i

ABSTRACT
The performance of Flexible Pavement depends on the functions of the component
layers especially sub grade and Sub-base layers. Generally Subbase layers are made up of natural
soils like Gravels. Poor sub grade soil conditions can result in inadequate pavement support and
reduce pavement life. Frequently gravel soils composed of high amount of fines which causes
plasticity characteristics with adsorption of moisture under heavy loads and repeated traffic excess
deformation leading several failure which require huge investment of money for their repairs. To
reduce the excess deformation of the Gravel soils and to increase the life period (Durability) of the
pavement .Soils may be improved through the addition of chemical or cementations additives.
These chemical additives range from waste products to manufactured materials and include lime,
Class C fly ash, Portland cement, cement kiln dust etc. In the present study locally available red
gravel soils were stabilized with the addition of lime. The project work aims to evaluate the effect
of addition of 0% 0.5 %, 1%, 1.5%, 2%,2.5% percentage of lime in order to stabilize the gravel
soil. The overall testing program was conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase, the engineering
properties of gravel soil were studied by conducting sieve analysis, Atterberg limits (liquid limit
and plastic limit), proctor compaction test and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), were studied. In
the second phase of the test program, gravel soil was mixed with 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%,
of lime as percentage of dry weight of gravel soil to know the optimum percentage of lime . By
the addition of lime Plasticity Characteristics were reduced and CBR values were improved.
Addition of 2% of lime make the mix low-plastic, where high CBR values attained. The
investigation showed that generally the engineering properties of gravel soil which improved with
the addition of lime.

Keywords– Gravel soil , lime (Cao),Atterberg limits ,CBR .

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 CONTENTS

CHAPTERS TITLES PAGE NO

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 General 2

1.2 Stabilization 3

1.3 Types of Stabilizations 3

1.3.1 Mechanical Stabilization 3

1.3.2 Stabilization by using different types of admixtures 4

1.4 Flexible pavements 7

1.4.1 Components of flexible pavement 7

1.4.2 Functions of flexible pavement 9

1.5 Materials to be used 10

1.5.1 Gravel 10

1.5.2 Lime 12

1.5.3 Types of limes 14

1.5.4 Chemical compositions 17

1.5.5 Uses of lime 18

CHAPTER 2 LITEWRATURE REVIEW 19

CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY 23

3.1.1 Gravel soil 24

3.1.2 Hydraulic Lime 24

3.2 Methodology 25

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CHAPTER 4 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE 26

4.1 Experimental procedure 27

4.1.1Particle size distribution 27

4.1.2 Atterberg limits 28

4.1.3 Liquid Limit 28

4.1.4 Plastic Limit 29

4.1.5 Heavy Compaction test 30

4.1.6 California bearing ratio test 31

CHAPTER 5 EXPERIMENT5AL INVESTIGATION 33

5.1 Introduction 34

5.2 Laboratory test results on gravel-soil 34

5.2.1 Effect of Lime on Atterberg limits 35

5.2.2Effect of Lime on Compaction properties 38

5.2.3Effect of Lime on California Bearing Ratio Test 40

5.3 Summary 41

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSIONS 42

CHAPTER 7 REFERENCES 44

CHAPTER 8 PHOTOGRAPHS

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 LIST OF TABLES

S.NO CONTENT PAGE NO

Table 1 Chemical composition of Lime 17

Table 2 Physical Properties of Gravel soil 34

Table 3 Index Properties Summary of Gravel Soil blended 36

with various percentages of Lime

Table 4 Effects of Lime on OMC and MDD 39

Table 5 Effect of Lime on CBR value for unsoaked soil 40

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 LIST OF FIGURES

S.NO CONTENT PAGE NO

1. Components of flexible pavement 7

2. Gravel 11

3. Cycle of Lime 14

4. Quick Lime 14

5. Slaked Lime 15

6. Fat Lime 15

7. Gravel soil 24

8. Hydraulic Lime 25

9. liquid limit apparatus 29

10. Plastic limit apparatus 29

11. Heavy compaction test 31

12. California bearing ratio test 32

13. Variation of liquid limit with addition 37

of percentage Lime to the Gravel

14. Variation of plastic limit with addition 37

of percentage Lime to the gravel

15. Variation of plasticity index with addition 38

of percentage Lime to the Gravel

16. Variation of MDD with addition of 39

percentage Lime to the gravel Soil

17. Variation of O M C with addition of 40

percentage Hydraulic Lime to the gravel soil

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18. Variation of CBR value (unsoaked) at 2.5mm 41
penetration with addition percentage Lime to the gravel Soil

vii
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 1|Page

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL:
Pavement design is based on the premise that minimum specified structural quality
will be achieved for each layer of material in the pavement system. Each layer must resist shearing,
avoid excessive deflections that cause fatigue cracking within the layer or in overlying layers, and
prevent excessive permanent deformation through densification. As the quality of a soil layer is
increased, the ability of that layer to distribute the load over a greater area is generally increased
so that a reduction in the required thickness of the soil and surface layers may be permitted. The
foundation of pavement’s upper layers, the subgrade and subbase layers help in mitigating the
adverse effects of climate and the static dynamic stresses generated by traffic. Therefore, building
a stable subgrade and a properly drained subbase is vital for constructing an effective and long
lasting pavement system. Pavement construction on a natural subgrade is the classic case for
pavement design. Consequently, higher quality and generally more expensive materials are used
in the more highly stressed upper layers of all pavement systems, and lower quality and less
expensive materials are used for the deeper layers of the pavement . This optimization of material
usage minimizes construction costs and maximizes the ability to use locally available materials.
However, this approach also requires greater attention to the lower quality layers in the design (i.e.,
the subgrade) in order to reduce life-cycle pavement costs. Good long-term performance of lower
layers means that upper layers can be maintained (rehabilitated) while avoiding the more costly
total reconstruction typically associated with foundation failures. The highway engineer may face
many problems while designing a road pavement due to weak or unstable subgrade material, so to
overcome this problem various methods can be considered. First to improve in-situmaterials by
normal compaction methods and design for the modified properties. Second, import the suitable
materials from the nearest convenient source and replace the site materials. Third, bystabilisation
of existing soil with other material which is one of the economical method.

In developing country like India due to the remarkable development in road infrastructure,
Soil stabilization has become the major issue in construction activity. Stabilization is an
unavoidable for the purpose of highway and runway construction, stabilization denotes

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improvement in both strength and durability which are related to performance. Stabilization is a
method of processing available materials for the production of low-cost road design and
construction.

