Use of Flyash and Lime for Stabilization

of Soft Soil
Varun Buwa
M. Tech Scholar, Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., V.J.T.I.,
Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Dr. A.S. Wayal

Associate professor,Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., V.J.T.I.,
Matunga, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT
Infrastructure projects such as highways, water reservoirs, railways, reclamation etc. requires earth
material in very huge quantity. Now a days in urban areas borrow earth is not easily available
which has to be hauled from a long distance Expansive soft soils are a worldwide problem that
poses several challenges for civil Engineers. This problematical soils are either removed and
replaced by good and better quality material or treated using additive. The stabilization of the
problematic soils is very important for many of the geotechnical engineering applications such as
pavement structures, roadways, building foundations, channel, water lines, and sewer lines to
avoid destruction due to settlement of expansive soft soil. Fly ash is one of the byproduct created
during the combustion of coal in coal-fired power plants. In order to understand the effects of Fly
ash and Lime on the stabilization of Marine Clay, laboratory tests on the Proctor Density Test and
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of untreated and treated soil specimens were performed. It is
found that the CBR value of the marine clay has been increased. Finally it is concluded from the
results that this stabilized marine clay is suitable to use as sub grade material for the pavement
construction and also for various foundations of buildings with 25% Fly ash and 9% Lime
combination.

KEYWORDS: Stabilization, Marine Clay, CBR, Fly ash, UCS.

INTRODUCTION
Infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, water reservoirs, reclamation etc. requires
earth material in very huge quantity. In urban areas, borrow earth is not easily available which has
to be hauled from a long distance. The technology use for soil improvement is one of the most
trustable and practical ways, and it is also economically feasible to increase the resistance of soil,
soil permeability, soil strength as well as to limit water absorption, control soil erosion, and soil
settlement (Eisazadeh (2010)). It is necessary to keep the cost of treatment as much as low
without compromising with the strength (Wayal A.S et al. (2007)). Using soil improvement
techniques rather than using other methods, such as replacing or adding reinforced soil, either in
terms of performance and ease of work and also from an economic aspect and the speed of work,

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 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6236

is thus justifiable. Nowadays, engineers, particularly in the geotechnical sector, use improving soil
technologies in many areas such as in retaining structures, road construction and buildings, and the
related materials especially in the foundation of buildings and to improve the coastal areas for
construction. Soil stabilization is the process of improving the physical and engineering properties
of a soil to obtain some predetermined targets (Eisazadeh (2010)) Stabilization is being used for a
variety of engineering works such as construction of all-weather roads and air-field pavements
including helipads, where the main aim is to increase the strength or stability of soil by making
best use of the locally available materials (Wayal A.S et al. (2013)). Dr. Wayal et al. (EJGE 2008)
did the study on the effect of gypsum and addition of dune sand on swelling pressure and various
properties of expansive soil in Rajasthan, India at various locations.
In India about 21.8 million hectares of the land area are covered with Expansive soft soils
(Marine clay). The properties of marine soil depend significantly on its initial conditions. The aim
of this study is to evaluate the performance of Marine clay when stabilized with Fly Ash as an
admixture and its suitability for the pavement sub grade and also the performance of stabilized
Marine clay with an optimum of Fly Ash, Lime and their suitability for the pavements.

MATERIALS AND TEST METHODS

Marine clay
The marine clay used in the study collected from the excavation work for road construction of
Sewri Mahul road. The Index & Engineering properties of marine soil are determined as per IS
code of practice. The samples were strongly sealed and wrapped with plastic after collecting to
conserve the original moisture contents before transported, stored at room temperature and before
testing in laboratory. The sample were tested for physical properties accordingly to IS 2720 (Part
V) 1985. And result are shown in Table 1.
Visual characteristics of soil:
Colour - Black colour ; Odour - Odour of decaying vegetation; Texture -Fine grained; Dry
strength-Medium; Dylatancy -Less Sluggish Plasticity; Classification- Highly Compressible Clay
(CH)

Table 1: Physical properties of Marine clay

Sr. No. Property Symbol Value
1 Gravel % 0%
2 Sand % 10%
3 Silt % 24%
4 Clay % 66%
5 Liquid Limit WL 58.62%
6 Plastic Limit WP 30.30%
7 Plastic Index IP 28.32%
8 Soil Classification CH
9 Specific Gravity G 2.3
10 Differential free Swell DFS 50%
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6237

Figure 1: Marine clay sample Figure 2: Fly ash

Fly Ash
Fly ash is a waste material of burning coal at electric power plants. The fly ash used in the
study collected from Thermal Power Plant, located at Eklahare village near Nashik in
Maharashtra. The power plant is one of the coal based power plants of Maharashtra State Power
Generation Company. Fly ash generally gray and comes in powder form.

