1

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 General
In India, the modern era of soil stabilization began in early 1970’s, with a general
shortage of petroleum and aggregates, it became necessary for the engineers to look
at means to improve soil other than replacing the poor soil at the building site.
The term soil stabilization means the improvement of the stability or bearing capacity of
the soil by the use of controlled compaction, proportioning and or the addition of suitable
admixture or stabilizer.
Today, due to the fast growth of populations and development activities, it led to
discharge of huge wastes.
“Waste plastic is one such”, which is commonly used for shopping bags, storage for
various purposes due to its most advantages. Though, at many places waste plastics are
being collected for recycling or reuse, however; the secondary markets for reclaimed
plastics have not developed as recycling program. Therefore, the quantity of plastics that
is being currently reused or recycled is only a fraction of the total volume produced every
year. So it is very important that we find ways to re-utilize these plastic wastes.
Therefore, the investigation and attempt has been made to demonstrate the use of
reclaimed plastic wastes as soil reinforcement for improving the sub grade soils. The
study will describe series of tests carried out to initially understand the types of soil and
its properties. Then CBR and direct shear test was carried out with varying percentage of
plastic strips with different length and proportions mixed uniformly with the soil .The
results obtained from the tests will be presented and discussed.

1.2 Objectives
1. It improves the strength of the soil, thus, increasing the soil bearing capacity.
2. It is more economical both in terms of cost and energy to increase the bearing capacity
of the soil rather than going for deep foundation or raft foundation.
3. It is also used to provide more stability to the soil in slopes or other such places.
4. Sometimes soil stabilization is also used to prevent soil erosion or formation of dust,
which is very useful especially in dry and arid weather.
5. Stabilization is also done for soil water-proofing; this prevents water from entering
into the soil and hence helps the soil from losing its strength.
6. It helps in reducing the soil volume change due to change in temperature or moisture
content.
7. Stabilization improves the workability and the durability of the soil.
2

CHAPTER-2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1General
Waste plastic strips composites have been found effective in improving the strength of
soil. These studies indicated that strength of randomly distributed fiber reinforced soil are
a function of fiber content. Strength and load bearing capacity of soil was enhanced
considerably when the soil is stabilized mechanically with short thin plastic strips of
different length and content. The feasibility of reinforcing soil with strips of reclaimed
high density polyethylene has also been investigated to a limited extent. present project
has been taken up with special reference to its feasibility for application in
embankment/road construction.

2.2 Soil Stabilization

Soil stabilization is the process of altering some soil properties by different methods,
mechanical or chemical in order to produce an improved soil material which has all the
desired engineering properties.
Soils are generally stabilized to increase their strength and durability or to prevent
erosion and dust formation in soils. The main aim is the creation of a soil material or
system that will hold under the design use conditions and for the designed life of the
engineering project. The properties of soil vary a great deal at different places or in
certain cases even at one place; the success of soil stabilization depends on soil testing.
Various methods are employed to stabilize soil and the method should be verified in the
lab with the soil material before applying it on the field.
Principles of Soil Stabilization:
• Evaluating the soil properties of the area under consideration.
• Deciding the property of soil which needs to be altered to get the design value and
choose the effective and economical method for stabilization.
• Designing the Stabilized soil mix sample and testing it in the lab for intended stability
and durability values.
3

