Stabilization of Contaminated Soil by Mixing of Corn Husk Fibers

Abstract

Soil contamination has always been a major cause for land degradation and deterioration of soil properties in various ways. Numerous activities involving the use of petrochemicals on a daily basis, accidents leading to oil spilling, and pipeline or reservoir leakage lead to the contamination of soil. In addition to this contamination is also leading to groundwater pollution, altering the geotechnical properties of soil. The uses of natural fibers incorporated soil as a construction material since ancient times, led to the understanding of the variations in soil properties and also the need to improve these properties to achieve desired construction proficiency. Thus, with this view, this research work deals with the improvement of compaction and strength characteristics of synthetic oil contaminated soil by random mixing of corn husk fibers at different percentages of 1, 2, 3, and 4% by weight of soil. The experimental study was conducted on soil samples which were prepared artificially by mixing synthetic oil at 5, 10, and 15% by weight of soil. Index properties of soil were tested, and then proctor compaction test and CBR tests were conducted in order to observe the changing pattern with the addition of corn husk fiber. Results showed marked improvement in compaction and strength characteristics of soil. The pH value of soil was also determined and results showed a remarkable change in soil characteristics from acidic in nature toward neutralization with addition of corn husk fiber.