1.2 Stabilisation:

Soil stabilization is a general term for any physical, chemical, biological, or

combined method of changing a natural soil to meet an engineering purpose by blending and
mixing other materials. Soil stabilization is the process of improving the shear strength parameters
of soil and thus increasing the bearing capacity of soil. It is required when the soil available for
construction is not suitable to carry structural load. Soil stabilization is used to reduce permeability
and compressibility of the soil mass in earth structures and to increase its shear strength. Thus to
reduce the settlement of structures. Soil stabilization involves the use of stabilizing agents (binder
materials) in weak soils to improve its geotechnical properties such as compressibility, strength,
permeability and durability.

1.3 Types of Stabilisation:

Following are the various soil stabilization methods.

1.3.1 Mechanical Stabilization:

Mechanical Stabilization is the process of improving the properties of the soil by

changing its gradation. This process includes soil compaction and densification by application of
mechanical energy using various sorts of rollers, rammers, vibration techniques and sometime
blasting. The stability of the soil in this method relies on the inherent properties of the soil material.
Two or more types of natural soils are mixed to obtain a composite material which is superior to
any of its components. Mechanical stabilization is accomplished by mixing or blending soils of
two or more gradations to obtain a material meeting the required specification.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 3|Page

1.3.2 Stabilization by using different types admixtures:

(1) Lime Stabilization :

Lime provides an economical way of soil stabilization. The method of soil improvement in
which lime is added to the soil to improve its properties is known as lime stabilization. The types
of lime used to the soil are hydrated high calcium lime, monohydrated dolomite lime, calcite quick
lime, dolomite lime, Hydraulic Lime. Lime modification describes an increase in strength brought
by cation exchange capacity rather than cementing effect brought by pozzolanic reaction . Lime
stabilization may refer to pozzolanic reaction in which pozzolana materials reacts with lime in
presence of water to produce cementitious compounds. The effect can be brought by either
quicklime, CaO or hydrated lime, Ca(OH)2. Slurry lime also can be used in dry soils conditions
where water may be required to achieve effective compaction . Quicklime is the most commonly
used lime. The application of lime can significantly improve the engineering properties of soil.
There are essentially two forms of improvement: soil modification and soil stabilization. The use
of lime can modify almost all fine-grained soils to some extent, but the most dramatic improvement
occurs in clay soils of moderate to high plasticity. Modification occurs primarily due to the
exchange of calcium cations supplied by the hydrated lime for the normally present cation
adsorbed on the surface of the clay mineral. Modification is also caused by the hydrated lime
reacting with the clay mineral surface in a high-pH environment: the clay surface mineralogy is
altered as it reacts with the calcium ions to form cementitious products. The results are plasticity
and swelling reduction, reduced moisture-holding capacity and improved stability.

Soil stabilization occurs when the proper amount of lime is added to a reactive soil.
Stabilization differs from modification in that a significant increase in strength is developed over
the longer term through an on-going pozzolanic reaction. This reaction results from the formation
of calcium silicate hydrates and calcium aluminates as the calcium from the lime reacts with the
aluminates and silicates solubilized from the clay mineral surface. This reaction can begin quickly
and is responsible for some of the effects of modification. However, the full-term pozzolanic
reaction can continue for a long period of time, often for many years. As a result, some soils can
produce very significant strength gains when treated with lime. The key to pozzolanic reactivity
and stabilization is a reactive soil and a proper mix-design protocol. The results of soil stabilization

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 4|Page

can include very substantial increases in resilient modulus values, significant improvements in
shear strength, continued strength gains over time, and long-term durability over decades of
service.

(2) Cement Stabilization:

Cement is the oldest binding agent since the invention of soil stabilization
technology in 1960s. It may be considered as primary stabilizing agent or hydraulic binder because
it can be used alone to bring about the stabilizing action required. Cement reaction is not dependent
on soil minerals, and the key role is its reaction with water that may be available in any soil. This
can be the reason why cement is used to stabilize a wide range of soils. Numerous types of cement
are available in the market; these are ordinary Portland cement, blast furnace cement, sulphate
resistant cement and high alumina cement. Usually the choice of cement depends on type of soil
to be treated and desired final strength. Hydration process is a process under which cement reaction
takes place. The process starts when cement is mixed with water and other components for a
desired application resulting into hardening phenomena. The hardening (setting) of cement will
enclose soil as glue, but it will not change the structure of soil .The hydration reaction is slow
proceeding from the surface of the cement grains and the centre of the grains may remain
unhydrated. Cement hydration is a complex process with a complex series of unknown chemical
reactions.

(3) Chemical Stabilization:

Under this category, soil stabilization depends mainly on chemical reactions between
chemical additives and soil particles which then produce a strong network that bind the soil grains
to achieve the desired effect.

Advantages of Chemical Stabilization

1) In this stabilization method, setting time and curing time can be controlled.
2) It gives more strength to the soils.
3) The compacted density of the soil is increased.
4) Chemical stabilization increases the permeability of the soil.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 5|Page

(4) Bituminous Stabilization:

Bituminous soil stabilization refers to a process by which a controlled amount of

bituminous material is thoroughly mixed with an existing soil or aggregate material to form a
stable base or wearing surface. Bitumen increases the cohesion and load-bearing capacity of the
soil and renders it resistant to the action of water. Bitumen stabilization accomplished by using
asphalt cement, asphalt cutback or asphalt emulsions. The type of bitumen to be used depends on
the type of soil to be stabilized, method of construction and weather conditions. In frost areas, the
use of tar as binder must be avoided because of its high temperature maximum susceptibility.
Asphalts and tars are bituminous materials which are used for stabilization of soil, generally for
pavement construction. Bituminous materials when added to a soil, it imparts both cohesion and
reduced water absorption.

(5) Thermal Stabilization:

Thermal change causes a marked improvement in the properties of the soil. Thermal
stabilization is done either by heating the soil or by cooling it.

Heating: As the soil is heated, its water content decreases. Electric repulsion between clay
particles is decreased and the strength of the soil is increased.

Freezing: cooling causes a small loss of strength of clayey soils due to an increase in inter particles
repulsion. However, if the temperature is reduced to the freezing point, the pore water freezes and
the soil is stabilized.