2.3 Needs & Advantages

Soil properties vary a great deal and construction of structures depends a lot on the bearing
capacity of the soil, hence, we need to stabilize the soil which makes it easier to predict the load
bearing capacity of the soil and even improve the load bearing capacity. The gradation of the soil
is also a very important property to keep in mind while working with soils. The soils may be
well-graded which is desirable as it has less number of voids or uniformly graded which though
sounds stable but has more voids. Thus, it is better to mix different types of soils together to
improve the soil strength properties. It is very expensive to replace the inferior soil entirely soil
and hence, soil stabilization is the thing to look for in these cases:
1. It improves the strength of the soil, thus, increasing the soil bearing capacity.
2. It is more economical both in terms of cost and energy to increase the bearing capacity of
the soil rather than going for deep foundation or raft foundation.
3. It is also used to provide more stability to the soil in slopes or other such places.
4. Sometimes soil stabilization is also used to prevent soil erosion or formation of dust, which
is very useful especially in dry and arid weather.
5. Stabilization is also done for soil water-proofing; this prevents water from entering into the
soil and hence helps the soil from losing its strength.
6. It helps in reducing the soil volume change due to change in temperature or moisture
content.
7. Stabilization improves the workability and the durability of the soil.

2.4 Methods of Stabilization

2.4.1 Mechanical method of Stabilization

In this procedure, soils of different gradations are mixed together to obtain the desired
property in the soil. This may be done at the site or at some other place from where it can
be transported easily. The final mixture is then compacted by the usual methods to get the
required density.

2.4.2 Additive method of stabilization

It refers to the addition of manufactured products into the soil, which in proper quantities
enhances the quality of the soil. Materials such as cement, lime, bitumen, fly ash etc. are
used as chemical additives. Sometimes different fibers are also used as reinforcements in
the soil. The addition of these fibers takes place by two methods;

a) Oriented fiber reinforcement-

The fibers are arranged in some order and all the fibers are placed in the same orientation.
The fibers are laid layer by layer in this type of orientation. Continuous fibers in the form of
sheets, strips or bars etc. are used systematically in this type of arrangement.

b) Random fiber reinforcement-

This arrangement has discrete fibers distributed randomly in the soil mass. The mixing is
done until the soil and the reinforcement form a more or less homogeneous mixture.
Materials used in this type of reinforcements are
4

generally derived from paper, nylon, metals or other materials having varied physical
properties.
Randomly distributed fibers have some advantages over the systematically distributed
fibers. Somehow this way of reinforcement is similar to addition of admixtures such as
cement, lime etc. Besides being easy to add and mix, this method also offers strength
isotropy, decreases chance of potential weak planes which occur in the other case and
provides ductility to the soil.

2.5 Soil Properties

2.5.1 Atterberg Limits

2.5.1.1 Shrinkage Limit:
This limit is achieved when further loss of water from the soil does not reduce the volume of the
soil. It can be more accurately defined as the lowest water content at which the soil can still be
completely saturated. It is denoted by wS.

2.5.1.2 Plastic Limit:

This limit lies between the plastic and semi-solid state of the soil. It is determined by rolling out
a thread of the soil on a flat surface which is non-porous. It is the minimum water content at
which the soil just begins to crumble while rolling into a thread of approximately 3mm diameter.
Plastic limit is denoted by wP.

2.5.1.3 Liquid Limit:

It is the water content of the soil between the liquid state and plastic state of the soil. It can be
defined as the minimum water content at which the soil, though in liquid state, shows small
shearing strength against flowing. It is measured by the Casagrande’s apparatus and is denoted
by wL.
5

2.5.1.4 Particle Size Distribution

Soil at any place is composed of particles of a variety of sizes and shapes, sizes ranging from a
few microns to a few centimeters are present sometimes in the same soil sample. The distribution
of particles of different sizes determines many physical properties of the soil such as its strength,
permeability, density etc.
Particle size distribution is found out by two methods, first is sieve analysis which is done for
coarse grained soils only and the other method is sedimentation analysis used for fine grained
soil sample. Both are followed by plotting the results on a semi-log graph. The percentage finer
N as the ordinate and the particle diameter i.e. sieve size as the abscissa on a logarithmic scale.
The curve generated from the result gives us an idea of the type and gradation of the soil. If the
curve is higher up or is more towards the left, it means that the soil has more representation from
the finer particles; if it is towards the right, we can deduce that the soil has more of the coarse
grained particles.
The soil may be of two types- well graded or poorly graded (uniformly graded). Well graded
soils have particles from all the size ranges in a good amount. On the other hand, it is said to be
poorly or uniformly graded if it has particles of some sizes in excess and deficiency of particles
of other sizes. Sometimes the curve has a flat portion also which means there is an absence of
particles of intermediate size, these soils are also known as gap graded or skip graded.
For analysis of the particle distribution, we sometimes use D10, D30, and D60 etc. terms which
represents a size in mm such that 10%, 30% and 60% of particles respectively are finer than that
size. The size of D10 also called the effective size or diameter is a very useful data. There is a
term called uniformity coefficient Cu which comes from the ratio of D60 and D10, it gives a
measure of the range of the particle size of the soil sample.
6

