A Study on Geotechnical Characteristics of Black Cotton Soil Treated with Red Mud and GGBS

Abstract

AbstractDisposal and storing of red mud, which is produced in a very large scale during bauxite refining, have become one of the most complex problem nowadays because of its high alkaline nature (pH > 11). To mitigate the negative impact of red mud on environment, it is essential to utilize red mud in different field of engineering. In this study, the efficacy of red mud and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) which is produced from steel manufacturing plant, in stabilizing black cotton soil. For finding out the change in engineering properties, three samples were prepared in which red mud was mixed as 10, 20, and 30% along with 20% GGBS. A remarkable decrease swelling property of black cotton soil after mixing red mud and GGBS was observed. Simultaneously, dry density and California bearing ratio was also increased when a certain percentage of red mud and GGBS was mixed. Improvement in engineering properties of black cotton soil after adding red mud and GGBS implies a successful application of industrial waste in geotechnical field after application of red mud and GGBS.KeywordsBlack cotton soilRed mudGGBSFree swell indexCBR