(6) Stabilization by Geo-textile and Fabrics :

Geotextiles are porous fabrics made of synthetic materials such as polyethylene,

polyester, nylons and polyvinyl chloride. Woven, non-woven and grid form varieties of geotextiles
are available. Geotextiles have a high strength. When properly embedded in soil, it contributes to
its stability. It is used in the construction of unpaved roads over soft soils. Reinforcing the soil for
stabilization by metallic strips into it and providing an anchor or tie back to restrain a facing skin
element . Past research has shown that the strength and load-bearing capacity of subgrades and
base course materials can be improved through the inclusion of nonbiodegradable.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 6|Page

1.4 Flexible Pavements:

Flexible pavements are constructed of several layers of natural granular material

covered with one or more waterproof bituminous surface layers, and as the name implies, is
considered to be flexible. A flexible pavement will flex (bend) under the load of a tyre. The
objective with the design of a flexible pavement is to avoid the excessive flexing of any layer,
failure to achieve this will result in the over stressing of a layer, which ultimately will cause the
pavement to fail. In flexible pavements, the load distribution pattern changes from one layer to
another, because the strength of each layer is different. The strongest material (least flexible) is in
the top layer and the weakest material (most flexible) is in the lowest layer. The reason for this is
that at the surface the wheel load is applied to a small area, the result is high stress levels, deeper
down in the pavement, the wheel load is applied to larger area, the result is lower stress levels thus
enabling the use of weaker materials.

The primary function of a pavement is to transmit loads to the sub-base and underlying
soil. Modern flexible pavements contain sand and gravel or crushed stone compacted with a binder
of bituminous material, such as asphalt, tar, or asphaltic oil. Such a pavement has enough plasticity
to absorb shock. Rigid pavements are made of concrete, composed of coarse andfine
aggregate and Portland cement, and usually reinforced with steel rod or mesh.

FIG 1: COMPONENTS OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT:

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 7|Page

1. Surface Course
Surface course or wearing course is the top most layer of flexible pavement which has
direct contact with the vehicular loads. Since it is directly in contact with traffic, good quality
aggregates and high dense bitumen or asphalt is recommended for the construction of surface
course. The main function of surface course is to provide skid-resistance surface, friction and
drainage for the pavement. It should be water tight against surface water infiltration. The thickness
of surface course generally provided 25 to 50 mm.

2. Binder Course
Binder course is also constructed using aggregates and bitumen but with less quality
than materials used for surface course. In general, its thickness is about 50 to 100 mm.If economy
is not a problem, binder course and surface course can be constructed monotonically using good
quality materials with 100 to 150 mm thickness. The function of binder course is to transfer the
loads coming from surface course to the base course.

3. Base Course
The base course is important layer of pavement structure and it distributes the loads
from top layers to the underneath Subbase and sub-grade layers. It provides structural support for
the pavement surface. It is constructed with hard and durable aggregates which may either
stabilized or granular or both. The thickness of base course must be great enough to reduce the
load capacity on sub-grade and Subbase courses. The minimum base course thickness
recommended is 100 mm. sub surface drainage system can be provided with in the base course.

4. Subbase Course
The Sub-base course is provided beneath the base course and it also functions as same as
base course. If the sub-grade soil is strong and stiff, then there is no need to sub-base course.
Granular aggregates are used to construct sub-base course. If sub-grade is weak minimum 100 mm
thick sub-base course should be provided.

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6. Subgrade
Subgrade is the bottom most layer which is nothing but natural soil layer compacted up to
required depth generally about 150 to 300 mm to receive the loads coming from top layers. This
layer is termed as foundation for the pavement system. The sub-grade should be strong enough to
take the stresses and also it is important to keep the stresses coming from top layers should be
within the limit of sub-grade capacity. To reduce the amount of stress on soil sub-grade, provide
thick layers of base course, Sub-base course and surface course.

1.4.1 FUNCTIONS OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT:

The primary functions of a pavement are to:

➢ PROVIDE A REASONABLY SMOOTH RIDING SURFACE: A smooth riding

surface (Low Roughness) is essential for riding comfort, and over the years it has
become the measure of how road users perceive a road. Roughness can arise from a
number of causes, most often however it is from pavement distress due to structural
deformation. Roughness is the distress parameter used by the vehicle operating cost
sub-models of a pavement management system, to estimate the timing, type and cost
of maintenance needs.
➢ PROVIDE ADEQUATE SURFACE FRICTION (SKID RESISTANCE): In addition
to a riding comfort, the other road user requirement is that of safety. Safety, especially
during wet conditions can be linked to a loss of surface friction between the tyre and
the pavement surface. A pavement must therefore provide sufficient surface friction
and texture to ensure road user safety under all conditions.
➢ PROTECT THE SUBGRADE: The supporting soil beneath the pavement is
commonly referred to as the subgrade, should it be over-stressed by the applied axle
loads it will deform and lose its ability to properly support these axle loads. Therefore,
the pavement must have sufficient structural capacity (strength and thickness) to
adequately reduce the actual stresses so that they do not exceed the strength of the
subgrade. The strength and thickness requirements of a pavement can vary greatly

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 9|Page

 depending on the combination of subgrade type and loading condition (magnitude and
number of axle loads).
➢ PROVIDE WATERPROOFING: The pavement surfacing acts as a waterproofing
surface that prevent the underlaying support layers including the subgrade from
becoming saturated through moisture ingress. When saturated, soil loses its ability to
adequately support the applied axle loads, which will lead to premature failure of the
pavement.

1.5 MATERIALS TO BE USED

Soil stabilization involves the use of stabilizing agents in weak soils to

improve its geotechnical properties. Generally sand, bitumen, stone aggregates, gravels are used
for road construction. Increase in extraction of large amount of good quality of soil leads to high
rate of deforestation as well as increase in cost of soil. Keeping this situation in mind, engineers
are opting for alternative materials for highway way construction, and utilization of lime in soil
comes under this list.

1.5.1 GRAVEL

Gravel is a loose aggregation of small, variously sized fragments of rock. It

has a wide range of applications in the construction industry. The weathering and erosion of rocks
is the natural process by which gravel deposits are formed. Gravel can also be produced in quarries
known as gravel pits, where rocks such as sandstone, limestone and basalt are crushed down to
size. Gravel particle sizes range from 2 mm to over 60 mm, and are available in a range of colours,
textures and stone types.

