Compaction characteristics of fine grained soil and rice husk ash mixture

Abstract

This study presents the compaction characteristics of fine grained soil and rice husk ash (RHA) mixture. Three types of fine grained soils viz., montmorillonite clay, kaolinite clay, and one local soil has been used in the present study. From the compaction tests results it is observed that with increase in RHA content (0–30%) maximum dry density (MDD) decreases and also optimum moisture content (OMC) increases irrespective of types of fine grained soil. Based on the experimental data, a number of linear regression models have been developed to estimate MDD and also OMC of fine grained soil and RHA mixture. Empirical models also presented to estimate dry density in terms of water content of dry side of optimum or water content of wet side of optimum, compaction energy, RHA content, and also specific gravity of fine grained soil and RHA mixture. The above models may be useful for the field engineers within the range of compaction energy from 300 kJ m−3 to 2700 kJ m−3, RHA content from 0%–30%, specific gravity of fine grained soil and RHA mixture from 2⋅311–2⋅750, and OMC for soil from 16⋅8%–37⋅0%.