Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference

December 22-24, 2013, Roorkee

SOIL STABILIZATION USING POZZOLANIC MATERIAL AND JUTE FIBRE

B. Pandey* PG Student, S.V. National Institute of Technology, balbirpandey123@gmail.com

K. Bajaj, PG Student, S.V. National Institute of Technology, 16ketan1990@gmail.com
A P Singh, PG Student, M.N. National Institute of Technology, akhand64@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Every year millions of tonnes of pozzolonic material is produced all over India which is categorized
as hazardous material. It is better to use such pozzolonic materials in variety of ways, including roadbeds,
construction fill or cement admixture. In this project for making economical pavement following pozzolanic
materials such as fly ash, jute, lime and water proofing compounds are used for improving the properties of black
cotton soil. A series of Proctor Compaction tests and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests have been carried out
including Atterberg’s Limit on soil mixed with jute fiber of different diameters (2 to 8mm) and lengths (0.5 to 2.0
mm) in different percentage (0.2 to 1.0%) to find out the optimal quantity and also with different quantity of fly ash
(10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) and lime (1% to 5%). It is concluded that mixing of 1% jute fiber, 20% fly ash and 5%
lime together in a soil gives better result as compare to individually addition of each material for soil improvement
and reduces the cost of road (black cotton soil) near about 50-60% and improves the C.B.R value near about 18-20
times. The research has immense benefit in soil stabilization of sub grade.

INTRODUCTION:
Soil stabilization is a process by which we can physical and chemical mechanism of reactions
improve the soil characteristics & its economy. involved in lime stabilization of soil or soil fly ash
Stabilization, in a broad sense, incorporates the mixture. Dhariwal [5] carried out performance
various methods implement for modifying the study on California bearing ratio (CBR) of fly ash
properties of a soil and improves the engineering reinforced with jute and non-oven fibers. Robert
properties and performance of soil. Expansive soil [6] recommended that Rice Husk Ash (RHA)
is very sensitive to variation in moisture content content of 12% and a fly ash (FA) content of 25%
and exhibit large volume change. These soil suitable for strengthening the expansive sub-grade
because more damage to light building and soil. A fly ash content of 15% is suggested for
pavements, than any natural hazard. In India the blending into RHA for forming a swell reduction
black cotton soil is one of such soils .It is important layer. Emilliani et.al [7] and McLaren et.al [8]
to find a soil at particular site to be satisfactory for investigated standard Proctor Maximum Dry
intended use but unfortunately it doesn’t happens. Densities (MDD) varied between 11.6 and 18.4
For this project it was found that entire area was kN/m3 and the Optimum Water Contents (OMC)
covered with soil having liquid limit varying from ranged from 12 to 34% for class F fly ash. National
25-38%. During summer extensive cracks were Cooperative Highway Research Report (NCHRP)
noticed also the CBR value was very low i.e 1.499 [9], Washington DC report Foundry Sand Facts
%. Until recently the lime and Portland cement has civil engineering states that fly ash can be used for
been used to stabilize these soil .In present study ground improvement and many other civil
instead of borrowing material from long distance it engineering fields. The effect of polymer fiber
was proposed to use material after stabilization inclusion on plain fly ash was studied by
with fly ash, jute fibers and lime along with water Chakraborty and Dasgupta [10] by conducting
proofing compounds (WPC). triaxial tests. The fiber content ranging from 0 to 4
Various investigators have conducted studies % by weight of fly ash was used with constant
regarding study of fly ash and lime like Mitchell fiber aspect ratio of 30. Kaniraj and Gayatri [11]
[1], Maher et al [2,3], In 1972 Ingles & Metcalf [4] indicated that 1% polyester fibers (6 mm length)
extensively described in his literature about increased strength of raw fly ash and change their

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Balbir Pandey, Ketan Bajaj, A.P. Singh

