Stabilization of Red mud using eko soil enzyme for highway embankment

Abstract

In this study red mud was stabilized along with different Eko Soil Enzyme (ES) content. The variation of ES in the samples had been made 1-7% by volume of water. 7 samples of varying ES content of red mud were prepared and tested for index and engineering properties. The unconfined compression strength samples were cured for 7, 28, 45 and 90 days to study the effect of longstanding curing at room temperature. The CBR tests on unsoaked and soaked samples were carried out to understand the mechanism of ES as stabilizing materials. Based on the experimental investigations it is found that addition of ES (up to 4%) to red mud increases the maximum dry density and decreases the optimum moisture content. The optimum mix was RM+ 4% which increase the soaked CBR by 580.9% and UCS by 578% at for curing period of 45 days. The aggregation and cementation may be the reason for the higher strength of red mud specimen stabilized with ES. The permeability and leachate characteristics are studied for different flowing periods from 1 to 7 days of RM+4%ES combination. An attempt further was made to understand the metal concentration in the leachate of raw red mud, red mud and ES combinations.