Table 2. Chemical composition of Indian Fly ash

Constituent Percentage Range (%)
Silica (SiO2) 49-67
Alumina (Al2O3) 16-29
Iron Oxide (Fe2O3 4-10
Calcium Oxide (CaO) 20-30
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) 0.2-2
Sulphur (SO3) 0.1-2
Loss on ignition 0.5-3

Lime
Commercial grade lime mainly consisting of 58.67% CaO and 7.4% Silica used in this study.
Commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound. It is a white,
caustic, alkaline crystal solid at room temperature.

EXPERIMENTAL TESTING
Sample preparation
The design for a new construction should be based on the strength of the samples prepared at
optimum moisture content (OMC) corresponding to the Proctor compaction and soaked in water
for period of four days before testing. It has been reported that, soaking for four days may be very
severe
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6238

and may be discarded in some cases, (Bindra 1991).

The samples were prepared for CBR at OMC and compacted using Dynamic Compaction
(Modified Proctor Test) as per IS: 2720-Part 8 -1974.The amount of fly ash was varied 20, 25 and
30 percent by dry weight of soil and lime varied were 5, 7 and 9 percent by dry weight of soil.
Laboratory tests carried out as per IS: 2720.
For proctor density test a representative portion of air-dried soil material and large enough to
provide about 6 kg of material passing a 19-mm IS sieve. This portion shall be sieved on a 19 mm
IS sieve and the coarse fraction rejected after its proportion of the total sample has been recorded.
Atterberg’s Limits i.e. Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index are done as per IS 2720-
Part 5

TESTING PROCEDURE
To find the optimum proportion of Fly ash and lime in stabilization of marine clay, the amount
of fly ash were varied 20, 25 and 30 percent by dry weight of soil and lime varied were 5, 7 and 9
percent by dry weight of soil. Laboratory tests carried out as per IS: 2720.The test carried out on
both normal soil and stabilized soil. Specific gravity test, Grain size analysis, Atterberg limits,
Proctor compaction test, California Bearing Ratio value (CBR) test. Standard Proctor tests were
conducted without curing. The samples were prepared at the corresponding OMC and MDD, and
the tests were conducted as per the procedure given by the relevant Indian standard Codes.

LABORATORY TEST
The laboratory testing had been done in this study to determine the physical properties of clay
soil and Fly ash samples.
Atterberg Limits:
The Liquid and Plastic Limits (Atterberg Limits) of soil indicate the water contents at which
certain changes in the physical behavior of soil can be observed. From Atterberg limits, it is
possible to estimate the engineering properties of fine-grained soils. The plastic limit is the
moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a semi-solid to a plastic or flexible state.
The liquid limit is the moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a plastic to a
viscous fluid state.
Proctor density test:
Purpose of a laboratory compaction test is to determine the proper quantity of mixing water to
be used, when compacting the soil in the field and the resulting degree of denseness which can be
expected from compaction at optimum moisture content. To accomplish this, a laboratory
test which will give a degree of compaction comparable to that obtained by the field
method used is necessary. The test will be carry out as per IS 2720 Part-8.

California Bearing Ratio (CBR):

Most of the Indian highways system consists of flexible pavements; there are different
methods of design of flexible pavement. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is an empirical
method of design of flexible pavement design. It is a load test applied to the surface and used in
soil investigations as an aid to the design of pavements. The samples were prepared for CBR at
OMC and compacted using Dynamic Compaction (Modified Proctor Test) as per IS: 2720-Part 8 -
1974. CBR defined as the ratio of the load sustained by the specimen at 2.5 or 5.0 mm penetration
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6239

to the load sustained by standard load aggregates at corresponding penetration level. This
laboratory study involved the CBR test for soaked and unsoaked condition of clay soil sample
stabilized with optimum percentage of Fly ash and Lime in this study. The samples were prepared
with its optimum moisture content and were compacted at their maximum dry density using static
compaction machine.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

ATTERBERG LIMITS
Table 3: Results for Atterberg Limits Tests
Sr. Property Sample
no. 100% 80%Clay+ 75%Clay 70%Clay 75%Clay+25% FA
Clay 20% FA + +
25% FA 30%FA
5%Lime 7%Lime 9%Lime
1 Liquid Limit (%) 58.6% 52.53% 46.62% 45.70% 46.30% 44.85% 43.20%
2 Plastic Limit 30.3% 30.80% 32.40% 33.20% 34.80% 36.70% 36.50%
( %)
3 Plastic Index (%) 28.32% 21.73% 14.22% 12.5% 11.5% 8.15% 6.7%
4 Soil Classification CH CH CH CH CH CH CH
5 Specific Gravity 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.53 2.61 2.58 2.67