brittle failure into ductile. Bajaj et.al [12] of soil, fly ash and lime with varying % of jute
recommends that in the cases of pozzolonic fiber at the optimum moisture content and
material like fly ash strength with respect to maximum dry density.
penetration first decreases and then increases and
there is 23% reduction in cost with the replacement ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF THE
of clayey sand with fly ash. MATERIAL USED
In this investigation, an attempt is made to study in
what way fly ash and fibers along with lime & Soil and Fly Ash (FA) property
WPC may be effectively utilized in combination The soil used in the study was locally available soil
with soil to get an improved soil material which and fly ash obtained from NTPC power plant.
may be used in various soil structures. Fly ash is According to IS soil classification system soil was
obtained from NTPC Singrauli power plant (M.P.); classified as sandy clay (SC) and fly ash was
locally available soil has been used in this classified as poorly graded sand (SP). All the tests
experimental investigation. CBR characteristic were carried out as per the relevant Indian
individually as well as of most appropriate standards. The chemical properties of FA and lime
combination of the materials used have been [13] are shown in Table 1 and physical properties
studied at optimum moisture content and of the collected soil sample and fly ash used are
maximum dry density. The variation of California listed in Table 2.
Bearing Ratio (CBR) value versus % combination
of various materials used was studied. A series of Table 1 Chemical Properties of FA used
Proctor Compaction tests and CBR tests have been Constituent FA LIME
carried out including Atterberg’s Limit on soil Al2O3 26.8 7.25
mixed with jute fiber of different diameters (2 to SiO2 55.3 25.32
8mm) and lengths (0.5 to 2.0 mm) in different Fe2O3 13.6 6.85
percentage (0.2 to 1.0%) to find out the optimal CaO 2.98 60.26
quantity and also with different quantity of fly ash MgO 1.24 2.32
(10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) and lime (1% to 5%). It Loss on ignition 13.3 8.26
is concluded that mixing of 1% jute fiber, 20% fly
ash and 5% lime together in a soil gives better The lime used in this work is having plasticity
result as compare to individually addition of each index of 20 and is reactive with soil to form the
material for soil improvement and reduces the cost quick lime with the soil moisture and used for soil
of road (black cotton soil) near about 50-60% and improvement. Jute fibers (JF) of different
improves the CBR value near about 18-20 times. diameters (2 to 8mm) and lengths (0.5 to 2.0 mm)
has mixed with the black cotton soil for the
SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE improvement of its properties. Sodium carbonate
In the present study, an attempt is made to study and sodium sulphate is used as water proofing
how fly ash, lime and jute fibers may be effectively agent in this study. The material used are also
utilized in combination with locally available soils shown in figure 1
to get an improved quality of composite material
which may be used in various soil structures. The Table 2 Physical properties of material used
soil used in investigation was obtained from Properties Values
Kappuri village In Rewa district of M.P , fly ash Soil FA
from NTPC singrauli (M.P)., lime and WPC from Specific Gravity 2.64 2.36
market. This research aims at investigation of MDD(g/cc) 1.84 1.23
various technical properties like specific gravity, OMC (%) 15.5 31.2
liquid limit & plastic limit, particle size Coefficient of 25.7 3.1-10.7
distribution and compaction characteristic of uniformity(Cu)
material individually. The objective of present Coefficient of curvature 5.73 0.61-
work is to study the most appropriate combination

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 Soil Stabilization using Pozzolonic Material and jute fiber

(Cc) 3.70 M22 0.5 2.5 15 2 OMC

Liquid Limit (%) 35.67 63.5 M23 0.5 2.5 20 2 OMC
Plastic Limit (%) 25.68 46.2 M24 0.5 2.5 25 2 OMC
Permeability (m/sec) 2.14E- 1.5E-04 M31 1 5.0 10 2 OMC
07 M32 1 5.0 15 2 OMC
Angle of internal friction (°) - 35 M33 1 5.0 20 2 OMC
Shear Strength (kPa) 23.5 - M34 1 5.0 25 2 OMC
Unsoaked CBR (%) 10.32 9.25 M41 0.5 5.0 10 2 OMC
Soaked CBR (%) - 8.82 M42 0.5 5.0 15 2 OMC
M43 0.5 5.0 20 2 OMC
M44 0.5 5.0 25 2 OMC

