Chapter 5123

CHAPTER 5
Effect of coir fiber and other additives on the Geotechnical Properties of

Stabilized BC soil.
5.1 Introduction
Highly clayey and black cotton soil shall not be used directly as subgrade material for
pavement construction in such cases, if the insitu soil does not fulfill the requirements of
normal subgrade soil, either soil from other sites has to be used or the available soil has to be
stabilized so that it attains sufficient strength to carry the traffic load. Soil stabilization is
gained great importance in road construction. The use of pozzolonic materials such as
cement, fly ash, lime and other materials is well established to improve the properties of the
soil. In this chapter the detailed experimental programme has been planned to study the effect
of artificial fiber and natural fiber on the geotechnical properties of Cement and other
stabilized soil. Alternative techniques are required to provide by civil engineers to traditional
stabilization technique, since traditional stabilization techniques require large amount of
additives by dry weight to improve the engineering properties of materials. Many of these
techniques require specialized skills and equipment to ensure adequate performance, which is
not feasible especially for low volume roads. Exploring the feasibility of such alternatives for
the benefit of road building sector to evolve a stronger durable and economic design is the
goal of this research. To achieve the economy and to reduce the requirement of large quantity
of chemical stabilizers like cement, lime RBI-81 etc and also to improve the other
geotechnical properties of chemically stabilized soil, fibers with and without chemical
stabiliser has been used in this study for altering the properties of BC soil is presented.
The effect of fibers on MDD, OMC, UCS and CBR of Black cotton soil stabilized with
cement and RBI-81 has been found to be limited in literature, the objective of this chapter is
to study the effects of fiber on geotechnical properties of expansive soil stabilized with
different chemicals.
5.2 Experimental Programme

It is recognized that research as well as performance trials have not been very
extensive in India for some of the new materials, [IRC 37-2012 guide lines for the design of
flexible pavements] thus no data is available to fix up the optimum content of commercially
available polymers, chemical stabilisers and industrial wastes, this research work reported
encompass many diversified aspects but primarily concentrated on materials and mixes,
based on the requirement and the current practice in India the percentages of polypropylene
fiber and other chemical additives are selected. The criteria adopted were California bearing
ratio test results which directly depends geotechnical properties like MDD, OMC, Liquid
Limit and UCC.
As the CBR value of the subgrade increases, the total pavement thickness decreases,
thereby decreasing the project cost, thus the proportion of mix was done on trial basis
keeping in view to achieve maximum CBR value by making use of available Reinforcing
materials, chemical additives and Industrial wastes, table 5.1 summarises the experimental
programme.
As per experimental programme Shown in Table5.1, the optimum percentages of Both
Fibers and other additives to be added to Black cotton soil has been determined based on
liquid limit, plasticity index, compaction characteristics and unconfined compression test
results. The tests were conducted as per IS Standard. Table 5.2 to 5.12 and Fig5.1 to Fig5.12
presents the plasticity characteristics of stabilized soils with different percentages of Cement,
RBI-81, Polypropylene fiber (PPF), Coir fiber, Fly ash, Lime and their combination.
Table 5.1 Experimental Programme for BC Soil and Additives
Combination
Experiments Conducted
Curing period in Days
BC Alone
Specific Gravity, LL, PL, SL, Grain size

analysis, Compaction, UCS &CBR
Immediate
Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Compaction,
Unconfined Compressive Strength
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28

Compaction,
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28

Compaction,
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28

Compaction,
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28

Compaction,
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28

Compaction,
Immediate
Immediate
0,7,14 and 28
BC soil +2% Cement

BC soil +4%Cement
BC soil +6% Cement
BC soil +8% cement
BC soil +2% RBI Grade 81
BC Soil Alone+0.5% Polypropylene
Fibers
Fibers
Fibers
Fibers
Fibers
BC soil +2% Cement+RBI 81
BC soil +4%Cement+RBI 81
BC soil +6% Cement+RBI 81
BC soil +8% cement+RBI 81
BC soil+1% Cement+0.25% PPF
BC soil+4% Cement+1% PPF
BC soil+1% RBI+0.25% PPF
BC Soil+2% RBI+0.50% PPF
BC Soil+3% RBI+0.75% PPF
BC Soil+4% RBI+1% PPF
Continued
Table 5.1 Experimental Programme for BC Soil and Additives

Combination
Experiments Conducted
Curing period in Days
BC Alone
Specific Gravity, LL, PL, SL, Grain size

analysis, Compaction, UCS &CBR
Immediate

Compaction,
Immediate
0,7,14and28

Compaction,
Immediate

Compaction,
Immediate

Compaction,
Immediate

Compaction,
Immediate
BC soil +0.2%Coir Fiber

BC soil +0.5% Coir Fiber
BC soil +10%FlyAsh
BC soil +20%FlyAsh
BC soil +30%FlyAsh
BC Soil Alone + 2% LIME
BC soil +1% Lime+0.1Coir Fiber
BC soil +2%Lime+0.15Coir Fiber
BC soil+4% Cement+1% PPF
BC soil+0.1% Coir Fiber+5%FlyAsh
BC Soil+0.15% Coir Fiber+10%FlyAsh

Compaction,
Immediate
BC Soil+0.2% CoirFiber+15% FlyAsh

BC Soil+0.25% Coir+20% FlyAsh
BC soil +1% Lime+5%FlyAsh
BC soil +2%Lime+10%FlyAsh
Liquid limit, Plastic limit

Compaction,
Immediate
5.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The use of pozzolonic materials such as cement, Lime, fly ash to soil increases stiffness,
brittleness and peak strength. But addition of small percentage of Fiber increases both peak
and residual strength, deceases stiffness and changes the cemented soil`s brittle behavior to a
ductile one. So this ductile behavior of subgrade is ideal requirement for flexible pavement
construction.
The various tests were conducted as per the experimental programme. The results and
discussions are presented in the following sections. The tests were conducted on Liquid
limit, Plastic limit and compaction characteristics based on the experimental programme, the
effects of cement and other additives on Black cotton soil have been studied. The optimum
percentage of cement and other additives to be added to the soil has been chosen by
Unconfined compression test and Obtained optimum percentage of additives is used to study
the Load-Deformation behaviour of stabilised soil. The results and discussions are presented
in the following section.
5.3.1 Liquid Limit

Liquid limit is a measure of water content of a soil when it approaches a particular
shearing resistance. The liquid limit of clays is primarily controlled by (i) the shearing
resistance at the particle level and (ii) the thickness of diffused double layer. Although the
liquid limit of clays is governed by the shearing resistance at particle level, the contribution
due to diffused double layer overrides and primarily governs the liquid limit (Sridharan et al
1986).
5.3.1.1 Effect of cement on black cotton soil