6 Differential free 50% 30% 20% 20% 12.8% 9.5% 7.6%

Swell (%)

STANDARD MODIFIED PROCTOR DENSITY TEST

Modified proctor density test were conducted to get the OMC and MDD of the mix of
different proportions of soil, Fly Ash and Lime using modified proctor compaction machine.
Compaction is the process of densification of soil mass by reducing air voids. The purpose of
laboratory compaction test is so determine the proper amount of water at which the weight of the
soil grains in a unit volume of the compacted is maximum, the amount of water is thus called the
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC). In the laboratory different values of moisture contents
and the resulting dry densities, obtained after compaction are plotted both to arithmetic
scale. The points thus obtained are joined together as a curve. The maximum dry density
and the corresponding OMC are read from the curve.

STANDARD MODIFIED PROCTOR DENSITY TEST

As per IS: 2720(Part 08)1983

The values of Procter density test of specimens with different Fly ash content are presented in
table no 3. As seen, as increase in fly ash content from 20% induces a gradual increase in Dry
density and decrease in water content. As shown in graph, the Dry density of each specimen
improved by increasing the Fly ash content. Compared with the untreated specimens.
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6240

PROCTOR DENSITY CURVE

1.8
1.75
1.7
DRY DENSITY IN g/cc

1.65
1.6
100% Clay
1.55
1.5 80%Clay + 20% FA
1.45 75% clay + 25% FA
1.4 70% clay + 30% FA
1.35
1.3
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

% OF MOISTURE CONTENT

Figure 3: Proctor density curve

Table 4: Optimum moisture content and Maximum Dry Density
Values of Marine clay and Fly ash
Mix proportion Water Content (%) OMC Dry Density (g/cc) MDD
100% Soil 27.50 1.55
80% Soil + 20% FA 19.25 1.62
75% Soil + 25% FA 8.75 1.755
70% Soil + 30% FA 7.50 1.79

VARIATION OF OMC WITH FA VARIATION OF MDD WITH FA

30 1.85
25 1.8
MDD(GM/CC)

20 1.75
1.7
OMC(%)

15
1.65
10 1.6
5 1.55
0 1.5
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
FA(%)
FA (%)

Figure 4: Variation of OMC with FA (%) Figure 5: Variation of MDD with FA (%)

It can be seen from the figure 4 and 5 that there were specific changes in the treated samples
with 25 % of Fly ash content. The Dry Density of Clay sample was maximum with the 25 % of fly
ash combination. So it seems that optimum amount of Fly ash in Marine clay is at 25 %. Of fly ash
combination. So based on this result of proctor density test the extra lime content is also added in
proportion of 25% Fly ash with lime varied were 5, 7 and 9 percent by dry weight of soil.
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6241

Table 5: Variation of OMC and MDD with FA+ Lime content

Mix proportion Water Content (%) OMC Dry Density (gm./cc) MDD
100% Soil 27.5 1.55
75% Soil +25%FA+5%Lime 29.32 1.34
75% Soil +25%FA+7%Lime 18.5 1.62
75% Soil +25%FA+9%Lime 11.75 1.67

VARIATION OF OMC WITH LIME VARIATION OF MDD WITH LIME

35 2
30
1.5

MDD(GM/CC)
25
OMC(%)

20
1
15
10 0.5
5
0 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10

% OF LIME % OF LIME

Figure 6: Variation of OMC with Lime (%) Figure 7: Variation of MDD with Lime (%)

THE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST (IS: 2720 - PART 16)

The California bearing ratio test is penetration test meant for the evaluation of subgrade
strength of roads and pavements. California bearing ratio is the ratio of force per unit area required
to penetrate in to a soil mass with a circular plunger of 50mm diameter at the rate of 1.25mm/min.
The results obtained by these tests are used with the empirical curves to determine the thickness of
pavement and its component layers. This is the most widely used method for the design of flexible
pavement.
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6242

PENETRATI O N CURVE
100% 80% Clay+ 20% FA 75 % Clay + 25% FA 70% Clay +30 % FA
260
240
220
200
ACTUAL LOAD IN KG

180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
PENETRATION IN MM

Figure 8: The California Bearing Ratio Test curve

Generally, the CBR value at 2.5 mm penetration will be greater than that at 5 mm penetration
and in such a case, the former shall be taken as the CBR value for design purposes. If the CBR
value corresponding to a penetration of 5 mm exceeds that for 2.5 mm, the test shall be repeated. If
identical results follow, the CBR corresponding to 5 mm penetration shall be taken for design.
Here we are getting higher CBR value corresponding to a penetration 5mm for sample (75% soil +
25% fly ash) and (70% soil + 30% fly ash) so we repeat the experiment for the same sample and
we got the identical results nearby previous 5mm penetration reading so the same value is taken
for result.

