Stabilization of expansive soil by using industrial waste

Abstract

The production of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), glass fiber (GF) and ceramic dust (CD) in developing countries at very large scale usually poses a severe disposal problem. The purpose of this research is to determine whether these three waste products are suitable for improving the engineering characteristics of expanding soil. The study has been carried out by varying the content of SBA (0-20%), CD (0-20%) and GF (0-4%) in black cotton soil. Optimization was carried out to find out the composition of the ideal quaternary blend. The use of these materials was found to decrease the maximum dry density and swelling of soil with increase in optimum moisture content. In addition, the liquid limit was found to decline with increment in CBR and unconfined compressive strength. The study confirms the use of these waste materials as soil stabilizers in addition to provide a solution for waste reuse.