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All content following this page was uploaded by Bashir Ahmed Mir on 14 June 2016.
B. A. Mir, Deptt of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar-190 006, J&K, India
E-Mail: p7mir@nitsri.net, bashiriisc@yahoo.com, bamiriitb@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Expansive soil is a worldwide problematic soil that causes extensive damage to civil
engineering structures. Documented evidence is available of the existence and problems
associated with expansive clays having occurred in countries like India, Africa, Australia,
USA and in Canada. Expansive soils of India, popularly known as black cotton soils, have
been subjected to extensive research. Expansive soils are also known as “Swelling Soils”,
“Heaving Soils”, and “Volume Changing Soils”. In INDIA, these soils are also known as
“REGUR SOILS”, which are highly argillaceous, somewhat calcareous, very fine-grained,
possesses unique capacity to hold water, very plastic, swell when wetted and exert high
swelling pressures when confined. When wet, they have a gooey texture and easily stick to
the soles of shoes, and when dry, they shrink and crack appears on the ground that often leads
to tilting of building foundation (Fig. 1). Various problems associated with these soils are:
structural problems through differential movement of the structure resulting in severe damage
to the foundations, buildings, roads, retaining walls, canal linings and movement of soils on
unstable slopes. In India, nearly 150 million tonnes of fly ash is being generated annually
posing dual problem of environmental pollution and difficulty in disposal, which calls for
establishing strategies to use the same effectively and efficiently. There exists a vast scope of
utilization of fly ash in Geotechnical constructions like lightweight embankments, road sub-
bases and structural landfill as a replacement to conventional earth material and cement.
Therefore, researchers and field engineers around the world are engaged in understanding the
behavior of expansive soils and in solving these associated problems and to find out ways and
means for economically and environmentally beneficial utilization of fly ash. To overcome
these problems, various improvement techniques have been used to improve expansive soils
for a safe design of structures. In this paper, a brief review has been made about possible pre
& post construction solutions, and fly ash stabilization of expansive soils has been studied in
detail to investigate immediate & long term behavior of fly ash modified expansive soils.
In this study, test specimens were prepared with expansive soil using a range of fly ash
contents (by dry weight of the soil) at 0.95γdmax and Optimum moisture content and subjected
to different tests with out and with curing time. The index and engineering properties of fly
ash stabilized specimens were evaluated. Reactions that occur in the soil-fly ash mixture
result in lower water contents, higher shear strength, and lower compressibility. Hence based
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B. A. Mir
on favorable results, it is concluded that the fly ash can be successfully used not only as an
effective stabilizer, but also as an engineered construction material. Thus the main objective
of present study was a two-fold: First, to overcome challenges posed by expansive soils by
choosing a suitable ground improvement technique and soil stabilizing agent, and second,
to avoid the tremendous environmental problems caused by large scale dumping of fly ash
by its economical and environmentally beneficial utilization in various Geotechnical
applications.
Keywords: Expansive soil, Solid waste, Environmental pollution, Waste utilization, Ground
improvement
2
IGC
50TH
50TH INDIAN GEOTECHNICAL CONFERENCE
17th – 19th DECEMBER 2015, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Venue: College of Engineering (Estd. 1854), Pune, India
B. A. Mir, Deptt of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar-190 006, J&K, India
E-Mail: p7mir@nitsri.net, bashiriisc@yahoo.com, bamiriitb@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Expansive soil is a worldwide problematic soil that causes extensive damage to civil engineering
structures worldwide due to various problems associated with it. On the other hand, in India, nearly 150 million
tonnes of fly ash is being generated annually posing dual problem of environmental pollution and difficulty in
disposal, which calls for establishing strategies to use the same effectively and efficiently. Therefore, in this paper,
an attempt has been made to use fly ash as an additive for stabilization of expansive soils. Test specimens were
prepared with expansive soil using a range of fly ash contents (by dry weight of the soil) at 0.95γdmax and Optimum
moisture content and subjected to different tests with out and with curing time. Based on favorable results, it is
concluded that the fly ash can be successfully used not only as an effective stabilizer, but also as an engineered
construction material.
1
B. A. Mir
soils for a safe design of structures. In this paper, a high shrink–swell potential can cause severe
brief review has been made about possible pre & damage to various structures constructed on or
post construction solutions, and fly ash in these expansive soils.
stabilization of expansive soils has been studied in
detail to investigate immediate & long term Roof slab
behavior of fly ash modified expansive soils.
