Soil Stabilization using Agricultural Waste

Abstract

The stability and strength of structure depends on Construction design and also on the strength of subgrade soil on which the structure is being erected. Soil should poses adequate strength and stability for a safe and economic Construction work. Construction work on Expansive soils poses a problem for Civil Engineers as such soil shows swelling and shrinking when exposed to changes in the moisture content, thus methods of Soil Stabilization can be adopted. This paper examined the Effects of Agricultural Waste such as Sugarcane Straw Ash (SCSA) and Coconut Husk Ash (CHA) as Stabilizer Material for Economic and Environmental Friendly way of Soil Stabilization. The Geotechnical lab tests carried out were Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Plasticity Index Water Content and Specific Gravity Test and Standard Proctor Test on soil. Engineering tests like California Bearing Ration (CBR) (unsoaked) was performed with percentage of 8% with and without Stabilizer Material. The results showed significant improvement in CBR with addition of stabilizers. The research concludes Sugarcane Straw Ash (SCSA) and Coconut Husk Ash (CHA) are very effective source of soil stabilization.