Impact of Micro Silica Fume on Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil

Author(s):

Shivangi Bharadwaj , Madhav Institute of Technology and Science; Dr. M. K. Trivedi, Madhav Institute of Technology and Science

Keywords:

Black Cotton Soil, Free Swell Index, Index Properties, Micro-Silica Fume, Standard Proctor Test

Abstract:

Black cotton soil deposits in India are a boon to farmers but are problematic to civil engineers. Civil engineering structures experience large scale damage due to heaving accompanied by loss of strength of these soils during rainy seasons and shrinkage during summer. Buildings crack, canal linings slide, beds of canals heave, roads get rutted and retaining structures etc. Stabilization of such soils has been traditionally relied on treatment with lime, cement and waste materials such as fly ash. Micro silica is waste material obtained from electric arc furnaces. This paper presents an experimental investigation, carried out to study the effects of Micro Silica Fume on index properties of black cotton soil. A series of laboratory experiments have been conducted on samples with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of Silica Fume by weight of dry soil. The test results showed a significant change in consistency limits of samples containing Silica fume. The Liquid limit would increase by 50% to 67% and Plasticity Index would increase from 24% to 31%. The shrinkage limit would increase from 10.44% to 13.01% and specific gravity would decreased by 2.69% to 2.59%. Also the Differential Free Swell decreased from 48.46% to 9% showing appreciable decrease in swelling behaviour. The investigation showed that the Silica fume is a valuable material to modify the index properties of black cotton soil to make it suitable for different construction activities.

Other Details:

Manuscript Id	:	IJSTEV2I12199
Published in	:	Volume : 2, Issue : 12
Publication Date	:	01/07/2016
Page(s)	:	435-440

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