2.6 Specific Gravity

Specific gravity of a substance denotes the number of times that substance is heavier than water.
In simpler words we can define it as the ratio between the mass of any substance of a definite
volume divided by mass of equal volume of water. In case of soils, specific gravity is the number
of times the soil solids are heavier than equal volume of water. Different types of soil have
different specific gravities, general range for specific gravity of soils:

Table-1 (different specific gravity of soils)

Sand 2.63-2.67
Silt 2.65-2.7
Clay and Silty clay 2.67-2.9
Organic soil <2.0
7

CHAPTER-3

SCOPE OF WORK
3.1 The experimental work consists of the following steps:
1. Specific gravity of soil
2. Determination of soil index properties (Atterberg Limits)
i) Liquid limit by Casagrande’s apparatus
ii) Plastic limit
3. Particle size distribution by sieve analysis
4. Determination of the maximum dry density (MDD) and the corresponding optimum
moisture content (OMC) of the soil by Proctor compaction test
5. Preparation of reinforced soil samples.
6. Determination of strength by CBR test.
7. Determination of shear strength by Direct Shear test.
8. Comparision of results.
8

CHAPTER-4

EXPERIMENTAL WORKS

4.1 Soil Used

Soil collected from the campus of G. P. Pant Engineering College was used in this project. These were
cut into some lengths. It is important to ensure that diameter remains at least 4 times the
maximum strip length, which will ensure that there is sufficient room for the strips to deform
freely. The waste plastic strips to be added to the soil were considered a part of the solid
fraction in the void solid matrix of the soil.

4.2 Index Properties

The test required for determination of engineering properties are generally elaborate and time
consuming. The wide range of soil types available as highway construction materials have made
it obligatory on the part of the highway engineer to identify and classify the different soils

4.3 Sieve Analysis

Particle size distribution is found out by two methods, first is sieve analysis which is done for
coarse grained soils only and the other method is sedimentation analysis used for fine grained
soil sample. Both are followed by plotting the results on a semi-log graph. The percentage finer
N as the ordinate and the particle diameter i.e. sieve size as the abscissa on a logarithmic scale.
The curve generated from the result gives us an idea of the type and gradation of the soil. If the
curve is higher up or is more towards the left, it means that the soil has more representation from
the finer particles; if it is towards the right, we can deduce that the soil has more of the coarse
grained particles.
The results from sieve analysis of the soil when plotted on a semi-log graph with particle
diameter or the sieve size as the abscissa with logarithmic axis and the percentage passing
as the ordinate gives a clear idea about the particle size distribution. From the help of this
curve, D10 and D60 are determined. This D10 is the diameter of the soil below which 10% of
the soil particles lie. The ratio of, D10 and D60 gives the uniformity coefficient (Cu) which in
turn is a measure of the particle size range.
9

Table-2 Observations Of Sieve Analysis Test

I.S sieve Wt. Retained Percentage on Cumulative % finer
number or size each sieve %age retained
in each sieve
in mm on each sieve
(gm)
12.5 192 5.67 5.67 94.33
10 78 2.1 7.77 92.23
4.75 473 12.8 20.57 79.43
2.36 292 7.23 27.8 72.2
1.40 323 8.80 36.6 63.4
.900 116 3.05 39.65 60.35
.600 128 3.72 43.37 36.63
.425 235 5.53 48.9 51.1
.300 136 4.1 53.0 47
.212 590 18.06 71.06 28.94
.150 223 6.96 78.04 21.96
.075 567 17.03 95.07 4.93
Finer 147 4.93 100 0
10

100
90
80
70
60

Percent finer
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.01 0.1 … 1 10
PARTICAL SIZE (mm)

Figure-1 Particle Size Distribution Curve

Use the grain size distribution and the following equations to compute the coefficient of
uniformity, Cu , and the coefficient of curvature, Cc.