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Compaction Characteristics
IS Light compaction tests were carried out on
different proportions of fly ash and soil in
accordance with the procedure laid in IS:2720 (Part
VII) 1980/87 so as to study their moisture –density
relationship. IS-2720 recommends that a mould of
Fig.1 Material Used 1000 ml capacity having an internal diameter of
100 mm and an internal effective height of 127.5
METHODOLOGY mm should be used. The rammer has a mass of 2.6
The laboratory studies were carried out in two Kg with a drop of 310 mm. In this test sample is
phases compacted at various water contents in three
1. Test for the index properties of the soil along layers. Each layer is given 25 blows. Fig. 2 & 3
with the CBR value. shows the variation in the maximum dry density
2. Modification of soil for CBR determination as (MDD) and corresponding optimum moisture
per table 3 Content (OMC) for different percentages of fly ash
and lime content respectively. The MDD value
The blending operation was carried out manually increased initially and then it started decreasing.
and care was taken for uniform mixing. Laboratory The MDD was found maximum for 75% soil and
tests are carried out in accordance with relevant 25% fly ash proportion. It has seen that MDD of
Indian standards. In the first phase index properties FA and lime as 1.795 kg/m3 and 1.6 kg/m3
such as specific gravity (IS 2720: Part 3), liquid respectively. The MDD value is affected by grain
limit & Plastic limit (IS 2720: part 5), Grain size size distribution factor. It is evident from the grain
analysis (part 4), Standard proctor test, and the size distribution that increase in fly ash content up
CBR (soaked) are evaluated for soil blended with to 25% in soil results into a well graded mixture
all materials. and it results in increase in density of soil blend.
The value of OMC increases with increase in fly
Table 3 % of material used ash and lime content. With the addition of fiber
Method % of each material content in the blend of soil with 25% fly ash, the
JF Lime FA WPC Water MDD value initially increased and then it went on
M11 1 2.5 10 2 OMC decreasing. The value of OMC initially decreased
M12 1 2.5 15 2 OMC then it went on increasing. Increase in the MDD
M13 1 2.5 20 2 OMC value might be because of the reason that when
M14 1 2.5 25 2 OMC fiber was added it occupied the void spaces present
M21 0.5 2.5 10 2 OMC in soil fly ash mixture. When fiber content was
increased beyond the optimum value the MDD

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Balbir Pandey, Ketan Bajaj, A.P. Singh

value got decreased. The fiber cross-section is 1.66 18.5

circular and surface area is more so when fiber
content is increased beyond the optimum value

Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3

1.64 18
more void spaces were created resulting decrease
in value of MDD. MDD value was found

Optimum Moisture Content (%)

maximum. Fig. 4 shows the variation in MDD and 1.62 17.5
OMC with fiber content.
1.9 20
1.6 17

1.8
1.58 16.5
19

Optimum Moisture Content (%)

1.7
Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3)

1.56 OMC 16

18 MDD
1.6
1.54 15.5
0 0.5 1 1.5
MDD % Fibre
1.5
17 Fig.4 Variation of OMC and MDD with fiber
OMC

1.4 The compaction test between all the mixtures as

16 per table 3 is performed to find the OMC of all the
1.3 mixes. The compaction curves shown in figure5 is
between first eight samples as per table 3 in which
lime content remains constant as 2.5% and fiber
1.2 15 changes from 15 and 0.5% with the change in fly
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Fly Ash content
ash content as 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by weight
of total soil sample.
Fig.2 Variation of OMC and MDD with FA 2
M11
M12
1.7 18 M13
1.9 M14
M21
M22
Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3)

1.6 M23
17
Optimum Moisture Content (%)
Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3)

1.8 M24

1.5
16 1.7
1.4
MDD
15 1.6
1.3 OMC

14 1.5
1.2

1.4
1.1 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Optimum Moisture Content (%)
Lime content
Fig. 5 compaction curve of M11 to M24 as per
Fig.3 Variation of OMC and MDD with Lime
table 3

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 Soil Stabilization using Pozzolonic Material and jute fiber

The compaction curves shown in figure6 is fly ash and with different proportions of soil, fly
between next eight samples as per table 3 in which ash, and lime and jute fiber along with WPC.
lime content remains constant as 5% and fiber For this experiment 5 kg of crushed black cotton
changes from 15 and 0.5% with the change in fly soil is taken passes from 2.75 mm IS sieve and
ash content as 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by weight mixed with pozzolonic material and jute fiber at
of total soil sample. OMC getting from compaction test as per table 3.
It has been seem from figure 5 and 6 that for the The mix was soaked for 96 hours and after that
mix having fly ash content as 20% (M34 and M43) CBR test was performed on all. Load is applied on
with lime content as 5% weight of the soil mass the sample by a standard plunger with diameter of
has approximately same MDD. Similar pattern is 50 mm at the rate of 1.25 mm/min. A load
seen for the M14 and M23. The mixture having fly penetration curve is drawn. The load values on
ash as 20%, fiber 1% and lime content 5% i.e. M33 standard crushed stones are 1370 kg and 2055 kg at
having the uppermost MDD of 2 kg/m3. It has also 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm penetrations respectively. As
seemed that with the increase in FA content from in many cases CBR value at 5.0 mm is more than
20% the MDD goes on decreasing. For the mix 2.5 mm, test was repeated and 5.0 mm penetration
M12 and M32 with change in lime content from CBR value was taken. It has seen from figure 7
2.5 to 5%, the MDD increased by 5%. Similarly that M12 is having more strength upto 5.0 mm
for the increase in fiber content the MDD also penetration but the flexibility is less as compared
increases for the same content of fly ash and lime. to M13, similar result has been shown from the
figure 8 and 10 also.
2.1
M31
M32 900
M33
2 M34 Soil
M41 800
M11
M42
M43 M12
1.9 M44 700
Maximum Dry Density (kg/m3)

