Stabilization of expansive soil using saw dust

Abstract

For any structure, the sub structure, i.e. the foundation is of utmost importance and has to be sturdy enough to mount the load of the total structure. In order to make the foundation strong, soil plays a vital role. To work on soil, we need to have sufficient knowledge of their factors and properties that influence its behaviour. Problems are generally created by expansive soils for lightly loaded structure than highly loaded structures. When the soil consolidates under load and volumetric changes occur due to seasonal moisture variation, such problems get manifested through shrinkage, swelling and non-uniform settlement. In this paper, the data obtained from experimentation in the laboratory on expansive soils treated with saw dust are presented. A detailed study has been carried out to know the improvements in certain properties of expansive soil by changing the percentage of saw dust. The experimental results from standard proctor compaction test, Atterberg’s limits tests, CBR, direct shear tests carried out on expansive soil mixed at different proportions of saw dust are presented and discussed in this paper. The results show that the index parameters are getting changed with the addition of saw dust.