The extent to which soil properties get modified by cement action depends greatly on
the concentration of cement, with cement in the range of 7 to 10 percent, depending on other
factors the mixture may develop considerable compressive strength, [IRC 50-1978] keeping
this in view, the percentage of cement content was restricted to 8 percent
Gravely, Sandy, clayey type of soils can be stabilized using cement, when
comparatively higher and faster development of strength and durability characteristics are
needed especially for waterlogged and high rainfall areas.(IRC:SP:20-2002).
The Liquid limit and Plastic limit of BC soil alone is 45.7 and 22.14 respectively,
hence treating it as medium clayey soil, It could be observed from the table5.1 that with
increase in percentage of cement from 2 %to 8% there was 1.75%, 7.2%, 9%and14%
reduction in Liquid limit of BC soil and of Plasticity index of the soil reduced by
12%,23.30%,35.86% and 51% respectively. This is attributed to the reason that the clayey
soil is being mixed with the non plastic material, cement. The Liquid limit and Plastic limit of
BC soil with various percentage of Cement is as shown in the table5.2 and figure5.1.
Table 5.2: Plasticity characteristics of Cement Stabilized BC Soil
Cement %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.70
22.14
23.56
44.90
24.16
20.74
42.42
24.35
18.07
41.60
26.49
15.11
39.29
27.86
11.43
Fig 5.1: Variation of Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index with increase in
percentage of Cement.
5.3.1.2 Effect of RBI-81(road building international grade 81) on black cotton soil
RBI Grade-81 was originally developed by RBI for South African Army Road
Building International in the beginning of 1990s for pavement engineering applications.
RBI-81 is a natural inorganic, soil-stabilizer which re-engineers and modifies the properties
of the soil strength for roads, Alchemist Technology is the exclusive manufacturer and
distributor of RBI Grade-81 in India, since it is new material to India there is no codal
provisions were developed. RBI-81 is a unique and highly effective natural inorganic soil
stabilizer for Infrastructure development and repair. The physical and chemical composition
of this material is discussed in Chapter 4.
Liquid limit tests have been carried out by adding various percentages of RBI-81
stabilizers to Black Cotton soil. The Liquid limit of BC soil decreases with the addition of
RBI-81 stabilizer. The Liquid limit and Plastic limit of BC soil with various percentage of
RBI-81 stabilizer is as shown in the table5.3 and figure5.2
Table 5.3 Plasticity characteristics of RBI-81 Stabilized BC Soil

RBI-81 %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.7
22.14
23.60
44.60
23.90
20.70
42.74
24.75
17.99
39.40
26.79
12.61
38.90
27.88
11.02
percentage of RBI.
5.3.1.3 Effect of polypropylene fibre (PPF) on black cotton soil
Most of the researchers are reinforced polypropylene with sand to determine the
behaviour of material properties of fiber reinforced sand. Limited studies have been carried
out on fibers reinforced with expansive soil, that to they didnt find any scope in finding the
effect on plasticity characteristics, addition of fiber to BC soil is a type of mechanical
stabilisation, thus there is no chemical reaction formation contributing increase or decrease of
liquid limit
Fiber reinforcement of soils has been a subject of research for so many years, the
main objective of this study is to predicting response of BC soil reinforcing with Randomly
distributed discrete fibre of length 10-12mm under the static and cyclic loading process.as per
the experimental programme the Liquid limit tests and plastic limit tests have been carried
out by adding various percentages of PPF stabilizer to Black Cotton soil. Both Liquid limit of
BC soil and Plastic limit value of BC soil Increases with the addition of PPF. The Liquid limit
and Plastic limit of BC soil with various percentage of PPF stabilizer is as shown in the
table5.3 and figure5.2
Table 5.3 shows liquid limit of BC soil decreases with addition of fiber and decreases
further with increase in fiber content this is due to the soil is replaced by fiber having surface
area of fiber is less compared to clay grains leads to the decrease in liquid limit.
Table-5.3: Plasticity characteristics for Black Cotton Soil with Fibers
Combination
LL
PL
PI
BC Soil Alone+0.5% Polypropylene Fibers
43.9
20
23.90
47.76
21.59
26.17
48.5
21.97
26.53
50
21.97
28.03
51.25
30.03
21.22
Fig-5.2: Atterberg Limits for Black Cotton Soil With Various Percentage of
Polypropylene Fibers
5.3.1.4 Effect of cement and RBI-81 on BC soil

The selection of the stabiliser is based on plasticity and particle size distribution of the
material to be treated, if the plasticity index is >20 then the cement alone is not ideal choice
has a stabiliser, soil needs to be modified by using modifiers like lime or RBI-81etc. there is a
distinction between a stabilised soil and modified soil (according to IRC SP-89-2010)
Cement is more difficult to mix intimately with plastic material but this can be
alleviated by pre-treating the soil with RBI-81. From table 5.4 the liquid limit and PI
decreases. Decrease in liquid limit and increase in plastic limit indicates increase in strength
and decrease in plasticity index shows that the volume change during wetting and drying is
less with increase in addition of RBI grade 81.
Another benefit of RBI-81 used with cement is the resistance to shrinkage crack, the
RBi-81 does not produce expansive salts when used in soils with clay content. Hence they do
not cause cracks due to volume change. RBI converts clay irreversibly in to cementitious
calcium silicate and aluminium hydrates, the stabilised soil bound in to an irreversible matrix
where cracking is highly impossible.
RBI-81 is used for pre-treatment for clayey soil before mixing with the cement, the
quantities of RBI-81 and cement must be determined on the basis of unconfined compressive
strength, generally cement content ranges from 3% to 5 % by weight of dry soil (IRC: SP: 20)
since RBI-81 is new material and doesnt have any codal provisions, in this study we selected
1% to 5% by weight of dry soil along with the cement to study the effect of RBI-cement mix
on the plasticity characteristics of BC soil.
Liquid limit and Plastic limit tests have been carried out by adding both cement and
RBI-81 to Black cotton soil. The combined effect of above mentioned additives on the liquid
limit of black cotton soil have been studied. The liquid limit of Black cotton soil alone is
found to be 45.7%. On addition of these additives Liquid limit decreases, this may due to
addition of courser particles causing reduction in clay content of the mixture. The variation of
liquid limit and plastic limit of Black cotton soil for different content of additives is presented
in table5.4 and fig5.3
Table 5.4: Plasticity characteristics of Cement + RBI Stabilized BC Soil

BC
Soil+Cement+RBI-81
(%)
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.7
22.14
23.6
44.74
24.01
20.73
42.85
24.9
17.95
40.32
26.88
13.44
39.1
28.13
10.97
percentage of Cement + RBI.
5.3.1.5 Effect of Polypropylene fiber on cement stabilised BC soil.

Based on the limited literature available on fiber reinforced with BC soil and from the
present study it can be explained that the decrease in Liquid Limit with addition of fiber
content is attributed to the decrease in Liquid limit and increase in plastic limit is nothing but
gain in strength and decrease in plasticity Index shows that the volume change is less with
the addition of fibers,
The combined effect of Cement and Polypropylene Fiber on the liquid limit of black
cotton soil have been studied with varying percentage of mixtures, here also there is no much
significant change in the trend was Observed. The variation of liquid limit of Black cotton
soil treated with varying percentage of mixtures is shown in the figure5.4 and table5.5.
Table 5.5: Plasticity characteristics of Cement + PPF Stabilized BC Soil

Cement+PPF %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.7
22.14
23.6
1%
Cement+0.25% PPF
44.62
22.64
21.98
2%
Cement+0.50% PPF
45.06
24.67
20.39
3%
Cement+0.75% PPF
46.22
27.31
18.91
42.56
28.67
13.89
4% Cement+1%
PPF
percentage of Cement + PPF.
5.3.1.6 Effect of polypropylene fiber on RBI-81 stabilised BC soil
The effect of Polypropylene Fiber on the liquid limit of RBI-81 stabilised black
cotton soil have been studied with varying percentage of mixtures, here also there is no much
significant change in the trend was Observed. The variation of liquid limit of Black cotton
soil treated with varying percentage of mixtures is shown in the figure5.5 and table5.6.
Table 5.6: Plasticity characteristics of RBI + PPF Stabilized BC Soil
RBI-81+PPF %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.7
22.14
23.56
1% RBI+0.25% PPF
44.34
23.82
20.52
2% RBI+0.50% PPF
42.45
24.53
17.92
3% RBI+0.75% PPF
39.55
26.59
12.96
4% RBI+1% PPF
38.6
26.71
11.89
percentage of RBI + PPF.
5.3.1.7 Effect of Coir Fibre on Black cotton soil