Natural gravel comes from ancient beaches which have not consolidated (turned into solid
rock). In effect, beaches from (for instance) the Jurassic are dug up in quarries. The material is
then sifted into size categories. The gravel and sand is then sold on to engineering companies.
Most natural sand and gravel is silica, SiO2, in its chemistry. This is very hard-wearing .However,

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 10 | P a g e

if the material is originally in hard rock form, then it is first crushed. This enables the industry to
offer other materials such as granite or limestone, originally solid rock, as gravel. The open-cast
mining and processing of gravel, sand and aggregate is a huge world-wide industry, sometimes
called "conglomerates".

The gravel used consists of varying amount of crushed stone, sand, and fines. Fines are silt
or clay particles smaller than .075 millimetres (0.0030 in), which can act as a binder. Crushed
stone, also called road metal, is used because gravel with fractured faces will stay in place better
than rounded river pebbles. A good gravel for a gravel road will have a higher percentage of fines
than gravel used as a subbase for a paved road. This often causes problems if a gravel road is paved
without adding sand and gravel sized stone to dilute the percentage of fines.

Fig 2 Gravel Soil

USES OF GRAVELS:

• Gravel can be used in the filtration of water, where it acts as a natural filter holding back
precipitates which may contain impurities as well as other sand-sized particles. The
angularity and hardness of gravel makes it resistant to water erosion.
• Gravel is commonly used for landscaping applications, such as on driveways, walkways,
or as a decorative filler over soil instead of grass.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 11 | P a g e

 • Sand and gravel are used for road construction, for mixing with asphalt, as construction
fill, and in the production of construction materials like concrete blocks, bricks, and pipes.
It is also used to make roofing shingles, used on icy roads in the winter, for railroad ballast,
and water filtration.
• Gravel, along with sand, is used for the manufacture of concrete, as well as for mixing with
asphalt as part of road construction. It can be used as the base layer for roads.
• It can also be used to as part of roof coverings. Gravel can be used along with pebbles as a
form of render known as pebbledash which is used for the external walls of a building in
which the top coat is textured to create a rough finish.

1.5.2 LIME :

Lime is a calcium-containing inorganic mineral composed primarily of oxides, and

hydroxide, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. The word lime originates with its earliest
use as building mortar and has the sense of sticking or adhering.

These materials are still used in large quantities as building and engineering materials
(including limestone products, cement, concrete, and mortar), as chemical feedstocks, and for
sugar refining, among other uses. Lime industries and the use of many of the resulting products
date from prehistoric times in both the Old World and the New World. Lime is used extensively
for wastewater treatment. The rocks and minerals from which these materials are derived, typically
limestone or chalk, are composed primarily of calcium carbonate. They may be cut, crushed, or
pulverized and chemically altered. Burning (calcination) of these minerals in a lime kiln converts
them into the highly caustic material burnt lime, unslaked lime or quicklime (calciumoxide) and,
through subsequent addition of water, into the less caustic (but still strongly alkaline)slaked lime
or hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2), the process of which is called slakingof lime.

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• PRODUCTION :
In the lime industry, limestone is a general term for rocks that contain 80% or more
of calcium or magnesium carbonate, including marble, chalk, oolite, and marl. Further
classification is done by composition as high calcium, argillaceous (clayey), siliceous,
conglomerate, magnesian, dolomite, and other limestones. Uncommon sources of lime include
coral, sea shells, calcite. Limestone is extracted from quarries or mines.

Quick lime is produced according to this reaction:

CaCO3→CaO +CO2

Before use, quicklime is hydrated, that is combined with water, called slaking, so hydrated lime is
also known as slaked lime, and is produced according to the reaction:

CaO + H2O →Ca(OH)2

Dry slaking is when quicklime is slaked with just enough water to hydrate the quicklime, but
remain as a powder and is referred to as hydrated lime. In wet slaking, a slight excess of water is
added to hydrate the quicklime to a form referred to as lime putty.

• CYCLE:
The process by which limestone (calcium carbonate) is converted to quicklime by
heating, then to slaked lime by hydration, and naturally reverts to calcium carbonate by
carbonation is called the lime cycle. The conditions and compounds present during each step of
the lime cycle have a strong influence of the end product, thus the complex and varied physical
nature of lime products.

An example is when slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is mixed into a thick slurry with sand and
water to form mortar for building purposes. When the masonry has been laid, the slaked lime in
the mortar slowly begins to react with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate (limestone)
according to the reaction:

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O.

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The carbon dioxide that takes part in this reaction is principally available in the air or dissolved
in rainwater.

Fig 3 Cycle of Lime

1.5.3 TYPES OF LIMES:

1. QUICK LIME

It is also known as caustic lime. It is obtained by calcination (i.e. heating to redness)

of comparatively pure lime stone. It is amorphous in nature, highly caustic and possesses great
affinity to moisture.

Fig 4 Quick lime

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2. SLAKED LIME

It is also known as hydrate of lime. It is obtained by slaking (i.e. chemical

combination of quick lime with water) of quick lime. It is ordinary pure lime, in white powder
form, available in market. It has got the tendency of absorbing carbonic acid from the atmosphere
in presence of water.

Fig 5 Slaked lime

3. FAT LIME

It is also known as high calcium lime or pure lime or rich lime or white lime. It is
popularly known as fat lime as it slakes vigorously and its volume is increased to about 2 to 2.5
times that of quick lime. This lime is used for various purposes as white washing, plastering of
walls, as lime mortar with sand for pointing in masonry work, as a lime mortar with surkhi for
thick masonry walls, foundations, etc

Fig 6 Fat lime

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 15 | P a g e

4.HYDRAULIC LIME

Hydraulic Lime is also called as water lime. It contains 30 percent of silica and 5
percent of alumina along with iron oxide. This lime sets when water is added to it. When water is
added to pure lime it forms a putty. As long as the mix is kept covered the lime will stay in a putty
state. Pure lime only reacts chemically when exposed to air, slowly reabsorbing carbon dioxide
and returning to its original state of calcite, CaCO3.By contrast, hydraulic materials exhibit a
chemical change in the presence of water. Moulding plaster and Portland cement are common
examples of hydraulic materials. NHLs mixed with water likewise transform from a putty to a
hardened state, even underwater. The valued impurity present in the limestones used to produce
Natural Hydraulic Lime is silica. Common silicas like quartz are very prevalent, highly crystalline
and non-reactive. Amorphous, chemically active silicas on the other hand don’t tend to last very
long in nature because they are very reactive. The most useful limestones for producing NHL’s
have a high infiltration of this amorphous silica.