Table 6: Variation of soaked CBR values with Fly Ash

Mix proportion Water Content (%) Soaked CBR
100% soil 27.5 2.04
80%soil+20%FA 19.25 2.01
75%soil+25%FA 8.75 6.08
70%soil+30%FA 7 3.60
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6243

VARIATION OF CBR WITH FA

8
7
6
5
CBR(%)

4
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
FA (%)

Figure 9: Variation of CBR with FA (%) content

The CBR values of Marine Clay sample was maximum with the 25 % of fly ash combination.
So it seems that optimum amount of Fly ash in Marine clay is 25 %. So based on this result of
CBR test the extra lime content is also added in proportion of 25% Fly ash with lime varied were
5, 7 and 9 percent by dry weight of soil.

PENETRATION CURVE
75% Clay+25% FA+5%Lime 75%Clay+25%FA+7%Lime 75%Clay+25%FA+9%Lime

450
400
ACTUAL LOAD IN KG

350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
PENETRATION IN MM

Figure 10: CBR results for Optimum Fly ash treated marine clay with various % of Lime
 Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6244

Table 7: Properties of the stabilized marine clay

Value
100% 75%MC 75%MC 75%MC 75%MC
Sr. Property Symbol Marine + + + +
No
Clay 25% FA 25%FA 25%FA 25%FA
+ + +
5%Lime 7%Lime 9%Lime
Liquid Limit
1 WL 58.62% 46.62% 46.30 44.85 43.20%
(%)
Plastic Limit
2 WP 30.30% 32.40% 34.80 36.70 36.50%
( %)
Plastic Index
3 IP 28.32% 14.22% 11.5 8.15 6.7%
(%)
Soil
4 - CH CH CH CH CH
Classification
5 Specific Gravity G 2.30 2.50 2.55 2.60 2.67
Differential free DFS 50% 20% 12.5% 9.8% 7.69%
6
Swell (%)
Optimum
7 Moisture O.M.C 27.5% 8.75% 29.32% 18.5% 12%
Content (%)
Maximum Dry M.D.D. 1.55gm/cc 1.78gm/cc 1.34gm/cc 1.62gm/cc 1.67gm/cc
8
Density
CBR Value (%) 2.04% 6.08% 11.81% 13.38% 15.57%
9
(soaked)

CONCLUSIONS
1. It is noticed that the liquid limit of the marine clay has been decreased by 23.88% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further decreased by 26.30% when 9% lime
is added.
2. It is observed that the plastic limit of the marine clay has been improved by 6.93% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further improved by 20.46%when 9% lime
is added
3. It is observed that the plasticity index of the marine clay has been decreased by
49.78% on addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further decreased by 76.54%
when 9% lime is added.
4. It is found that the O.M.C of the marine clay has been decreased by 68.18% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further decreased by 56.36% when 9% lime
is added.
5. It is found that the M.D.D of the marine clay has been improved by 14.83% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been improved by 7.74% when 9% lime is added.
Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6245

6. It is observed that the C.B.R. value of the marine clay has been increased by 198% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further improved by 663 % when 9% lime is
added
7. It is observed that the DFS value of the marine clay has been decreased by 60% on
addition of 25% Fly Ash and it has been further decreased by 84% when 9% lime is
added.
8. The soaked CBR of the soil on stabilizing is found to be 15.57% and is satisfying
standard specifications. So finally it is concluded from the above results that the
stabilized marine clay is suitable to use as sub grade material for the pavement
construction and also for various foundations of buildings.

REFERENCES
1. Ameta N. K., Purohit D.G. M and Wayal A. S., “Characteristics, Problems and
Remedies of Expansive soils of Rajasthan, India”, Electronic Journal of Geotechnical
Engineering (EJGE), Vol.13, Bundle A, 2008.
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Vol. 21 [2016], Bund. 18 6246

11. S. Bhuvaneshwari, R. G. Robinson, S. R. Gandhi “STABILIZATION OF

EXPANSIVE SOILS USING FLYASH”, Fly Ash India 2005, New Delhi
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© 2016 ejge

Editor’s note.
This paper may be referred to, in other articles, as:
Varun Buwa and Dr. A.S. Wayal: “Use of Flyash and Lime for Stabilization
of Soft Soil” Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2016 (21.18),
pp 6235-6246. Available at ejge.com.