Strength and Durability Characteristics of Red Soil Stabilised with Foundry Sand and Cement

Abstract

Utilisation of locally available marginal soil as a construction material is one wise choice when improve its characteristics. Foundry sand (FS) is an industrial by-product obtained from foundry industries. In the present project, an attempt has been made to enhance geotechnical characteristics of locally available marginal red soil (RS) by addition of FS in 10%, 30% and 50% to weight of dry soil. Further, the present project intends to blend a strong stabiliser like cement (C) to enhance the strength and durability of mix made with red earth and 30% FS In this regard, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% of cement is added to above mix. Addition of 5% C mixed with 30% FS has shown unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 1548.22 kPa. This strength has been achieved even after 12 cycles of alternate wetting–drying of specimens prepared by blending RS + 30%FS + 5%C mix. The addition of 5% C passing the required durability criteria. Moreover, UCS of 3442.02 kPa has been achieved even after 12 cycles of alternate wetting–drying of specimens prepared by blending RS + 30% + 7.5%C. FS is a sustainable material, and it can be used as an alternative to natural river sand for enhancing geotechnical characteristics of RS.