Use of gypsum and bagasse ash for stabilization of low plastic and high plastic clay

Abstract

Clays have a tendency to undergo volumetric changes when they interact with water. These soils are a very common reason for most of the foundation failures due to their degraded properties. With the growing need of infrastructure development, avoiding these soils for future constructions may not be possible. The present research is intended to examine the effect of gypsum and bagasse ash on the properties of clays and evaluate their potential for the stabilization and improvement of engineering properties of these soils. Gypsum is naturally occurring mineral and bagasse ash is a waste product produced by sugar-mills. Two types of swelling clays i.e. Low plastic, and high plastic clay, are used in this research for stabilization. Atterberg’s limits, compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength, California Bearing Ratio and swell potential of these soils are determined in both untreated as well as in treated form with varying content of gypsum and bagasse ash. The improvement observed for the combination of gypsum and bagasse ash is more significant as compared to the individual effect of gypsum or bagasse ash. Results obtained indicate that gypsum and bagasse ash can provide an effective and economical method for the improvement of Low and high plastic clays.