Abstract
Expansive soils are known for their volume changes due to fluctuation in the moisture content of the natural ground. This volume change causes huge destruction to many infrastructures. To avoid such damages, expansive soils should be well treated so that they become safe against bearing capacity failure and excessive settlement. In addition, everywhere plastic environmental pollution is a critical issue, which needs a proper way of utilization. This study primarily aimed at utilizing waste plastic materials with lime as subgrade pavement materials, which is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Plastic water bottles are used as reinforcement with lime to improve the plasticity and strength properties of the expansive soils. Various laboratory tests are conducted using plastic waste strips with 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% proportions as soil reinforcement and constant 5% of lime. Finally, significant improvements in CBR, unconfined compressive strength, and free swell are observed at 5% lime and 0.75% plastic waste strips. This study found that stabilizing expansive soil using plastic waste strips and lime has a great influence on the plasticity and strength parameters of the soil. This technique helps to reduce plastic pollution and minimize the cost of stabilizers used to stabilize the subgrade soil.
Highlights
Expansive soils have a unique behavior of shrinking and swelling due to the seasonal fluctuations of soil moisture during wetting and drying seasons. ese occur due to the presence of swelling clay minerals [1]. e semiarid and arid regions are highly exposed to infrastructure damages from expansive soils
Many methods have been proposed to control the volume change due to fluctuation in moisture content of the ground [7]. e most widely used techniques to improve the erratic behavior of expansive soils are chemical and mechanical stabilizations
Is study aimed to examine the effects of plastic waste strips and lime on the strength properties of expansive clay soil through experimental investigation. e investigation was carried out by laboratory tests on soil samples considering 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% plastic waste strips while taking a constant 5% lime. e results obtained from CBR, compaction, unconfined compressive strength, and swelling tests are showing the relevance of using plastic strips and lime to stabilize an expansive soil
Summary
Expansive soils have a unique behavior of shrinking and swelling due to the seasonal fluctuations of soil moisture during wetting and drying seasons. ese occur due to the presence of swelling clay minerals [1]. e semiarid and arid regions are highly exposed to infrastructure damages from expansive soils. Experimental study on expansive soil reinforced with polypropylene fiber shows that maximum dry density, swell characteristics, and shrinkage limit decrease with the addition of polypropylene fiber and increase in unconfined compressive strength, CBR, and tensile strength was observed.
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