Enhancing the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Value of Clayey-Sand Type of Soil in Mathura Region

Abstract

Road transportation is major mode of transportation over all the modes of transportation. Roads provide point to point transportation facility with freedom of movement. For the growth of any country like India roads play important role in transportation of either people or goods. Road surface which is used by vehicles for movement on road is called pavement. The bottom most layer of pavement is subgrade which is compacted layer of soil with required cross slope and gradients. This compacted layer of soil ie subgrade is an essential part of road construction and when it requires some standards to meet to be able to receive pavement layers. In some cases when it do not have sufficient properties such as: dry density, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value; soil needs to be treated so that it fulfills the requirements of subgrade. Lower CBR value will result into lower load carrying capacity of road and life. So it is necessary to treat and improve CBR value. For various type of soil there are different methods to improve the CBR value of subgrade. Here in this study efforts have been done to improve the CBR value of clayey sand type of soil, which is mostly present in the vicinity of the district Mathura. CBR value of clayey sand type of soil could be enhanced using materials like: lime, natural fibers, cement, fly ash, chemical compounds, etc. But in this study it has been tried to use natural occurring materials and waste material-Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), so that sustainable, cheap and locally available material could be used. Also the cost of construction does not increase substantially. Laboratory tests were performed and results showed that CBR value of clayey sand type of soil can be increased using materials - lime, jute fiber and RAP in various ratios as mentioned in detail in this study.