These limestones are fired a little hotter than pure limestone, at approximately 1,800 to 1,900
degrees Fahrenheit, to first drive off the carbon dioxide and then fuse a portion of the available
calcium with silica. After firing the lime is given just enough steam to “slake” (or hydrate it)
converting the highly reactive calcium oxide into the more stable calcium hydroxide. The resulting
dry hydrate lime can be bagged and transported safely. Upon arrival the calcium silica compounds
are ready to react by the addition of more water when mixing the mortar, plaster.

The terms hydrated and hydraulic can be a little confusing as they both relate to water. A
hydrated material is chemically bound to water in a dry state whereas a hydraulic material is one
that will set with the addition of water. The terms are not mutually exclusive and as it turns out
NHLs are made both hydrated and hydraulic during manufacture.

Hydraulic Lime has the following classification:

1. Eminently Hydraulic: Eminently Hydraulic Lime has a chemical composition similar to

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC). This consists of 25 to 39 percentage of silica and
alumina. This type can be used for good quality mortar works.

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 2. Semi-Hydraulic: Semi-Hydraulic Lime consists of 15 to 25 percentage of silica and
alumina. It is used for good quality works of masonry, brickwork, and mortar. This is less
stronger than eminently Hydraulic Lime.
3. Non-Hydraulic: Non-Hydraulic Lime has silica and alumina in quantities of less than
15%. On the process of slaking, it undergoes less expansion. For less important works,
mortar made from non-Hydraulic Lime is accepted.

1.5.4 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:

TABLE 1: Chemical composition of Lime

COMPONENTS PROPORTION (%)

CaO 53.81

SiO2 26.06

Fe2O3 8.46

MgO 3.2

SO3 2.46

Al2O3 1.94

CO2 1.25

K2O 0.5

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 17 | P a g e

1.5.5 USES OF LIME:

Major uses of lime are enlisted below :

1. Lime is used in the manufacturing of steel in order to remove the impurities.

1. Soil stabilization for construction of roads, airfields and building foundation demands
lime in large quantity.

2. Lime slurry is used as mortar for masonry work and for plastering.

3. Lime is used as an additive in asphalt which helps to improve the property of cohesion.
Lime helps to increase the resistance of asphalt towards stripping and aging.
4. As a reagent in flue-gas desulfurization, it reacts with sulphur dioxide for air pollution
control.
5. Glass making, in some circumstances, uses limestone.
6. It is added to toothpaste, paper, plastics, paint, tiles, and other materials as both white
pigment and a cheap filler.
7. It can suppress methane explosions in underground coal mines.
8. Purified, it is added to bread and cereals as a source of calcium.
9. Calcium levels in livestock feed are supplemented with it, such as for poultry (when
ground up).
10. It can be used for mineralizing and increasing the alkalinity of purified water to
prevent pipe corrosion and to restore essential nutrient levels.
11. Used in blast furnaces, limestone binds with silica and other impurities to remove
them from the iron.
12. It is used in sculptures because of its suitability for carving.

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 19 | P a g e

 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Many research works have been done on the properties of red gravel soil and Hydraulic
Lime by the different researches for study in their suitability as a constructed materials in various
field of civil engineering.

➢ V. Brahmam &P.S. Naidu IJCE 2018: “Parameters Affecting the Efficiency of Red
Gravel Soils as Road Construction Material”. In this study 28 gravel soil samples were
collected from different locations of North Coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and tested
for their geotechnical characterization. Based on these values, their effective utilization
in geotechnical applications has been studied.

➢ Sumanjali Parimi ,Swathipriya &Jahara IJCE (2018):“A Study on Suitability of

Crusher Dust Stabilized Red Earth and Gravel as Subgrade and Sub Base Material” an
attempt is made to utilize the crusher dust in stabilization of gravelly soils as a sub-base
material and Red soils as sub grade.

➢ Anil Pandey IRJET 2017: Main objective of this research study was to compare lime
and cement as subgrade soil stabilizing agents in pavement construction. The study
includes a preliminary investigation, construction, monitoring, and postconstruction
testing.

➢ Arun Patidar IJASTR 2017:“An experimental study on stabilization of black cotton

soil using HDPE wastage fibres, stone dust and lime” .An experimental investigation is
carried out to study the effect of high density polyethylene fibres, stone dust and lime on
index and engineering properties of the Black Cotton Soils. The properties of stabilized
soil such as compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength and California
bearing ratio were evaluated and their variations with content of fibres, stone dust and
lime are evaluated.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 20 | P a g e

 ➢ Shailendra singh & Hemant B.Vasaikar (2015) “Stabilization of soil using lime”. The
design foundation on soil (expansive soil) has always been a difficult task for the
engineers as the structure resting on soil cracks without any warnings. Soil is found in
M.P, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in our country. Soil proportion
changes depending upon their constituents ,i.e. water content, density, bulk density, angle
of friction ,shear strength etc. The properties of soil can be modified by stabilizing the
soil with the use of additives or by mechanical mean. In this project an attempt has been
made to stabilize the soil by using lime. The experimental work is based on different
percentages of lime content in soil on tests for soil liquid limit, plastic limit, optimum
moisture content, maximum dry density, CBR test. The aim is to improve the engineering
properties of soil such that the structure built on this soil can be efficiently withstanding
applied loads. It was found that the engineering properties of soil substantially improved
by addition of lime.

➢ Ashok Kumar Jain & Arun Kumar JainIJAET-2014. Evaluation of compaction and
swell characteristics of black cotton soil by using admixtures as lime stone ” The lime
stone in experimental program is obtained from cutting of marble. The environmental
degradation due to marble mining is much less than the environmental degradation
caused by the waste from marble processing plants. Many researchers have reported that
marble has very high lime (CaO) content up to 55% by weight. The unconfined
compression test is conducted by making the specimens of black cotton soil by adding
the varying percentages of lime stone and lime stone and have been cured for 3, 7 and 14
days. The desirable change in the strength properties of the soil have been observed.

➢ H.N.Ramesh, A.J.Krishnaiah&S.Shilpa IRJET2013. “Effect of Lime on the Index

Properties of Black Cotton Soil and Mine tailings mixtures” Index properties are
extensively used in geotechnical engineering practice. Among them, liquid limit is an
important physical property used in classification and correlations with engineering
properties of soils. Liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit of Black cotton soil
(BCS) and mine tailings (MT) mixtures treated with lime are investigated and are
presented in this paper.

