Investigation On The Combined Effect Of Marble Dust And Waste Paper Sludge To Improve The Geotechnical Properties Of Black Cotton Soil (The Case Of Gelan Area)

Abstract

Expansive soil like Black Cotton soil is a highly plastic soil that normally contains active clay minerals. When the water changes in expansive soil, the volume would be changed as well. These volume changes can lead to either swelling or shrinkage. Black cotton soil creates a problem in construction sites of Gelan area because of its swell and shrink behavior. When it comes in contact with water excessive swelling is caused and when water content decreases shrinkage occurs. Because of this movement lightly loaded structures such as foundations, pavements, canal beds, linings, and residential buildings that are found in this area are severely damaged. In the present study, an alternative method of soil stabilization using the combined effect of Marble dust and waste paper sludge is investigated based on laboratory test results. Black cotton soil is collected from construction site of Gelan area of two test pits of depth 1.5 meter. Laboratory tests for natural Black cotton soil and mixed with waste paper sludge and marble dust have studied. Standard compaction and unconfined compressive strength tests were performed by mixing Black cotton soil samples of two test pits with Waste paper sludge of 5, 10 and 15% by mass of soil. From these tests addition of 5% Waste Paper sludge is obtained as optimum content to improve soil strength. By taking the optimum waste paper sludge, Marble dust of 10, 20, 30 and 40% by mass is added to further improve the properties of the soil. The result shows that there is significant improvement of the soil in plasticity, swelling and strength characteristics. From the study it is concluded that addition of 5% waste paper sludge with 30% waste paper sludge is optimum amount to improve the properties of the soil. The optimum amount of marble dust and waste paper sludge also improved the compressibility characteristics of the soil.