Experimental Study of Stabilization of Expansive Soil Mixed with Sawdust and Marble Dust

Abstract

This paper aims at studying the effects of marble dust powder and sawdust content as mixtures in clayey/expansive soil and its engineering properties. Expansive soils have high potential for shrinking or swelling. Due to this phenomenon, surface crack occurs resulting in openings during dry season. The expansive soils have variable strength based on its moisture content and have large volume change leading it to unfit for the construction purpose. Based on Indian standard guidelines, CBR, UCS, and standard proctor tests were conducted on the soil sample mixed with 2–10% sawdust and 2–15% marble dust powder to determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content at varied percentages of waste admixtures in the soil. The admixtures had an overall positive effect on the geotechnical properties of soil and they can be used as a measure to improve soil strength and contribute toward decreasing the environmental impact of waste materials on our surroundings and it also resolves the problem of waste disposal.