength and durability enhancement of soft soil by using mineral admixtures-A study on effect in soil fabric

Abstract

Sub soil strength is a key parameter engineers look upon while designing the pavement structures, its durability directly relies on the strength of sub base. Tropical countries like India have varying soil profile which need to be upgraded to attain desired strength and durability characteristics focussing on taking demanding loading pattern and weather conditions. Unfortunately the soil profile available in India in many states does not have sufficient strength and hence research works are directed towards obtaining the required strength by addition of mineral admixtures or chemicals that may alter the fabric structure of the soil and provide sufficient stability. In this research the stabilitisation and strength enhancement is done by using Ground granulated blast furnace slag which is an industrial by product that can effectively used as pozzola based strength enhancer for the soil. Results obtains shows that GGBS can be effectively used for any soil to strengthen it to a desired level.Soft soil samples were collected from Warangal District Telangana. This soil was classified as CH as per Indian Standard Classification system (ISCS). Different amounts of GBFS, i.e. 10, 20, and 30% were used to stabilize the soft soil. The performance of GBFS with soft soil was assessed utilizing compaction and California bearing ratio (CBR) test. In light of these presentation tests, optimum value of GBFS was resolved as 30%. Sensible enhancement has been watched for soaked CBR value of soil with this optimum value and the improved soil is used in the pavement subgrade and with the usage of stabilised soil there is a considerable decrease in the subgrade thickness.