Here an attempt is made to make use of fibrous coir waste from the coir industry to
stabilise BC soil subgrade. Loose fibrous coir fibre is collected from the Coir Board, Peenya
Industrial Area, Bangalore.
Fibrous coir of fine gradation and specific gravity 0.7 was
selected for soil stabilization studies. The selected fibres are having aspect ratio 100 with
average length of 30mm and diameter 0.3 mm .The methodology involved was mixing the
discrete coir fibers with soil at different proportions to study the changes in the Liquid limit
and Plasticity Index of the soil-coir matrix. It is seen in figure 5.6 that with increase in coir
fibre content there is reduction in plastic limit and plasticity index of soil-coir mix
Table 5.7: Plasticity characteristics of Coir Fiber Stabilized BC Soil

BC SOIL +COIR FIBRE %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
0.2%
0.3%
0.4%
0.5%
45.3
44.9
42.63
39.96
22.44
23.64
24.26
26.89
22.86
21.26
18.37
13.07
percentage of Coir fiber
5.3.1.8 Effect of Fly ash on Black cotton soil
To study the effect fly ash on plasticity characteristics of soil, different percentages of
fly ash viz., 10, 20, and 30 were mixed with soil and liquid limit and plastic limits were
determined. The variation of liquid limit and plasticity index are shown in Table 5.8 and
figure 5.7 respectively.
It is seen in figure 5.7 that with the increase in percentage of flyash, there is reduction in
liquid limit and plasticity index of soil fly ash mixture.
Table 5.8 Plasticity characteristics of Flyash Stabilized BC Soil

BC SOIL + Fly Ash
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
10%
20%
30%
43.7
42
33
21.12
23.46
24.98
22.58
18.54
8.02
percentage of Flyash
5.3.1.9 Effect of Lime on Plasticity characteristics Black cotton soil
It is known that addition of lime (i) reduces the thickness of diffuse double layer of
clay particles by increasing the electrolyte concentration and by exchanging monovalent
cation by divalent calcium ion, leads to decrease in Liquid limit, and (ii) causes flocculation
of clay particles which leads to increase in the liquid limit (Jayadev and Sridharan, 1982).
The increase in the liquid limit of black cotton soil immediately on addition of 2% lime
shows that the effect of flocculation dominates over the effect of decrease in the double layer
thickness. By increasing the lime content beyond 2% the liquid limit reduces because
When the local soil, cannot be economically and effectively stabilised by mechanical
methods, the chemical stabilisation of these materials are resorted to. Lime stabilisation is
normally adopted for silty clays and clayey soils including black cotton soil. The
development of strength in soil lime mixes depends on the type of clay and its quantity in
soils.thus, lime stabilisation is recommended for soils having PI8.it is desirable that the
calcium hydroxide content in lime for stabilisation should be more than 70 percent. In case of
inferior lime the quantity of lime for stabilisation has to be increased proportionately. Lime
with purity less than 50percent should not be normally used. (IRC: SP20-2002).
To study the effect Lime on plasticity characteristics of soil, different percentages of
Lime viz., 2%,4%,6%and8% were mixed with soil and liquid limit and plastic limits were
figure 5.8 respectively. It is seen in figure 5.8 that with the increase in percentage of Lime,
there is reduction in liquid limit and plasticity index of soil Lime mixture.
Table-5.9: Plasticity characteristics for Black Cotton Soil with Lime
Sl.N0
SOIL
LL
PL
PI
48.94
17.86
31.08
47.6
19.36
28.24
46.32
20.2
26.12
45.7
21.3
24.4
percentage of Lime
5.3.1.10 Effect of coir fiber on lime stabilised black cotton soil.

Coir is a natural biodegradable organic fiber material the rate of decomposition of coir
fibre is generally known to be less than that of any other natural fibers, coir retains 20% of its
strength even after one year (Shivakumar babu et al) the main advantages of coir fibers
compared to other natural fibers are its high initial strength, stiffness and hydraulic
properties. If the requirement is for shorter period then coir is the best choice due to its
biodegradability compared to synthetic fibre.
It is has to be used for longer period, then the chemical treatment like lime is used
along with coir fibers. The inclusion of fibre reinforcement within soil and lime-soil mix
caused an increase in the strength, the increase in strength of combined fibre and lime
inclusion is much more than the increase caused by them individually.
To study the effect of Coir-Lime matrix on plasticity characteristics of soil, different
percentages of coir-Lime were mixed with soil and liquid limit and plastic limits were
figure 5.8 respectively.It is seen in figure 5.8 that with the increase in percentage of Lime,
there is reduction in liquid limit and plasticity index of soil Lime mixture.
Table 5.10: Plasticity characteristics of Coir fiber + Lime Stabilized BC Soil
LIME+COIR FIBRE
%
1% + 0.1%
2% + 0.15%
3% + 0.2%
4% + 0.25%
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
48.51
46.96
45.86
44.73
16.17
18.93
21.03
22.56
32.34
28.03
24.83
22.17
percentage of Coir fiber & Lime
5.3.1.11 Effect of Coir fiber on fly ash stabilised Black cotton soil.
The dominant mechanism controlling reinforcement benefit seems to be the bond

strength and friction at the interface of fibre reinforced soil, interactions occur at the interface
between the fibre surface and the clay grains play key roles in the mechanical behaviour,
however in fibre reinforced flyash soil the interactions between the fibre surface and the
hydrated products make main contribution to the strength at the interface. It is known that the
interface roughness plays an important role in reinforced soil systems.
Liquid limit and Plastic limit tests have been carried
out by adding various
percentage of Coir-flyash mix to Black cotton soil. The Liquid limit of Black cotton alone
is45.7%. The liquid limit of Black cotton soil decreases with the addition of Coir-flyash mix.
The liquid limit of Black cotton soil mixed with various percentage of Coir-flyash matrix is
as shown in the table5.11 and figure5.10.
Table 5.11: Plasticity characteristics of Coir fiber + Flyash Stabilized BC Soil
COIR FIBRE% +
FLYASH%
0.1% + 5%
0.15% + 10%
0.2% + 15%
0.25% + 20%
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
45.73
44.86
44.11
43.56
22.46
23.16
23.83
24.23
23.27
21.7
20.28
19.33
percentage of Coir fiber + Flyash.
5.3.1.12Effect of FlyAsh on lime stabilised black cotton soil

A mixture of fly ash and soil, when stabilised using lime is called lime FlyAsh
Stabilised Soil (IRC: SP: 20-2002). This material can be used for constructing sub-base or
base course of rural roads. The use of stabilised fly ash sub/base course would be particularly
attractive in locations where flyash is easily available and supplies of aggregates are
unavailable or expensive. It is possible to construct lime flyash stabilised layer without
admixing soil for sub-base layer. This would increase the utilisation of flyash and also
prevent usage of topsoil.
To study the effect LimeFlyAsh on plasticity characteristics of soil, different percentages of
Lime and fly ash viz., 1%,2%,3%,4%and 5%,10%,15%and20% were mixed respectively with
soil and liquid limit and plastic limits were determined. The variation of liquid limit and
plasticity index are shown in Table 5.11 and figure 5.12 respectively.It is seen in figure
5.11that with the increase in percentage of Limeflyash, there is reduction in liquid limit and
plasticity index of soil-Lime mixture.
Table 5.12: Plasticity characteristics of Flyash and Lime Stabilized BC Soil

