Stabilisation of Expansive Black Cotton Soil – An Experimental Approach

Abstract

The aim of this Stabilisation Of Expansive Black Cotton Soil – An Experimental Approach study is to explore the influence of Non Woven Coir (NWC)/coir fiber mixed with black cotton soil used in subgrade. Black cotton soil mixed with coir fiber in a percentage varying from 0.15 percent -0.75 percent for this purpose. In other cases, soil mixed with 0.15% -0.75% NWC and 3% -15% sand and soil properties evaluated.

The study results indicated that NWC can be built on soft ground, had more stability when confined than other soil fills, and showed negligible long-term settlement, and was also used as a stabilizing agent. It was observed that black soil CBR increased approximately linearly with an increase when NWC and sand were included.

Due to the non-availability of suitable soil, heavy financial investments are required for the construction of roads, canals and embankments. The soil of Black Cotton (BC) is also expansive. There are many soil stabilization methods / techniques.

They are cohesive non-swelling soil layer, method of sand cushioning, chemical stabilization, bio enzymes, method of deep soil mixing, mixing different additives such as lime, cement, ash, stone dust, etc.

Conclusion

In this experimental study, a step is taken to stabilize the black cotton soil for road and building construction. To stabilize the expansive soil, a bio-enzyme called Terrazyme is used. The addition of non-woven coir in soil BC has demonstrated the soil’s properties. It was found that the optimum content of non woven coir was 0.45 %. CBR is 67.8 per cent higher than the virgin soil CBR.