M13
600 M14
1.8
Load (kgf)

500

1.7
400

1.6 300

200
1.5

100

1.4
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 0
Optimum Moisture Content (%) 0 2 4 6 8 10
Penetration (mm)
Fig. 6 compaction curve of M11 to M24 as per
table 3
Fig. 7 Load-Penetration curve for M11 to M14 as
Strength Characteristics per table 3
California bearing ratio tests (CBR) were carried
out on soil, soil mixed with lime, soil mixed with

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Balbir Pandey, Ketan Bajaj, A.P. Singh

800 1000
Soil Soil
M21 900 M41
700 M42
M22 800 M43
M23 700 M44
600 M24
600

Load (kgf)
500
500
400
Load (kgf)

400 300

200
300 100

0
200 0 2 4 6 8 10
Penetration (mm)
Fig. 10 Load-Penetration curve for M41 to M44 as
100 per table 3

0 It has seemed from the figure 9 that M33 has

0 2 4 6 8 10 maximum load and flexibility as compared to other
Penetartion (mm) three mixes. So from the CBR test of all the mix it
Fig. 8 Load-Penetration curve for M21 to M24 as has been concluded that M33 is having maximum
per table 3 CBR values as compared to other mixes as shown
in table 4.
1100

1000 Soil Table 4 CBR value of all Mix

CBR Value
900 M31 Mix as per
table 3 2.5 mm 5 mm
800 M32
Soil 1.124088 1.311436
M33
700 M11 15.17518 18.73479
M34 M12 24.81679 35.29219
Load (kgf)

600
M13 16.83778 26.56949
500 M14 8.858781 17.84679
400 M21 13.56058 17.77518
M22 23.91387 31.64234
300
M23 15.64308 23.95989
200 M24 7.372285 16.27745
M31 16.17372 20.43796
100
M32 25.71971 38.94204
0 M33 28.84891 41.3781
0 2 4 6 8 10
M34 10.34528 19.41614
Penetration (mm)
M41 14.88569 19.11893
Fig. 9 Load-Penetration curve for M31 to M34 as M42 25.40036 35.30803
per table 3 M43 16.75795 26.10292
M44 8.115533 16.89781

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 Soil Stabilization using Pozzolonic Material and jute fiber

It has found that with M33 the CBR value • The inclusion of fibers had a significant
increases upto 28 % which indicates that, the soil influence on the engineering behavior of soil-
thickness can be reduced by at least 50%. fly ash mixture. There is optimum percentage
of fiber content that increases the MDD of soil-
CONCLUSION fly ash mixture as seen from mix M13 and
Fly ash is waste material imposing hazardous M23.
effect on environment and human health, also it • Based upon the study it was concluded that
can’t be disposed of properly and its disposal is proportion of 1% jute fiber+ 20% fly ash and
not economically viable but if it is blended with 5% lime together in a soil is the best
combination of materials having maximum
other construction materials like clayey soil then it
CBR value. Hence this proportion may be used
can be used best for various construction purposes in road embankments.
like sub grade ,Foundation base and embankments.
The present study is aimed at improving the REFERENCES
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can be drawn: 10th Int. Conf. on Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering. International Society
• It has seen that MDD of FA and lime as 1.795 of Soil Mechanics and Foundation
kg/m3 and 1.6 kg/m3 at 20% and 5% of the total Engineering, London, 261-317.
soil content respectively [2]. Maher M. H. and Y.C. Ho (1994) Mechanical
• It has seemed that M33 has maximum load and Properties of Kaolinite /Fiber soil composite.
flexibility as compared to other three mixes. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering,
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and I.S. Oweis (1993) Lime sludge amended
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• M12 is having more strength upto 5.0 mm
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University, Philadelphia.
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from mix M13 to M33. [7]. Emilliani, A.G., Salma, D and Ismail, A.
(1994), Geotechnical properties of fly ash and

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Balbir Pandey, Ketan Bajaj, A.P. Singh

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