LIME + FLYASH %
Liquid Limit
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
1% + 5%
2% + 10%
3% + 15%
4% + 20%
48.32
46.89
44.53
43.62
17.96
19.13
20.08
21.16
30.36
27.76
24.45
22.46
percentage of Flyash + Lime
5.3.2Compaction Characteristics
In any highway engineering work, the construction of the embankment or subgrade is
a very important activity. The earth work constitutes 30% of the cost of the road project. The
road pavement directly rests on the artificially prepared soil subgrade and thus derives
considerable strength from it. The adequate design and construction of embankment is
therefore the key to the successful performance of roads.
Importance of adequate compaction of earth work:
The properties of soil used in the roads are improved by a process called stabilization. This is
done either by mechanical means by compaction or by adding additives or chemical to soil
due to compaction the air present in the soil is expelled to bring the soil grains to denser state.
Compaction results in an increase in heavy axle load carrying capacity of the pavement. A
densified subgrade soil mass undergoes little change in volume under traffic loads, thus
minimizing deformation and maintaining good rideability characteristics of the pavement
surface. A compacted soil reduces the ingress of water, thereby making the subgrade less
vulnerable to changes in moisture conditions. Well compacted subgrade results in economy of
the pavement thickness. Proper compaction results in an overall increase of the economy of
the road project.
Factors influencing the compaction of soil:
A given soil can be compacted by several methods resulting in different degrees of
compaction. Similarly a type of compaction applied to different soils may again yield varied
degrees of compaction. This suggests that there are many factors, which have a bearing on the
degree of the compaction.

Compaction Effort:
Compaction which is the process of packing soils closer depends upon the energy applied per
unit weight of soil. The higher the energy input, the greater is the compaction this is true for
all types of soils and all methods of compaction. The energy input depends on the weight of
the rammer the height of fall and the number of blows in the case of laboratory compaction.
Effect of moisture content:
The behavior of the soil at different moisture contents can be explained as follows, when the
moisture content is low, the soil is stiff and difficult to compress thus low dry density and
high air contents are obtained. As the moisture content increases the water acts as a lubricant,
causing the soil to soften and become more workable. This results in higher dry densities and
lower air contents. As the air content becomes less the water and air in combination tend to
keep the particles apart and present any appreciable decrease in air content. The total voids
however continue to increase with the moisture content and hence the dry density of the soil
falls. Well graded materials have relatively sharp moisture-density curves, on the other hand
soils which are poorly graded or uniformly graded have relatively flat moisture-density
curves.
Effect of soil type:
Type of soil has a great influence on its compaction characteristics. Normally heavy clays and
silts offer higher resistance to compaction, whereas sandy soils and coarse grained or gravelly
soils are amenable for easy compaction. The coarse grained soils yield higher densities in
comparison of a clay soils. The gradation of the soil is an important factor. A well graded soil
gets compacted with lesser compactive effort to higher densities. Therefore coarse grained
soils without any fines may not be able to attain high density.
Compaction is the process of the density of the soil by packing the particles closer
together with reduction in the volume of air. Densification of soil improves their engineering
properties. Various advantages of compaction of soils include (i) reduction of subsidence
from the reduced void ratio, (ii) increase in soil strength, (iii) reduction in the settlement.
The modified proctor tests were performed on the selected soil,Cement,PPF,RBI-81
and Various combination as presented in Experimental Programme, after the preparation of
mixture in accordance with the specification laid in IS2720(part-8)1980 to study the
compaction characteristics. The maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content
values obtained by conducting these tests for untreated soil and soil treated with different
percentages of additives are shown in Table. The variation of maximum dry density and
optimum moisture content with the increase in percentage of fly ash is shown in Figure
respectively
5.3.2.1 Effect of Cement on compaction characteristics of BC soil

Ordinary Portland cement is composed of calcium-silicates
and calcium-aluminates
that when combined with water, hydrate to form the cementing compounds of calciumsilicate hydrate and calcium-aluminate hydrate as well as calcium hydroxide(lime). Because
of the cementitious material as well as the calcium hydroxide formed, Portland cement may
be successful in stabilizing both granular and fine grained soils. A pozzolonic reaction
between the calcium hydroxide released during hydration and soil alumina and soil silica
occurs in fine- grained clay soils and is an important aspect of the stabilization of these soils.
Compaction tests have been carried out on BC soil alone. The Maximum dry density
of BC soil alone is 16.7KN/m3 and optimum moisture content of 20.08%. on addition of
Cement to Black cotton soil the maximum dry density increases as shown in Table 5.13
and figure5.12 and AS per IRC 50-1973is a code of Recommended design criteria for the
use of Cement-Modified soil In Road construction at clause 2.2 it has been shown that
even with small concentrations of cement, of the order of 2 to 3% a soil could develop
adequate strength to satisfy the requirement of a road sub-base. Since the test is stopped at
8% cement content.
Table 5.13: MDD Values
Percentage of Cement
OMC Values for Black Cotton Soil with Various
Fig 5.12: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of
Cement
5.3.2.2 Effect of RBI-81 on compaction characteristics of black cotton soil

Compaction tests have been carried out by adding RBI-81 to Black cotton soil, the
MDD
Sl.N0
SOIL
OMC (%)
(g/cc)
1
BC Soil + 2% Cement
1.74
20.56
BC Soil + 4% Cement
1.77
21.82
BC Soil + 6% Cement
1.78
22.00
BC Soil + 8% Cement
1.79
22.18
maximum dry density and Optimum moisture content increases with increase in RBI-81
content. From the Table 5.14 the maximum dry density for 2%, 4%, 6% & 8% of RBI mixed
with soil have increased by 4.19%, 5.38%, 5.38% & 5.98% respectively as compared to the
MDD for soil alone, whereas the OMC for 2%, 4%, 6% & 8% have increase by 5.02%,
9.56%, 12.05% & 16.83% respectively as compared to the OMC for soil alone.
Table 5.14: MDD Values and OMC Values for Black Cotton Soil with Various
Percentage of RBI-81
Fig 5.13: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of RBI
5.3.2.3 Effect of randomly distributed, discrete polypropylene Fibers(PPF) on

compaction
characteristics of black cotton soil
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil + 2% RBI-81
1.74
21.09
BC Soil + 4% RBI-81
1.76
22.00
BC Soil + 6% RBI-81
1.76
22.50
BC Soil + 8% RBI-81
1.77
23.46
Sl.N0
The MDD of BC soil decreases and Optimum moisture content increases with
increase in percent of polypropylene, this compaction test results in Table5.15 and figure 5.14
showed that the fibers increased the resistance to densification, when a constant compactive
effort was applied to samples with increasing fiber content, the strength either increased
hardly at all or actually decreased. This was caused by the concomitant increase in porosity
that occurred with increasing fiber content. Rather OMC of BC soil increases because
Polypropylene is a synthetic, inorganic material it want absorb water un like in natural coir
fiber.
Percentage of PPF
Sl.N0
1
SOIL
Fibers
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
1.848
15.35

Fibers
1.820
15.41

Fibers
1.806
16.545

Fibers
1.794
16.81

Fibers
1.783
17.43
Fig-5.14: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of
Polypropylene fibres.
5.3.2.4 Effect of Cement on compaction characteristics of RBI-81 stabilised BC soil