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 ➢ Nadgouda, K.A. & Hegde, R.A "The Effect of Lime Stabilization on Properties of Black
cotton soil into a strong cementitious matrix. Black cotton soil showing low to medium
swelling potential from Latur, Maharashtra was used for determining the basic properties
of the soil. Changes in various soil properties such as Liquid limit, Plastic Limit,
Maximum Dry Density, Optimum Moisture Content, Differential Free Swell, Swelling
Pressure and California Bearing Ratio were studied.

➢ Manjunath (2011) studied the mixing of blast furnace slag (an industrial waste) with
hydrated lime is used to stabilize atypical black cotton soil. The addition of blast furnace
slag and lime to increase the geotechnical property of soil.

➢ Sayida and Saijamol (2011) studied the improving engineering property of the red soil.
They added chemical then react with cementing compound. The present analysis is
kaolinite clay is mixed with different proportion of fly ash and sea sand .Then the addition
of sand raise the CBR value.

➢ Mallela et al. (2004) stated that the properties of treated soil affect the strength gain over
lime. These properties are soil pH, Organic carbon content, natural drainage, excessive
quantities of exchangeable sodium, clay mineralogy, degree of weathering, presence of
carbonates, extractable iron, and silica-alumina ratio.

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 CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

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 CHAPTER 3

3.MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

The materials that are used in this are mainly-

1) Red gravel soil.
2) Hydraulic Lime.

3.1.1.Gravel soil
The gravel soil collected from ‘Tadipatri’, Ananthapur District in Andhra Pradesh.

Fig 7 Gravel soil

3.1.2.Hydraulic Lime

In general, all lime treated fine-grained soils exhibit decreased plasticity, improved
workability and reduced volume change characteristics. However, not all soils exhibit improved
strength characteristics. It should be emphasized that the properties of soil lime mixtures are
dependent on many variables. Soil type, lime type, lime percentage and curing conditions (time,
temperature, and moisture) are the most important.

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 Fig 8 Hydraulic Lime

3.1 METHODOLOGY
The following sets of experiments are intended to be carried out;

1. Grain size analysis confirming (IS: 2720-part 4, 1985)

2.Atterberg limits (IS: 2720-part 5, 1985)

➢ Liquid limit
➢ Plastic limit
➢ Plasticity index

3. Compaction characteristics(IS: 2720- Part 8: 1983)

Heavy compaction

➢ Maximum dry density(M.D.D)

➢ Optimum moisture content(O.M.C)

4. California Bearing Ratio Test(C.B.R) (IS: 2720- Part 16: 1987)

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 CHAPTER 4

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

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 4.EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Introduction:

In this chapter the experimental procedures for the tests carried out in the laboratory
are presented.

4.1 Experimental Procedure:

To study the effect of Hydraulic Lime on soil, the various proportions like 0.5%, 1%,
1.5%, 2% and 2.5% were mixed with gravel soil. And laboratory tests were conducted to study the
index and engineering properties. The various index properties test like particle size distribution,
Liquid limit test, Plastic limit test, compaction test and California Bearing Ratio tests were
conducted on Gravel soil and soil with various proportions like 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5% of
Lime.

4.1.1 Particle Size Distribution :

Soil at any place is composed of particles of a variety of sizes and shapes, sizes ranging from a
few microns to a few centimetres are present sometimes in the same soil sample. The distribution
of particles of different sizes determines many physical properties of the soil such as its strength,
permeability, density etc.

Particle size distribution is found out by two methods, first is sieve analysis which is done for
coarse grained soils only and the other method is sedimentation analysis used for fine grained soil
sample. Both are followed by plotting the results on a semi-log graph. The percentage finer as the
ordinate and the particle diameter i.e. sieve size as the abscissa on a logarithmic scale. The curve
generated from the result gives us an idea of the type and gradation of the soil. If the curve is higher
up or is more towards the left, it means that the soil has more representation from the finer particles;
if it is towards the right, we can deduce that the soil has more of the coarse grained particles. The
soil may be of two types- well graded or poorly graded (uniformly graded). Well graded soils have
particles from all the size ranges in a good amount. On the other hand, it is said to be poorly or

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uniformly graded if it has particles of some sizes in excess and deficiency of particles of other
sizes. Sometimes the curve has a flat portion also which means there is an absence of particles of
intermediate size, these soils are also known as gap graded or skip graded.

For analysis of the particle distribution, we sometimes use D10, D30, and D60 etc. terms which
represents a size in mm such that 10%, 30% and 60% of particles respectively are finer than that
size. The size of D10 also called the effective size or diameter is a very useful data. There is a term
called uniformity coefficient Cu which comes from the ratio of D60 and D10, it gives a measure
of the range of the particle size of the soil sample.

4.1.2 Atterberg limits

The Atterberg limits are basic amount of the acute water content of the fine-grained
soil, such as plastic limit and liquid limit. As a dry, clayey soil takes on increase amounts of water,
it under take affect and distinct variation in behaviour and consistency. Depending on the water
content of the soil, it may come into in four states:
• solid
• semi-solid
• liquid
• plastic
In each state, the constancy and behaviour of the soil is changed accordingly its
engineering properties. Thus the limit between each state be capable of defined based on a
difference in the soil behaviour. The Atterberg limits can be used to make a distinction between
silt and clay and it can distinguish between different types of silts and clays. The objective of the
Atterberg limits test is to get critical index information about the soil used to estimation strength
and the settlement characteristics.

4.1.3 Liquid limit

The test has been carried out using the standard Casagrande liquid limit apparatus as
per IS: 2720-(Part-5) 1972. The Casagrande tool cuts a groove of size 2mm wide the bottom and
11 mm wide at the top and 8 mm high. The number of blows used for the two soil samples to come

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in contact is noted down. Graph is plotted taking number of blows on a logarithmic scale on the
abscissa and water content on the ordinate. Liquid limit corresponds to 25 blows from the graph.

Fig 9 liquid limit apparatus

4.1.4 Plastic Limit(IS 2720-5)

The plastic limit has been determined according to the IS: 2720- (Part 8,1970).
• This is determined by rolling out soil till its diameter reaches approximately 3 mm and
measuring water content for the soil which crumbles on reaching this diameter.
• Plasticity index (Ip) was also calculated with the help of liquid limit and plastic limit.
Ip = wL - wP

WL- Liquid limit

WP- Plastic limit

Fig 10 Plastic limit apparatus

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4.1.5 Heavy compaction test:

Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of the black cotton soil were
determined according to the IS Heavy weight compaction test (IS:2720 part-8,1983).