In this study, test specimens were prepared with
expansive soil using a range of fly ash contents (by
dry weight of the soil) at 0.95γdmax and Optimum Wall pushed
moisture content and subjected to different tests outwards
with out and with curing time. The index and
engineering properties of fly ash stabilized
specimens were evaluated. Reactions that occur in
Roof slab
the soil-fly ash mixture result in lower water
pushed up
contents, higher shear strength, and lower
compressibility. Hence based on favorable results,
it is concluded that the fly ash can be successfully
used not only as an effective stabilizer, but also as
an engineered construction material. Thus the main
objective of present study was a two-fold: First, to Expansive soil
overcome challenges posed by expansive soils by
choosing a suitable ground improvement technique Fig. 1. Effects of swelling on a structure
and soil stabilizing agent, and second, to avoid the
tremendous environmental problems caused by 2. A second effect of expansive soils is the
large scale dumping of fly ash by its economical additional horizontal pressure applied to
and environmentally beneficial utilization in foundation walls in basements and crawl
various Geotechnical applications. spaces. Increased water content in the soils
adjacent to the foundation wall will cause the
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH soils to expand and increase the lateral pressure
EXPANSIVE SOILS on the foundation wall. If the foundation wall
Expansive soil is an expensive material. Expansive does not have sufficient strength, minor
soils occurring above water table undergo cracking, bowing or movement of the wall may
volumetric changes with changes in water content occur. Serious structural damage or failure of
[9-10]. Increase in moisture content causes the the wall may also occur.
following effects:
1. Expansive soils expand and contract due to 3. A third effect associated with claystone (a type
change in moisture content of the soil, causing of expansive soils) is the movement of soils on
structural Problems through differential unstable slopes. Expansive claystone soils
movement of the structure resulting in severe found as a layer under a more rigid top layer of
damage to the foundations, buildings, roads, soils, become unstable as the moisture content
retaining walls, canal linings etc. Fig. 1 increases, allowing the claystone and top layers
illustrates the kind of typical damage that a of the soil to move. If the soil is located on a
structure resting on an expansive soil may slope, the top layer of soil can creep.
suffer. The amount by which the ground can Consequently, a house with an inadequate
swell and/or shrink is determined by the water foundation built on unstable slopes can be
content in the near-surface zone. However, it subjected to creeping of the structure down
may be noted that swelling and shrinkage are slope or to failure of the structures in a
not fully reversible processes, and the effects of landslide.
2
Some Challenges associated with expansive soils and remedial measures
Pre-Construction Solutions
Prior to building the structure, a soil test of the site
should be performed to ensure that the soils are
stable or to determine the approximate effect the
soils will have on the structure. This will assist in
determining if the soils are capable of property
supporting the structure. In addition, information
on the soils can ensure that the foundation is
designed to withstand the effects of the existing
soil conditions, and assist in the development of
plans for long-term maintenance. Fig. 2. Special foundation in expansive soils
Post-Construction Solutions
For structures already in existence, several
possible solutions to counter the effects of
expansive soils are available. Common
preventative solutions include proper soil
maintenance such as maintaining a uniform and
constant moisture level in the soil. This may
involve introducing moisture into the soils,
excessive or isolated saturation of the soil through
proper drainage and grading techniques that
prevent swelling. For structures affected by
expansive soils, further movement can be
prevented by providing various methods of
underpinning (to prevent vertical movement and /
or sliding) and /or reinforcing of the foundation Fig. 3. Fill blanket as preventive measure against
walls (to withstand lateral pressure). failures in expansive soils
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B. A. Mir
4
Some Challenges associated with expansive soils and remedial measures
Table 3. Experimental Program for expansive soil- index properties and engineering properties. The
fly ash Mixtures test results are described as below:
Expansive Soil-BFA mixes
Specific gravity
Expansive Badarpur fly The specific gravity of natural soils ranges from
soil (%) ash, BFA (%) Gmix* 2.65 to 2.80. The specific gravity of expansive soil
(G=2.71) (G=2.18) and fly ashes was determined as per relevant
100 0 2.71 standard procedures [14] and test values are given
80 20 #
2.58 in Table 1. It is seen that Badarpur fly ash
60 40 2.47 possesses low specific gravity. Hence, low specific
40 60 2.37 gravity and a relatively uniform grain size
20 80 2.27 distribution, resulting in low unit weight will result
0 100 2.18 in lower earth pressure leading to savings. Specific
gravity values for soil-fly ash mixes is computed as
0 100$ 2.18
per experimental program as given in Table 3.