From the Table 5.16 and Figure5.15 the maximum dry density for 1%, 2%, 3% & 4%
of cement content and 1%, 2%, 3% & 4% of RBI content mixed with soil have increased by
4.19%, 5.38%, 5.98% & 7.78% respectively as compared to the MDD for soil alone, whereas
the OMC for 2%, 4%, 6% & 8% have increase by 2.39%, 9.36%, 11.15% & 13.34%
respectively as compared to the OMC for soil alone.
Percentage of Cement + RBI
Sl.N0
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil + 1% Cement + 1% RBI-81
1.74
20.56
1.76
21.96
1.77
22.32
1.8
22.76
Cement + RBI
5.3.2.5Effect of randomly distributed PPF on compaction characteristics of black cotton
soil and cement
The results of the test shows that the behavior of both cemented and uncemented soils
(Table 5.17 and Table 5.15) are significantly influenced by fiber reinforcement. In general
addition of cement to soil increases stiffness, brittleness and peak strength and further
addition of fiber increases both the peak and residual strength, decreases stiffness, and
changes the cemented brittle behavior to a more ductile one. This can be better understood in
Stress v/s Strain relationship.
Percentage of Cement + PPF
Sl.N0
1
2
3
4
SOIL
MDD (g/cc) OMC (%)
BC Soil + 1% Cement +
1.72
21.56
0.25% PPF
1.73
21.42
0.50% PPF
1.8
19.36
0.75% PPF
BC Soil + 4% Cement + 1%
1.78
18.96
PPF
Cement + PPF.
5.3.2.6Effect of PPF on compaction characteristics of BC soil & RBI-81

Here also same observation can be made, addition of RBI-81 to soil increases
stiffness, brittleness and peak strength and further addition of fiber increases both the peak
and residual strength, decreases stiffness, and changes the cemented brittle behavior to a more
ductile one.
Percentage of RBI + PPF
Sl.N0
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil + 1% RBI + 0.25% PPF
1.69
20.88
1.7
21.33
1.81
18.6
BC Soil + 4% RBI + 1% PPF
1.78
19
RBI & PPF.
5.3.2.7Effect of randomly distributed discrete coir fiber on compaction characteristics of

BC soil
Optimum moisture content of soil increases by increase in percentage of randomly
distributed discrete coir fiber. It is due to the volume of soil is replaced by absorptive
chemosphere of dry coir fiber. As the percentage of coir fiber increases the MDD values of
soil increases up to 0.3percent and then reduces on further addition of coir fiber, this may be
partly due to the resistance offered by the adhesion between the soil and coir surface and
partly by the friction between the soil grains, With further increase in coir content, the soilfiber adhesion and frictional resistance of soil grains decreases due to the increased water
content in the soil-coir matrix resulting in decrease in the MDD value further it is due to the
volume of soil replaced by the low density of coir fiber. Similar conclusions were drawn by
(lekha et al). one of the main advantages of using randomly distributed fiber is the
maintenance of strength isotropy and absence of potential planes of weakness that can
develop parallel to the oriented reinforcement unlike geotextiles or geomembranes.
The main advantages of coir fibers compared to other natural fibers are its high initial
strength, stiffness, and hydraulic properties. If the requirement is for a shorter period, then
coir is the best choice due its biodegradability compared to synthetic fibers. If it has to be
used for longer period, then chemical treatment and polymer coating will improve the life of
the coir product. Hence, we propose to conduct tests to quantify the improvement in
engineering properties of expansive soil due to the addition of coir fibers. Table 5.19 shows
the compaction test results, on addition of coir to the BC soil, maximum dry density increases
up to 0.3percent and then reduces on further addition of coir fiber; this may be partly due to
the resistance offered by the adhesion between the soil and coir surface and partly by the
friction between the soil grains. With further increase in coir content, the soil-coir adhesion
and frictional resistance of soil grains decreases due to the increased water content in the soilcoir matrix resulting in decrease in the MDD value.
Table 5.19: MDD and OMC Values for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of
Coir fiber.
Sl.N0
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil Alone + 0.2% COIR FIBER
1.74
18.42
BBC Soil Alone + 0.3% COIR FIBER
1.77
18.83
1.70
18.93
1.69
19.75
Fig 5.18: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of Coir fiber
5.3.2.8Effect of Lime on compaction characteristics of BC soil
The main benefits of using lime to stabilize clays are improved workability and
volume stability [IRC SP 2002] if the plasticity of soil is high there usually sufficient clay
minerals which can be readily stabilized by lime. In such cases cement is more difficult to
mix intimately with plastic material [IRC SP 89-2010]. workability is improved because
flocculation makes the clay more friable this assists combination for effective mixing and
compaction. The compaction curve for lime treated clay is generally flatter, which makes
moisture control less critical and reduces the variability of density produced [KA Nadagouda
et al] the compaction test results presented in table 5.2 and fig 5.19 reveals the same
agreement with above discussions, the maximum dry density of soil alone is 16.7kn/m 3 on
addition of 2% lime marginally increases the MDD of BC soil to 16.8 kn/m 3. Further MDD
increases marginally to 16.9 kn/m3 as the lime content is increased to another 2% , the
maximum dry density is equal to 16.9% kn/m3 after adding another 2% lime then the MDD
reduces to 16.8 kn/m3 for 8% lime addition. From the above results the optimum lime content
can be fixed in between 3 to 4% therefore addition of lime did not improve much on the
compaction characteristics of the soil under investigation.
From the test results shown in the Table5.20 and Fig 5.19, it is observed that there is
not much variation in maximum dry density with addition of lime when compared with BC
soil alone but optimum moisture content decreased with the addition of lime.
Percentage of Lime
MDD
Sl.N0
SOIL
(g/cc)
1.68
OMC (%)
1.69
16.97
1.69
16.35
1.68
15.59
16.19
Fig 5.19: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of Lime
5.3.2.9Effect of Fly ash on compaction characteristics of BC soil
The compaction tests were performed on the BC soil and soil-flyash mixture
immediately after the preparation of soil fly ash mixture in accordance with the specification
to study the effect of fly ash on the compaction characteristics. The maximum dry density and
the optimum moisture content values obtained by conducting these tests soil treated with
different percentages of fly ash are shown in Table5.21 and figure 5.20. On addition of fly ash
to Block cotton soil, maximum dry density increases up to 20% and then reduces on further
addition of fly ash. This may be due to decrease in repulsive pressure of soil, which resists
compactive effort. Consequently soil becomes closer in spite of lower specific gravity the
increase is observed. Thus the decrease in the void ratio would be much more reflected in the
increase in the maximum dry density. The optimum moisture content has reduced from
17.87% to17%. With decrease in repulsive pressure and due to addition of flyash with lower
water adsorption capacity, the optimum moisture content of the mixture decreases.
Percentage of Flyash
Sl.N0
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil Alone + 10% FLYASH
1.737
17.87
1.796
17.43
1.765
17.08
Flyash
5.3.2.10Effect of Coir fiber on compaction characteristics of lime stabilised BC soil

By providing fiber reinforcement to the soil-lime mix the maximum dry density increases to
1.76 g/cc from 1.69 g/cc as presented in Table 5.20 and Table 5.22 this shows that the
behavior of both lime treated and untreated soils are significantly influenced by fiber
reinforcement. In general addition of lime to soil increases stiffness, brittleness and peak
strength and further addition of fiber increases both the peak and residual strength, decreases
stiffness, and changes the brittle behavior to a more ductile one. This can be better understood
in Stress v/s Strain relationship.
Percentage of Coir fiber & Lime
MDD
OMC
(g/cc)
(%)
BC Soil Alone + 0.1% COIR FIBER + 1% LIME
1.71
18.21
1.76
18.73
1.72
19.23
1.69
19.75
Sl.N0
SOIL
Coir fiber & Lime
5.3.2.11Effect of Coir fiber on compaction characteristics of BC soil and Fly ash

