Sub-grade characteristics of soil stabilized with agricultural waste, constructional waste, and lime

Abstract

The waste generated from the agriculture and construction sector is a serious threat to the environment due to its disposal problems. This study is an attempt to utilize agriculture and construction waste to stabilize the geotechnical properties of clayey soil to use the composite as sub-grade material. For this purpose, rice husk ash (agriculture waste) and construction demolition waste (used construction waste) are mixed in varying amounts in clayey soil alone and along with lime to obtain the best sub-grade material. The results of the experimental testing reveal that the geotechnical properties of clayey soil are improved by stabilizing it with various waste materials thereby solving their disposal problem thus sustaining a healthy environment. The use of wastes and lime in combination improves the unconfined compressive strength, California bearing ratio, and resilient modulus of the composite. The mix obtained on the addition of rice husk ash and construction demolition waste along with lime can be used as a sub-grade material thus achieving higher economic benefits.