Expansive Soil-NFA mixes
Effect of fly ash on water holding capacity of
Expansive Neyveli fly ash, expansive soil
soil (%) NFA (%) Gmix Atterberg limits such as liquid limit, plastic limit
(G=2.71) (G=2.64) and shrinkage limit represent the water content
100 0 2.71 limits of fine grained soil at different consistency
90 10 2.70 states are extensively used in geotechnical
80 20 2.70 engineering. The values of liquid limit, plastic limit
60 40 2.68 and shrinkage limit are useful in the classification
40 60 2.67 of soils. They also provide an overall idea for the
20 80 2.65 engineering properties of the soils. Atterberg limit
0 100 2.64 tests were conducted as per relevant standard
#
: 20BFA = 20% BFA (BFA-by weight) + 80% procedure [15-16]. The liquid limit (air dried)
expansive soil and so on values of the expansive soil and fly ashes are 84 %,
$
: 8.5 % of lime (CaO) was added to BFA to make it at 50% and 40% respectively. However, fly ashes are
par with NFA in terms of lime content. inert material and possess liquid limit due to their
*: Specific gravity of composite soil sample fabric characteristics, which possess cenospheres
(e. g. soil +fly ash) is computed as: and due to water holding capacity. Shrinkage limit
For expansive soil (G=2.71) - Badarpur fly ash
(G=2.18) ratio of 80:20 for total mass of mix, M =100g
values are 8%, 36% and 38% for expansive soil,
(80g of soil + 20g of fly ash), the specific gravity of this BFA and NFA respectively. The liquid limit of the
soil-fly ash mixture is calculated as: Gmix=M/(Vs+Vf). expansive soil decreased with an increasing
Vs= Volume of expansive soil sample = 80/2.71 (cc) and amount of stabilizer. This is understandable since
Vf = Volume of fly ash = 20/2.18 (cc) fly ashes are coarse grained compared to expansive
soil resulting in the dilution of the liquid limit.
[Gs=γs/γw , γs=Gs (γw=1), V=M/γs=M/Gs, γs = M/V = soil
particle density of mix. Furthermore, they are inert and hence, even their
finer fractions do not contribute to the liquid limit
Therefore, Gmix= M/(Vs+Vf) & (Vs+Vf) =V].
values. The liquid limit of fly ashes is exhibited
Likewise, the specific gravity of other samples of soil-fly
ash mixtures is calculated in the same manner.
due to the flocculated structure of the fly ashes and
not due to the plasticity characteristics. Addition of
10% of Neyveli fly ash has changed the
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS classification of expansive soil from CH to MH,
The properties, which are of greatest important in MH-ML Effect of fly ash on liquid limit, plastic
the characterization of a material to be used as a limit, shrinkage limit and plasticity index of
resource material include are physical properties, expansive soil is illustrated in Fig. 4.
5
B. A. Mir
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
12
Fly ash content (%)
EXS
ZAV:EXS
6
Some Challenges associated with expansive soils and remedial measures
The increase in optimum moisture content is due to NFA are almost of the same order (NFA: 2.64 as
the presence of hollow cenospheres in fly ashes as against 2.71 of expansive soil). Because of the
well as increase in surface area of solids. The increased resistance offered by the fly ash, which is
increase in optimum moisture content can also be a coarser and uniformly graded material, γdmax
attrubuted on account of additional water held obtained is lesser than the γdmax of expansive soil.
within the flocs resulting from flocculation due to
lime and the fly ash reaction. Decrease in dry 16 ZAV: EXS: G=2.71
density is because of low specific gravity due to EXS: Expansive soil
ZAV: BFA: G=2.18
BFA: Badarpur fly ash
large cenospheres [18] and poor gradation of fly
14
Normalized water content, wn = w * Gm Gstd (II)
Where, Gm = specific gravity of the material,
13
Gstd = Standard specific gravity with respect
to which the values are normalized,
EXS:NFA
γd = density of the material and w = water 100:0 90:10
of the material. 12
80:20 60:40
40:60 20:80
Figure 6 (ab) shows the compaction curves for 0:100
expansive soil-fly ash mixes. From Fig. 6 (ab), it 11
is also seen that with the addition of small amount 20 25 30 35 40
of expansive soil to the fly ash, γdmax of the
Water content (%)
composite sample increases with a decrease in
OMC. The increase in γdmax can be mainly
attributed to the improvement in gradation of the (b). Expansive-Neyveli fly ash mixes
fly ash and increase in the specific gravity of soil-
fly ash composite sample. It may also be noted that Fig. 6 Compaction curves for expansive soil
the specific gravity of the two expansive soil and fly ash mixes
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B. A. Mir
Effect of fly ashes on swelling and compressibility the vertical effective yield stress and reduces the
characteristics compressibility characteristics.