Cu = D60 / D10

Cc = ( D30)2 / (D60 X D10)

From the particle size distribution curve we can see that 95 % soil sample retained on I.S. 75
micron sieve and more than 70 % passed from 2.36 mm I.S. sieve. It is clay soil.
11

4.4 Liquid Limit Test

This test is done to determine the liquid limit of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1985. The liquid
limit of fine-grained soil is the water content at which soil behaves practically like a liquid, but
has small shear
strength. It’s flow closes the groove in just 25 blows in Casagrande’s liquid limit device. The
apparatus used :-
i) Casagrande’s liquid limit device
ii) Grooving tools of both standard and ASTM types
iii) Oven
iv) Evaporating dish
v) Spatula
vi) IS Sieve of size 425µm
vii) Weighing balance, with 0.01g accuracy
viii) Wash bottle
ix) Air-tight and non-corrodible container for determination of moisture content

4.4.1 Preparation of Sample

i) Air-dry the soil sample is used.
ii) About 100g of the specimen passing through 425µm IS Sieve is mixed thoroughly with
distilled water in the evaporating dish and left for 24hrs. for soaking.

4.4.2 Procedure to Determine The Liquid Limit Of Soil

i) portion of the paste is placed in the cup of the liquid limit device.

ii) soil paste is leveled so as to have a maximum depth of 1cm.

iii) Draw the grooving tool through the sample along the symmetrical axis of the cup, holding the
tool perpendicular to the cup.

iv) For normal fine grained soil: The Casagrande’s tool is used to cut a groove 2mm wide at the
bottom, 11mm wide at the top and 8mm deep.

v) After the soil pat has been cut by a proper grooving tool, the handle is rotated at the rate of
about 2 revolutions per second and the no. of blows counted, till the two parts of the soil sample
come into contact for about 10mm length.

vi) about 10g of soil is taken near the closed groove for determination of its water content

vii) The soil of the cup is transferred to the dish containing the soil paste and mixed thoroughly
after adding a little more water. Then test is repeated.

viii) By altering the water content of the soil and repeating the foregoing operations, obtain at
least 4 readings in the range of 15 to 35 blows. Don’t mix dry soil to change its consistency.
12

ix) Liquid limit is determined by plotting a ‘flow curve’ on a semi-log graph, with no. of blows
as abscissa (log scale) and the water content as ordinate and drawing the best straight line
through the plotted points.

FIGURE-2 Casagrande’s Apparatus

13

4.4.3 REPORTING OF RESULTS

Table-3 Observations of Liquid Limit Test

Determination Number 1 2 3 4
Container number 1 2 3 4
Weight of container 15 15 15 15
Weight of container + wet soil 65 65 65 65
Weight of container + dry soil 52.3 50.78 48.375 46.175
Weight of water 12.7 14.22 16.625 18.825
Weight of dry soil 37.3 35.78 33.375 31.175
Moisture content (%) 24.43 28.44 33.25 37.65
No. of blows 52 38 31 21

A sample ‘flow curve’ is given as

50

45
Moister content (%)

40

35

30

25

20
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
No. of blows
Figure-3 Flow Curve

Report the water content corresponding to 25 blows, read from the ‘flow curve’ as the liquid
limit

