Stabilization of Expansive Soil Using Eko Soil Enzyme For Highway Embankment

Abstract

Expansive soils are problematic due to their poor shear strength, bearing capacity, permeability, and high compressibility. In this paper, investigation was carried out on the effects of stabilizing a soil having poor geotechnical properties with Eko Soil (ES) enzyme to find its application for use as highway embankment construction. The ES was found best agent as a stabilizer to improve the Atterbergs’ Limit and hence plasticity index (PI) of expansive soil (C) as well as the unconfined compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the same. Laboratory tests were performed with different percentages of ES, ranging from 1% to 6%. After satisfying result of PI, compaction test have performed on expansive soil with all combinations and found their respective optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry densities (MDD). The OMC in each combination were used to prepared UCS and CBR samples and tested after 7, 28, 45 and 90 days curing. The Atterberg’s limit, OMC, MDD, UCS and CBR of ES stabilized Expansive Soil found more reliable at 4% ES and 28 days curing period. The values of CBR and UCS get an enhancement of 347% and 334% respectively.