In the present study, the swelling potential for 7.5
expansive samples treated with fly ash was
Swelling (%)
determined from the one dimensional consolidation 5 Curve-1
test [19]. Marked changes were observed in the
compression behavior for soil-fly ash mixes. 2.5
Figure 7 shows the variation of collapse-swell with
pressure for different curing periods. The reduction A
0
in swelling pressure [20-21] of expansive soil can
be attributed to the reduction of amount of suction -2.5 EXS:BFA EXS:NFA
consequent upon addition of fly ash. It is seen that 100:0 90:10
10% NFA is the optimum content to reduce 80:20 80:20
-5 60:40 60:40
swelling characteristics compared to 40% BFA.
40:20 40:60
Collapse (%)
-7.5 20:80 20:80
Consolidation occurs more rapidly in uniformly 0:100 0:100
graded/coarse grained soils than in silty-clay/clay -10 Imm. Test series
due higher void ratio and greater permeability. The EXS: Expansive soil
geotechnical engineer plays a vital role in BFA: Badarpur fly ash
-12.5 NFA: Neyveli fly ash
predicting the magnitude and rate of settlement of ps = Swelling pressure ps
foundations due to structural loads. The soil -15
samples were prepared by compacting at 0.95 γdmax 1 10 100 1000
and corresponding water content on dry side of
Pressure (kPa)
optimum (OMC and MDD by standard Proctor
test) and tested in a fixed ring consolidometer
using brass rings of 60mm diameter and 20mm Fig. 7. Variation of collapse-swell potential of
height [22]. The compressibility characteristics viz, expansive soil with addition of fly ashes
compression index, which gives the magnitude of
settlement and coefficient of consolidation, Cv 1.25
*: Untreated expansice soil tested for
which gives the rate of settlement are determined 1.2 immediately after sample preparation
by a standard consolidation test [23]. Figure 8 EXS-NFA
1.15 7 days series
shows the compressibility curves for cured samples 100:0*
for one week and 7 days. It can also be seen that 1.1 90:10
with increase in curing time, the compressibility
Void ratio (e)
80:20
1.05
decreases. This is due to the cementation bonds 60:40
which are formed between free lime and reactive 1 40:60
20:80
silica and thereby improving the compressibility 0.95 0:100
characteristics of the expansive soil. It is seen that BFA+CaO
cured samples resist the external load very 0.9 (8.5%)
effectively. The load – compression curves are 0.85 EXS: Expansive soil
much flatter. Fly ash alone gives much lesser NFA: Neyveli fly ash
0.8
compression. It is also observed that Unloading cuve
compressibility increases with increase in effective 0.75
consolidation pressure and as fly ash content 10 100 1000
increases, compression index decreases. Also, due Pressure (kPa)
to cation exchange reaction, an increase in the
flocculation and aggregation causes a chemically Fig. 8. e-logσ´ plot for soil-fly ashes mixes for
induced preconsolidation effect, which increases 7days curing period
8
Some Challenges associated with expansive soils and remedial measures
40
7D curing test series
lower earth pressure leading to savings.
EXS: Expansive soil
NFA: Neyveli fly ash 3. It has been observed that 10 % of Neyveli fly
ash is the optimum amount required to
30 minimize the swell potential compared to 40 %
of Badarpur fly ash.
EXS:BFA
100:0 4. The unconfined compressive strength of soils
20
90:10 can be increased by addition of reactive fly ash.
80:20 Fly ashes alter the strength of expansive soil
60:40
40:60
significantly by pozzolanic reactions that
20:80
increase the strength and by reduction in
10 0:100 cohesive strength of clayey soils by the silty
nature of fly ash particles.
5. The study brings out the bulk and effective
utilization of fly ash, on one hand affords a
0 means of disposing off the power plant by
0 1 2 3 4 5
product without adversely affecting the
Strain, εa (%) environment and on the other hand proves to be
an effective admixture for improving an
Fig 9. Stress-strain plot for 7D test series expansive soil.
9
B. A. Mir
10