Proctor compaction test is a laboratory method of test is to define the optimal moisture
content at which a given soil type will specifically. To determine the optimum water content at
which soil be able to get to its maximum dry density. The soil is then located and compacted in
the Proctor compaction mould in three different layers where each layer receives 25 blows of the
standard hammer. Before insertion each layer, the exterior of the layers is scratched in order to
verify a uniform distribution of the compaction. At the end of the test, after eliminate and drying
of the sample, the dry density and water content of the sample is determine for each Proctor
compaction test. Based on the 3 of results, a graph is plotted between the dry density and moisture
content. From this graph, the optimum water content to achieve the maximum dry density can be
found. The moisture content, and dry density relations be initiate by compaction tests as per IS:
2720 (Part VII) 1980. Red gravel soil is stabilized with variable percentage of lime of its dry
weight. For this test, red gravel soil is thoroughly mixed with suitable amount of water and the wet
sample is compacted in proctor mould in three layers. Using standard proctor rammer of 2.6 kg
and modified proctor rammer of 4.5 kg. As per IS: 2720 (Part 2) 1973 the moisture content of the
compacted mixture is determined. From the dry density and moisture content correlation, optimum
moisture content (OMC), and maximum dry density (MDD) were determined. Similar compaction
tests were shown with varying. Percentage of lime( 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5%) and the
corresponding optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD) were
determined.

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 FIG 11 Heavy compaction test

4.1.6 California bearing ratio test :

The samples were prepared at their maximum dry density and the test was conducted as per
IS:2720 (part-xvi), 1987.

The laboratory CBR apparatus consists of consists of a mould 150 mm diameter with a
base plate and a collar, a loading frame with the cylindrical plunger of 50 mm diameter and dial
gauges for measuring the expansion on soaking and the penetration values. Briefly the penetration
tests consists of causing a cylindrical plunger of 50 mm diameter to penetrate a pavement
component material at 1.25 mm/min. the load value to cause 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm penetration are
recorded. These loads were expressed as percentage of standard load value at respective
deformation levels to obtain CBR values. The standard load values obtained from average of a
large number of tests on crushed stones are 1370 and 2055 kg (70 and 105 kg/cm2) respectively at
2.5 and 5.0 mm penetration.

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 FIG 12 California bearing ratio test
The CBR values are calculated using the relation:

CBR% =

[𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 (𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒)𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑡 2.5 𝑜𝑟 5.0 𝑚𝑚 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛]

[𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑠]

Normally the CBR value at 2.5 mm penetration that is higher than that at 5.0 mm is reported
as the CBR value of the material. However, if the CBR value obtained from the test at 5.0 mm
penetration is higher than that at 2.5 mm, then the test is to be prepared for checking. If the check
test again gives similar results, the higher value obtained at 5.0 mm penetration is reported as the
CBR value. The average CBR value of three test specimens is reported to the first decimal place,
as the CBR value of material. If the variation in the CBR value between the three specimens is
more than the prescribed limits, tests should be repeated on additional three samples and the
average CBR value of six specimens is accepted.

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 CHAPTER 5

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 33 | P a g e

 5.EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

5.1 INTRODUCTION:

Details of the laboratory experimentation carried-out with Lime have been discussed in the
previous chapter. In this chapter a detailed discussion on the results obtained from various
laboratory were presented.

5.2 Laboratory Test Results on Gravel- soil:

The effects of adding Lime to the gravel soil on Atterberg limits, Compaction
Characteristics (O.M.C, M.D.D), California Bearing Ratio are discussed in the following sections.

Table 2: Physical Properties of Gravel soil

S.No Property Value

Grain size distribution

Gravel size 38
31
Sand size
1. 15
Fines size
Silt size 10
06
Clay size

Atterberg limits
Liquid limit (%) 28
2. 18.5
Plastic limit (%)
Plasticity index (%) 9.5

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 Compaction properties
3. Optimum Moisture Content, O.M.C (%) 8.03
Maximum Dry Density , M.D.D (g/cc) 2.05

4. IS Classification GC

CBR value
5. 20
Un soaked

5.2.1 Effect of Lime on Atterberg Limits:

The variation of liquid limit values with different percentages of Lime added to the gravel
soil is presented in the Fig.5.2. It is observed that the decrease in the liquid limit by increasing the
Lime added to the gravel soil and also it is observed that the liquid limit reduced from 28 to 26.34,
the reduction in the liquid limit is significant up to 2% of Lime added to the Soil.

Fig. 5.3 shows the variation of plasticity index with the addition of Lime to gravel soil. The
reduction in plasticity indexes are observed with increasing the Lime added to the gravel soil and
also it is observed that the plasticity index reduced from 9.5 to 6.54, the reduction in the plasticity
index is significant up to 2% of Lime added to the Soil, beyond 2% there is a nominal decrease.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 35 | P a g e

Table 3: Index Properties Summary of Gravel Soil blended with various
percentages of Lime

Index properties of soil

S Lime
No With Gravel soil (%)
Liquid Plastic Plasticity
Limit limit Index
WL WP IP
(%) (%) (%)

1 Gravel soil + 0% of Lime 28 18.5 9.5

2 Gravel soil + 0.5% of Lime 27.58 18.91 8.67

3 Gravel soil + 1% of Lime 27.01 18.98 8.03

4 Gravel soil + 1.5% of Lime 26.89 19.03 7.86

5 Gravel soil + 2% of Lime 26.32 19.81 6.51

6 Gravel soil + 2.5 % of Lime 26.34 19.80 6.54

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 28.2
28 28
27.8
27.6 27.58
27.4
liquid limit

27.2
27 27.01 liquid limit
26.89
26.8
26.6
26.32
26.4
26.34
26.2
26
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
soil + % of lime

Fig 13 Variation of liquid limit with addition of percentage Lime to the Gravel

20 Plastic limit
19.81 19.8
19.8

19.6
Plastic Limit

19.4

19.2 19.03 Plastic limit

18.98
19 18.91

18.8

18.6
18.5
18.4
0.5 1.5 2.5
soil + % of lime

Fig 14 Variation of plastic limit with addition of percentage Lime to the gravel

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 37 | P a g e

 10
9.5 Plasticity index
8.67
8.03
7.86
PLasticity index
6.54
6.51

Plasticity index

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

soil + % of lime

Fig 15 Variationof plasticity index with addition of percentage Lime to the Gravel

5.2.2 Effect of Lime on Compaction Properties:

Standard Proctor tests were used to establish the dry density-moisture content relationship and
carried out the test of soil with various amounts of Lime added consider the effect of Lime on
optimum moisture content and maximum dry density the test of soil with 0 % to 2.5% by dry
weight of soil.

