STABILIZATION OF BLACK COTTON SOIL OF INDORE REGION

Abstract

The first part of the thesis deals with the general properties and behaviour of Black Cotton Soils of India. Also a review of the literature on the investigations carried out for stabilizing the Black Cotton Soils in this country along with the work done on similar soils in other countries has been included. The laboratory investigations carried out on a typical Black Cotton Soil sample of Indore Region. forms the second part of the Thesis. The physical and chemical properties of the soil sample and the different materials used as admixtures viz., lime, cement, cinder, burnt soil, cutback bitumen and the other additives, were first analysed. The optimum moisture content corresponding to modified A,A.S.H.O. densities were determined for each combination of soil admixtures and the same used for preparing the specimens. All the specimens were tested for stability in terms of the Iowa Bearing Value. The percentage swelling and water absorption values after soaking for period corresponding to worst possible moisture conditions were also noted. The effect of stabilizing agents like lime and cement were studied individually and various other combina. tions of pozzolanic and chemical additives were tried in order to find the most effective and economic method of when the admixtures and additives were added in low concen. trations. Of the chemical additives tried, 0.5% aniline + furfural when used alongwith 4% lime gave an I.B.V. as high as 520 lbs and the percentage swelling and water absorption values were found to be negligibly small. Based on the beneficial results obtained in this study, using different combinations of admixtures and the findings thereof, it is desirable to extend this investiga-tion on the similar lines. The economic and effective method of stabiliza-tion, which has been evolved fraSI this study using lime and cinder to stabilize the Black Cotton Soil sample, may be elaborated with further laboratory and field investigations using different types of Black Cotton Soils of the country and suitable specifications may be laid down. for the construction.