Utilization of Coir Pith for the Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil

Abstract

Expansive soil deposits mostly appear in arid and semi-arid areas of the world and they pose severe difficulties to engineering constructions as they possess higher tendency to heave in the course of moist season and shrink at summer season. Construction in such highly expansive strata can be done by adopting ground modification techniques like soil stabilization, Vertical drains, inducing reinforcement in to soil etc., On the other hand with rapid industrial growth more quantity of industrial waste will be generated which will trigger several environmental issues when it is dumped in to environment. Utilization of industrial waste in construction industry without compromising in strength criteria is the best possible option for the engineers as the waste is used as construction material there will be no need for dumping yards, biodiversities can be protected, strength properties of the soil can be enhanced and hydraulic properties can also be modified by treating soil with industrial wastes. As the river sand can be partially replaced by some of the industrial wastes requirement for natural sand can be reduced which will not only economise the construction cost but also preserves the natural resources. The present study was carried out to assess the behaviour of coir pith treated black cotton soils. Due to increase in the natural fibres in many industries the waste produced from the coir industry is increasing, if proper care is not taken these waste may create severe effects on environment .To avoid disposal of this waste directly into environment it is better to use the waste in construction industry is a better option. But before adopting such practices proper studies are to be done to check whether these materials are suitable for treating the soils are not .In the present study by adding various proportions of coir pith Swell, strength characteristics of soil where compared for obtaining the optimum Replacement percentage.