The variation of Compaction Properties values with different percentages of Hydraulic Lime added
to the gravel soil is presented in the 5.4. It is observed that the increase in maximum dry density
up to 2 % addition of Lime, beyond 2% there is a nominal decrease.

Fig5.5 shows the variation of Optimum Moisture Content with the addition of Lime to gravel
soil.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 38 | P a g e

Table 4: Effects of Lime on OMC and MDD

Maximum Dry Optimum

S.No Lime blended with gravel soil Density (gm/cc) Moisture Content
(%)

1 Gravel soil + 0% of Lime 2.05 8.03

2 Gravel soil + 0.5% of Lime 2.07 8.56

3 Gravel soil + 1% of Lime 2.09 8.91

4 Gravel soil + 1.5% of Lime 2.10 9.1

5 Gravel soil + 2% of Lime 2.12 9.32

6 Gravel soil + 2.5% of Lime 2.11 9.30

2.13 MDD
2.12
Maximum Dry Density

2.12
2.11 2.11

2.1 2.1
2.09
2.09
2.08 MDD

2.07 2.07

2.06

2.05 2.05

2.04
0 0.5 1.5 2.5
soil + % of lime

Fig 16 variation of MDD with addition of percentage Lime to the gravel Soil

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 39 | P a g e

 9.4
O M9.1C 9.32
9.3
9.2

Optimum moisture Content

8.91
8.8

8.6
8.56
OMC
8.4

8.2

8.03

7.8
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
soil + % of lime

Fig 17 Variation of OMC with addition of percentage Lime to the gravel soil

5.2.3 Effect of Lime on California Bearing Ratio Test:

Soil with various amounts of Lime added to determine the effect on California bearing ratio
test of soil with 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5% by dry weight of soil.

Table 5: Effect of Lime on CBR value for un soaked soil

S.No Lime with blended CBR (%) at 2.5mm Penetration

gravel soil (%)

1 Gravel Soil + 0% of Lime 20

2 Gravel Soil + 0.5% of Lime 25

3 Gravel Soil + 1% of Lime 28

4 Gravel Soil + 1.5% of Lime 31

5 Gravel Soil + 2% of Lime 34

6 Gravel Soil + 2.5% of Lime 32

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It is can be seen that the CBR is increasing with increasing percentage of Lime added to the Gravel
soil. Significant increase in CBR is recorded in gravel soil with addition of Lime up to 2%, beyond
this percentage the increase in CBR is marginal.

40 CBR values
35
34 32
30
28 31
25 25
CBR

20 20
CBR values
15

10

0.5 1.5 2.5

soil + % of lime

Fig 18 Variation of CBR value (unsoaked) at 2.5mm penetration with addition percentage
Lime to the gravel Soil

5.3 SUMMARY

In this chapter, the results of various tests carried out in the laboratory are discussed.

Conclusions are presented in the following chapter.

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 CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSIONS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 42 | P a g e

 6 CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions are made based on the laboratory experiments carried out in
this investigation.

➢ The variation of liquid limit values decrease from 28 to 26.32, plastic limit increase from
18.5 to 19.81, cause a net reduction in the plasticity index Up to 2% of lime added to the
Soil, beyond 2.5% there is a nominal decrease.

➢ Maximum dry density increases from 2.05 to 2.12 and optimum moisture content also
increases from 8.03 to 9.32 up to the addition of 2% lime and beyond decreases. Hence
compatibility of soil increases and making the soil more dense and hard.

➢ With addition of 2% Lime, CBR value for unsoaked increased with 20 to 34 , beyond
2.5% there is a nominal decrease. That shows the densification of soil takes place and
more suitable for pavement thickness.

➢ Red gravel soils having CBR values greater than 30 with low plasticity index values(Ip<7)
can be effectively used as sub base course materials for high traffic roads (50msa).

➢ Characteristics such as high densities and low plasticity yield high shear strength of these
soils can also be used as fill materials.

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 CHAPTER 7

REFERENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING ALITS 44 | P a g e

 7 REFERENCES
• IS : 2720 ( Part III/Sec 2 ) - 1980 for specific gravity.

• IS : 2720 ( Part IV ) - 1985 for grain size analysis.

• IS : 2720 ( Part V ) - 1985 for liquid limit and plastic limit.

• IS : 2720 ( Part VIII) - l983 for standard proctor test.

• IS : 2720 ( Part 31) - 1990 for California bearing ratio.

• Arora K.R. (2008), soil mechanics and Foundation engineering, Standard Publishers
distributers, New Delhi, Seventh Edition.
• Behzad Kalantari, Arun Prasad and Bujang B.K. Huat (2012) Use of cement
polypropylene fibres and optimum moisture content values of strengthen Peat,
International journal of physical sciences Vol. 7(8), pp 1276-1285.
• Priyanka M Shaka (2016), Laboratory investigation on Black cotton soils and Red soil
stabilized using Enzyme , International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
(IRJET), e-ISSN: 2395 -0056, Volume: 03 Issue: 06
• Matawal, D. S. (1990). Compaction Characteristics of Some Tropical Laterite soils OMC-
CBR Relationship, Journal of Engineering Research, JER 2(2).
• Nippon Slag Association (2006). The Slag Sector in the Industry. The Japan Iron and Steel
Federation, July 2006.
• Sahu A.K., Sunil Kumar and Sachan A.K. 2003. Quarry Stone Waste as Fine aggregate for
concrete. The Indian Concrete Journal, pp. 845-848.
• Satyanarayana Reddy, C.N.V and Moorthy, N.V.R (2002) "Potential of Rock Flour.
• Shankar, N.B and Ali, Md (1992), "Engineering Properties of Rock Flour", National
Conference on Cement and Building Materials From Industrial Waste, pp. 167-172.
• Gourley C.S. and Greening, P.A.K. (1997) , “ Use of Substandard Laterite Gravels as Road
Base Materials in Southern Africa”, International Symposium on Thin Pavements,
Surface Treatments and Unbound Roads, University of New Brunswick, Canada

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