By coir fiber reinforcement to the soil-fly ash mix it is observed that Maximum dry
density increases to 1.81g/cc from 1.76g/cc as shown in Table 5.21 and Table 5.23,this clearly
shows that the behavior of fly ash treated soil and untreated soil are significantly influenced
by fiber inclusion.
Percentage of Coir fiber &Flyash
MDD
OMC
BC Soil Alone + 0.1% COIR FIBER + 5% FLYASH
(g/cc)
1.76
(%)
17.23
1.78
16.97
1.81
16.23
1.77
16.01
Sl.N0
SOIL
Fig-5.22: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentage of Coir
fiber & Flyash
5.3.2.12Effect of Fly ash on compaction characteristics of BC soil& lime

In this study the maximum dry density reaches up to 1.79g/cc at a proportion of
2%lime:10%flyash:88%BC soil and then reduces on further addition of lime and fly
ash, This may be due to decrease in repulsive pressure of soil, which resists
compactive effort. Consequently soil becomes closer in spite of lower specific gravity
the increase is observed. Thus the decrease in the void ratio would be much more
reflected in the increase in the maximum dry density
Percentage of Flyash + Lime
Sl.N0
SOIL
MDD (g/cc)
OMC (%)
BC Soil Alone + 1% LIME + FLYASH 5%
1.76
16.43
1.79
16.78
1.77
16.56
2
3
BC Soil Alone + 2% LIME + FLYASH

10%
15%

20%
1.73
Fig-5.23: MDD and OMC for Black Cotton Soil with Various Percentages of Flyash
16.33
&Lime
5.3.3 Strength properties of black cotton soil treated with cement and other additives
The strength properties of black cotton soil treated with various percentages of
Cement and other additives have been studied. The strength of the soil depends on density
and compactive effort.
5.3.3.1Effect of Cement on Black cotton soil
Unconfined compression strength tests were conducted on compacted specimens with
varying cement contents and cured for 3,7,14 and 28 days, at the end of each curing period. It
has been observed that at higher curing periods and at higher cement content there is
significant increase in strength ie from 310 kn/m2 for zero day to 1934 kn/m2 for 28 days
curing. This is because during the process which led to greater hydration opportunities ie
longer curing periods resulted in relatively large increase in strength. From table 5.25 we can
observe the interaction between the curing and cement content, the significance of this
interaction shows that the increase in compressive strength is not solely due to the period of
moist curing but depends to a significant degree on the cement content used in this work. It
can be seen from figure 5.24
That the strength increased with increasing curing period but this was more in specimens
containing 8 percent cement than those containing 2,4,6 percent cement by dry weight of soil.
Thus the advantage of increase in strength with period of curing is not fully unless adequate
quantity of cement is present, addition of cement however is generally limited by the

economics of the project and also by considerations of severe shrinkage crack.
Table 5.25: Unconfined Compressive Strength Values for Cement stabilized soil sample
Cement
Percentage
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
126
294
329
346
448
246
628
758
983
1057
249
870
960
1296
1460
310
1229
1558
1791
1934
Fig 5.24: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentages of Cement
5.3.3.2Effect of RBI-81 on Black cotton soil
Table 5.26: Unconfined Compressive Strength of RBI-81 stabilized soil sample
Fig 5.25: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of RBI-81
RBI-81
Unconfined Compressive Strength (Pa)
Percentage
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
140
281
320
387
443
.3.3
181
488
597
699
917
Eff
194
599
786
924
1211
235
907
1350
1568
1722
5.3
ect
of
PPF on Black cotton soil

The stress strain curves obtained in UCC tests are given in figure for the unreinforced
samples and for the fiber reinforced ones. It is readily observed from figure that the overall
soil behavior is significantly influenced by the investigated variables. Like peak strength,
stiffness, brittleness and residual response changed as a consequence of either the separate or
the joined effects of fiber and soil. The general pattern can be better observed from
compaction curves, the most impressive advantage of fiber reinforcement when applied to
clay soil is the remarkable improvement of ductility of the material at optimum moisture
content and even at the dry of optimum, which is very significant since the volumetric
response lies between those observed for non reinforced specimen and reinforced specimen.
This response can be observed from compaction curves.
Table 5.27: Unconfined Compressive Strength of PPF stabilized soil sample

Particulars
UCS Test Values(Pa)
BC SOIL + 0.5%
Polypropylene
Fibers
152.63
BC SOIL + 1.0%
161.93
BC SOIL + 1.5%
183.05
BC SOIL + 2.0%
232.33
BC SOIL + 2.5%
187.32
Fig-5.26: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Black Cotton Soil Treated With Various
Percentages of Polypropylene Fibers
5.3.3.3Effect of Cement and RBI-81 on Black cotton soil

Table 5.28: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cement+RBI-81 stabilized soil sample
Cement +RBI
Percentage
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
132
298
328
378
452
225
487
612
828
1006
239
643
886
1034
1372
302
1033
1444
1623
1894
Fig 5.27: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Cement+RBI-81
5.3.3.4Effect of cement and PPF on black cotton soil

Table 5.29: Unconfined compressive strength of cement&PPF stabilized soil sample
Cement +PPF
Percentage

Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
1% + 0.25%
139
269
333
382
463
2% + 0.50%
197
404
602
831
946
3% + 0.75%
232
612
841
1123
1332
4% + 1%
246
934
1444
1697
1938
Fig 5.28: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Cement+PPF
5.3.3.5 Effect of RBI-81 and PPF on black cotton soil
Table 5.30: Unconfined compressive strength of RBI&PPF stabilized soil sample
RBI +PPF
Percentage

Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
1% + 0.25%
125
242
341
378
412
2% + 0.50%
176
383
581
796
904
3% + 0.75%
204
586
834
1083
1292
4% + 1%
225
864
1448
1664
1866
Fig 5.29: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of RBI+PPF
5.3.3.6 Effect of coir fiber on black cotton soil

A typical variation of unconfined compressive strength with curing period is presented in
fig5.30. It has been observed that addition of coir fiber with aspect ratio five hundred have
shown significant increase in the unconfined compressive strength with curing period.
Figure 5.30 shows stress-strain behavior of all composite specimens. It can be seen that the
BC soil reinforced with coir fiber will increase its strain carrying capacity after post peak
strength. The increase in strength of bc soil reinforced with fiber is quite predictable since the
technique primarily involves the introduction of primary material in a weak soil and it is in
accordance with the observation of Porbha etal (2001) and Vinod etal (2007).
The optimum fiber content of fiber reinforced BC soil determined by unconfined compressive
strength result tested immediately as presented in table 5.31 was 0.3percent. however the
unconfined compressive strength value increases with increase in percentage of coir fiber and
curing days.
Table 5.31: Unconfined compressive strength values for coir fiber stabilized soil sample
BC SOIL + COIR
FIBRE %
Immediate 3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
0.2%
164.21
168
224
288
324
0.3%
198.44
284
484
596
658
0.4%
133.61
366
642
836
932
0.5%
118
330
408.98
830.55
1180.87
Fig 5.30: Unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil treated with various
Percentages of coir fibers
5.3.3.6 Effect of lime on black cotton soil

The unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil treated with various percentage of
lime up to 28 days of curing has been studied. The unconfined strength values for various
percentages of lime for different curing period are shown in table 5.32. as seen from the
fig5.31, the strength of black cotton soil increases with 2% of lime both on immediate testing
and with curing, with the further addition of lime the strength of black cotton soil increases.
Increase in strength of black cotton soil with increase in percentage of lime has been
attributed to the formation of calcium silicate, hydrates and aluminates by reaction of black
cotton soil silica and alumina with calcium.
Table 5.32: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Lime stabilized soil sample
LIME %

Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
2%
162.63
172.13
252.32
315.15
398.68
4%
187.24
213.45
510.23
609.98
663.76
6%
176.59
372.54
653.14
845.98
939.68
8%
165.1
431.06
732.78
1090.98
1278.54
Fig 5.31: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Lime
5.3.3.7 Effect of Fly ash on Black cotton soil

The unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil increases up to 20% addition of
flyash beyond 20% addition the unconfined compressive strength decreases. The unconfined
compressive strength of 20% addition of flyash is 85.65kn/m3 when tested immediately
which is less than unconfined compressive strength of bc soil alone. The UCS of blackcotton
soil alone is 104kn/m3,after three days of curing it can be observed that the strength of black
cotton soil and flyash is 105.64kn/m3 which is little higher than black cotton soil alone.
further after 28days of curing it can be observed that the strength of black cotton soil and
20% by weight of flyash is 345kn/m 2, the strength increase is almost three times the black
cotton soil, figure 5.32 shows clearly the increase of strength of black cotton soil and flyash
mixtures. Thus the improvement in the strength of black cotton soil by flyash is due to the
hydration of its cementitious phases.
Table 5.33: UCS Test values for Black Cotton Soil with Flyash
BC SOIL +
FLYASH%
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
10%
75.18
98.63
109.45
215.58
298.76
20%
85.65
105.64
189.53
278.98
345.65
30%
77.34
101.65
113.65
221.45
315.45
Table 5.32: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Flyash stabilized soil sample
5.3.3.8 Effect of Coir on lime stabilized black cotton soil

Table 5.34: Unconfined compressive strength of coir fibre & Lime stabilized soil sample
LIME+COIR
FIBRE %
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
1% + 0.1%
123.32
168.09
224.12
308
367.46
2% + 0.15%
161.44
284.11
484.43
616.76
658.65
3% + 0.2%
164.03
366.34
642.12
889.54
932.87
4% + 0.25%
198.83
422.21
724.9
1130.76
1289.09
Fig 5.33: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Coir fiber + Lime
5.3.3.9 Effect of coir on fly ash stabilized black cotton soil

Table 5.35: Unconfined compressive strength of coir fiber &flyash stabilized soil sample
COIR FIBRE% +
FLYASH%
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
0.1% + 5%
103.36
168.3
224.12
288.45
324.32
0.15% + 10%
152.21
284.07
484.98
596.22
623.89
0.2% + 15%
198.63
310.12
642.56
986.59
1003.76
0.25% + 20%
158.61
350.32
710.67
1120
1210.43
Fig 5.34: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Coir fiber + Flyash
5.3.3.10 Effect of Fly ash and lime on Black cotton soil
Table 5.36: Unconfined compressive strength of lime & flyash stabilized soil sample
LIME + FLYASH
Immediate
3-Days
7-Days
14-Days
28-Days
1% + 5%
210.13
378.65
467.52
597.23
723.45
2% + 10%
232.07
415.34
567.83
698.45
813.64
3% + 15%
227.83
407.89
545.37
673.92
796.41
4% + 20%
218.19
388.65
498.54
630.45
735.45
Fig 5.35: Effect of Curing period on UCS for Various Percentage of Lime + Flyash.
5.1 Black cotton soil:
After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil it is found that
Liquid Limit is 45.70 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 22.14. Hence treating it as medium
clayey soil.
The MDD and OMC of Black Cotton Soil are 16.38 KN/m 3 and 20.08%, for this
OMC & MDD the value of CBR was found to be 3.00%
From the test conducted it can be observed that, the UCS parameters of the BC soil
alone is 104.06 KN/m3
From the present investigation it is found that the Co-efficient of Elastic Uniform
Compression is 31330 KN/m3 for BC soil alone.
From the present investigation it is found that the Modulus of subgrade reaction is
8.00 KN/m3 for BC soil alone.
From the present investigation it is found that the Modulus of elasticity is found to be
6672.66 KN/m2 for BC soil alone.
5.2
CEMENT:
1. After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil + Cement, it is
found that Liquid Limit is 44.90 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 24.16.
2. The MDD and OMC of Black Cotton Soil are 17.56 KN/m3 and 22.18%
3. The UCS parameters of the soil increases upto 8% of Cement and further decreases
with increase in percentage of Cement. And mode of failure changing from brittle to
ductile.
4. California Bearing Ratio of the soil increases upto 8% of Cement and further
decreases with increase in percentage of Cement.
5. It is found that the value of CBR increases 67.95% with the addition of cement to
the BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
6. From the present investigation it is found that the Co-efficient of Elastic Uniform
Compression is 56000 KN/m3 in case of Cement.
7. It is found that the value of C u increases 44.10% with the addition of Cement to the
BC soil when compare with the BC soil alone.
8. From the present investigation it is found that the Modulus of subgrade reaction is
12.00 KN/m3 for BC soil + Cement
9. From the present investigation it is found that the Modulus of elasticity is found to
be 10008.99 KN/m2 for BC soil + Cement.
5.3
ROAD BUILDING INTERNATIONAL GRADE - 81:
After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil + RBI, it is found
that Liquid Limit is 44.60 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 23.90.
The MDD and OMC of Black Cotton Soil are 17.36 KN/m3 and 23.46%
From the test conducted it can be observed that, the UCS parameters of the soil
increases upto 8% of RBI and further decreases with increase in percentage of RBI.
California Bearing Ratio of the soil increases upto 8% of RBI and further decreases
with increase in percentage of RBI.
It is found that the value of CBR increases 41.35% with the addition of RBI to the
BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
It is found that the Co-efficient of Elastic Uniform Compression is 53340 KN/m3 in

