Role of Cement and Fly Ash in Soil Stabilization

Abstract

Soil stabilization changes the engineering properties of soil and produces strength and stability. Use of industrial wastes and manufactured materials in soil stabilization can be cost effective and environmental friendly. As there is a growth of habitations surrounding the PSIT campus, therefore, soil samples collected from this area were analyzed for its plasticity index properties. It was found that soils of this area come under low plastic category. Hence, the low plastic category soil was mixed with fly ash and cement having target to use maximum amount of fly ash and minimum amount of cement for soil stabilization. Hence, the proportions: 100% soil; 85% soil, 10% cement and 5% fly ash;82% soil, 8% cement and 10% fly ash; 79% soil, 6% cement and 15% fly ash; 76% soil, 4% cement and 20% fly ash and 73% soil, 2% cement and 25% fly ash were used in this study.All these proportions including soil were analyzed for particle size analysis, shear strength parameters (angle of shearing resistance and cohesion), compaction characteristics (optimum water content and maximum dry density) and California bearing ratio. Coefficient of uniformity and coefficient of curvature were assessed to determine the gradation of particles. Influences of mix proportions were studied on gradation of particles, angle of shearing resistance and cohesion, optimum water content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD) and California bearing ratio (CBR). Mix proportions improved the bearing capacity factors, decreased the OMC and increased the CBR values.

Keywords: Soil stabilization, cement, fly ash, shear strength parameters, compaction characteristics, California bearing ratio