case of RBI.
It is found that the value of Cu increases 41.26% with the addition of RBI to the BC
soil when compare with the BC soil alone.
8.40 KN/m3 for BC soil +RBI.
7006.29 KN/m2 for BC soil + RBI.
5.4
POLYPROPYLENE FIBERS:
After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil + PPF, it is found
that Liquid Limit is 46.6 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 24.1.
The MDD and OMC of Black Cotton Soil are 18.12 KN/m3 and 15.35%.
The above study shows that the OMC of the soil increases with the percentage of
increase in Polypropylene Fibers and MDD decreases with the percentage of increase
in Polypropylene Fiber.
The UCS parameters of the soil increases upto 2% of polypropylene fibers & further
decreases with increase in percentage of PPF.
CBR of the soil increases upto 2% of polypropylene fibers & further decreases with
increase in percentage of Polypropylene Fibers.
It is found that the value of CBR increases 27.29% with the addition of PPF to the
BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
Compression is 39020 KN/m3.
It is found that the value of Cu increases 19.74% with the addition of PPF to the BC
soil when compare with the BC soil alone.
20.80 KN/m3 for BC soil + PPF.
17348.92 KN/m2 for BC soil + PPF.
5.5
CEMENT and RBI:
After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil + Cement + RBI, it
is found that Liquid Limit is 44.74 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 24.01
From the test conducted it can be observed that, the UCS parameters of the soil
increases upto 4% of Cement + 4% of RBI and further decreases with increase in
percentage of Cement + RBI.
California Bearing Ratio of the soil increases upto 4% of Cement + 4% of RBI and
further decreases with increase in percentage of Cement + RBI.
It is found that the value of CBR increases 63.50% with the addition of cement + RBI
to the BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
Compression is higher (Cu - 48120 KN/m3) in case of Cement + RBI.
It is found that the value of Cu increases 34.92% with the addition of Cement + RBI
to the BC soil when compare with the BC soil alone.
9.60 KN/m3 for BC soil + CEMENT + RBI.
8007.19 KN/m2 for BC soil + CEMENT + RBI.
5.6
CEMENT and PPF:
After conducting the physical properties test on Black Cotton Soil + Cement + PPF, it
is found that Liquid Limit is 44.62 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 22.64.
The UCS parameters of the soil increases upto 4% of Cement + 1% of PPF and
further decreases with increase in percentage of RBI.
California Bearing Ratio of the soil increases upto 4% of Cement + 1% of PPF and
further decreases with increase in percentage of Cement + PPF.
It is found that the value of CBR increases 60.40% with the addition of cement + PPF
to the BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
Compression is 37750 KN/m3 in case of Cement + PPF than when compare to BC soil
alone.
It is found that the value of Cu increases 16.97% with the addition of Cement + PPF
to the BC soil when compare with the BC soil alone.
11.60 KN/m3 for BC soil + CEMENT + PPF.
9675.36 KN/m2 for BC soil + CEMENT + PPF.
5.7
RBI and PPF:
After conducting the physical properties test on BC Soil + RBI + PPF, it is found that
Liquid Limit is 44.34 and Plastic Limit of Soil is 23.82
The MDD and OMC of Black Cotton Soil are 17.75 KN/m3 and 18.60%
The OMC of the soil increases with the increase in the percentage of RBI + PPF and
MDD decreases with increase in percentage RBI + PPF.
The OMC of Black Cotton Soil increases with increased percentage of RBI + PPF
because of increase in the surface area due to addition of fibers to the soil.
The UCS parameters of the soil increases upto 4% of RBI+ 1% PPF and further
decreases with increase in percentage of RBI + PPF.
CBR of the soil increases upto 4% of RBI + 1% of PPF and further decreases with
increase in percentage of Road building international + Polypropylene Fibers.
It is found that the value of CBR increases 40.22% with the addition of RBI + PPF to
the BC soil compare with BC soil alone.
Compression is very high (Cu - 50430 KN/m3) in case of RBI + PPF.
It is found that the value of Cu increases 37.89% with the addition of RBI + PPF to
the BC soil when compared with the BC soil alone.
10.80 KN/m3 for BC soil + RBI + PPF.
9008.09 KN/m2 for BC soil + RBI + PPF.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the laboratory investigation indicated that the inclusion of fibers in the
soils improved the unconfined compressive strength.
Effect of polypropylene on compaction characteristics:
The effect of addition of polypropylene to black cotton soil on maximum dry density
and optimum moisture content depends upon the changes in strength fabric repulsive
force. Thus the transition at which decrease or increase of maximum dry density with
change in optimum moisture content in a particular soil mixture depends upon the
changes in strength-fabric and repulsive forces
Cement was used as a chemical agent 4 percent cement content with respect to weight
of soil 1 percent polypropylene fiber content was observed to give maximum
compressive strength of 1938kn/m for 28days.
When soil was combined only with cement, without using fiber, 8 percent cement
content was observed to give maximum compressive strength of 1934kn/m for
28days.
With the use of polypropylene fiber to cemented soil it was observed that there is
increase in the compressive strength and mode of failure changes from brittle to
ductile.
The strain required to mobilise peak strength is more in case of fiber reinforced
specimen than when compared to unreinforced specimen.
The soaked CBR of the soil treated with 2 percent cement alone increased to 7.57
percent from 4.56 percent on addition of 0.5 percent polypropylene fiber tested for
zero days curing.
The addition of cement increases the UCC and soaked CBR of the expansive soil.
Further with the addition of polypropylene fiber to cement stabilized expansive soil
the UCC and soaked CBR increases up to 60 percent.
Polypropylene fibers resist the shrinkage cracks that will appear when cement was
used as stabilizer.
The strength gained by black cotton soil when stabilized with 8 percent cement is
even less than the strength gained by adding 1 percent polypropylene fiber with 4
percent cement to the same soil.
In the case of RBI+PPF stabilization in black cotton soil, the optimum moisture
content increases and the maximum dry density decreases.

When cement is used in the BC soil improves the unconfined compressive strength of
the specimens and UCS value increases as the cement content increases. Adding of
Cement to the BC soil reduces the liquid limit and increases plastic limit of soil.
With increase in the proportion of performance enhancer RBI Grade-81, CBR values
are increased.
Even though the cost of RBI Grade-81 stabilizer is more when compared to other
conventional stabilizers it gives more strength to the pavement thereby decreasing its
thickness.
The strain required to mobilize peak strength is more in case of reinforced specimen
than when compared to unreinforced specimen.

Thickness required for pavement with stabilized soil subgrade is much lesser than un-
stabilized soil subgrade.

Compression is higher in case of Cement, than when compare to other stabilizers,
hence it can be concluded that Cement is having better Cyclic resistance.

It is found that the Modulus of subgrade reaction is higher in case of PPF, than when
compare to other stabilizers.

From the present investigation it is found that the Modulus of elasticity is higher in
case of PPF, than when compare to other stabilizers.

Cement is preferred for the most cases to improve the soil characteristics & for higher
life span of the pavement.

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CHAPTER 5

Effect of coir fiber and other additives on the Geotechnical Properties of

5.2 Experimental Programme

Table 5.1 Experimental Programme for BC Soil and Additives

Curing period in Days

Specific Gravity, LL, PL, SL, Grain size

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

BC soil +2% Cement

Table 5.1 Experimental Programme for BC Soil and Additives

Curing period in Days

Specific Gravity, LL, PL, SL, Grain size

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

BC soil +0.2%Coir Fiber

Liquid limit, Plastic limit,

BC Soil+0.2% CoirFiber+15% FlyAsh

Liquid limit, Plastic limit

BC soil +4% Lime+20%FlyAsh

5.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

5.3.1 Liquid Limit

5.3.1.1 Effect of cement on black cotton soil

Table 5.3 Plasticity characteristics of RBI-81 Stabilized BC Soil

5.3.1.3 Effect of polypropylene fibre (PPF) on black cotton soil

BC Soil Alone+0.5% Polypropylene Fibers

BC Soil Alone+1.0% Polypropylene Fibers

BC Soil Alone+1.5% Polypropylene Fibers

BC Soil Alone+2.0% Polypropylene Fibers

BC Soil Alone+2.5% Polypropylene Fibers

5.3.1.4 Effect of cement and RBI-81 on BC soil

Table 5.4: Plasticity characteristics of Cement + RBI Stabilized BC Soil

5.3.1.5 Effect of Polypropylene fiber on cement stabilised BC soil.

Table 5.5: Plasticity characteristics of Cement + PPF Stabilized BC Soil

Table 5.6: Plasticity characteristics of RBI + PPF Stabilized BC Soil

5.3.1.7 Effect of Coir Fibre on Black cotton soil

Fibrous coir of fine gradation and specific gravity 0.7 was

Table 5.7: Plasticity characteristics of Coir Fiber Stabilized BC Soil

5.3.1.8 Effect of Fly ash on Black cotton soil

Table 5.8 Plasticity characteristics of Flyash Stabilized BC Soil

5.3.1.9 Effect of Lime on Plasticity characteristics Black cotton soil

BC Soil Alone + 2% LIME

BC Soil Alone + 4% LIME

BC Soil Alone + 6% LIME

BC Soil Alone + 8% LIME

5.3.1.10 Effect of coir fiber on lime stabilised black cotton soil.

The dominant mechanism controlling reinforcement benefit seems to be the bond

out by adding various

5.3.1.12Effect of FlyAsh on lime stabilised black cotton soil

Table 5.12: Plasticity characteristics of Flyash and Lime Stabilized BC Soil

percentage of Flyash + Lime

degree of the compaction.

5.3.2.1 Effect of Cement on compaction characteristics of BC soil