Liquid limit = 36.23

14

4.5 Plastic Limit Test

This test is done to determine the plastic limit of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part 5) – 1985.The plastic
limit of fine-grained soil is the water content of the soil below which it ceases to be plastic. It
begins to crumble when rolled into threads of 3mm dia. The apparatus used:
i)Porcelain evaporating dish about 120mm dia.
ii) Spatula
iii) Container to determine moisture content
iv) Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g
v) Oven
vi) Ground glass plate – 20cm x 15cm
vii) Rod – 3mm dia. And about 10cm long

4.5.1 Preparation Of Sample

Take out 30g of air-dried soil from a thoroughly mixed sample of the soil passing through
425µm IS Sieve. Mix the soil with distilled water in an evaporating dish and leave the soil mass
for naturing. This period may be upto 24hrs.

4.5.2 Procedure To Determine The Plastic Limit Of Soil

i) Take about 8g of the soil and roll it with fingers on a glass plate. The rate of rolling should be
between 80 to 90 strokes per minute to form a 3mm dia.

ii) If the dia. Of the threads can be reduced to less than 3mm, without any cracks appearing, it
means that the water content is more than its plastic limit. Knead the soil to reduce the water
content and roll it into a thread again.

iii) Repeat the process of alternate rolling and kneading until the thread crumbles.

iv) Collect and keep the pieces of crumbled soil thread in the container used to determine the
moisture content.

v) Repeat the process at least twice more with fresh samples of plastic soil each time.
15

4.5.3 REPORTING OF RESULTS

The plastic limit should be determined for at least three portions of the soil passing through
425µm

Table-4 Observations Of Plastic Limit Test

Container No. 1 2 3

Wt. of container + lid,W1 15 15 15

Wt. of container + lid + wet sample,W2 40 41 43

Wt. of container + lid + dry sample,W3 35 35 37

Wt. of dry sample = W3 – W 1 20 21 22

Wt. of water in the soil = W2 – W3 5 6 6

Water content (%) = ((W2 – W3 )/ (W3- W1))X100 25 28.75 27.27

IS Sieve. The average water content to the nearest whole number should be reported.

Average Plastic Limit=27.27

16

4.6 Shrinkage Limitl Test

4.6.1 Need and Scope

As the soil loses moisture, either in its natural environment, or by artificial means in
laboratory it changes from liquid state to plastic state to semi-solid state and then to solid state.
The volume is also reduced by the decrease in water content. But, at a particular limit the
moisture reduction causes no further volume change. A shrinkage limit test gives a quantitative
indication of how much moisture can change before any significant volume change and to also
indication of change in volume. The shrinkage limit is useful in areas where soils undergo large
volume changes when going through wet and dry cycles (e.g. earth dams)

4.6.2 Apparatus
1.) Evaporating Dish of Porcelain, 2.) Spatula and Straight Edge, 3.) Balance-Sensitive to 0.01 g
minimum.
4.) Shrinkage Dish. Circular, porcelain or non-corroding metal dish, 5.) Glass cup. 50-55 mm in
diameter and 25 mm in height,
6.) Glass plates. Two, 75x75 mm one plate of plain glass and the other prongs, 7.)
Thermostatically controlled Oven,
8.) Wash bottle containing distilled water, 9.) Graduate-Glass, with capacity of 25 ml. 10.)
Mercury.

4.6.3 Procedure
Preparation of soil paste
1. Take about 100 gm of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing
through 425-mm I.S. sieve. Place about 30 gm the above soil sample in the evaporating dish
and thoroughly mixed with distilled water and make a creamy paste. (Use water content
slightly higher than the liquid limit.)
2. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent the soil sticking
to the dish.
3. Fill the dish in three layers by placing approximately 1/3 rd of the amount of wet soil with
the help of spatula. Tap the dish gently on a firm base until the soil flows over the edges and
no apparent air bubbles exist. Repeat this process for 2nd and 3rd layers also till the dish is
completely filled with the wet soil. Strike off the excess soil and make the top of the dish
smooth. Wipe off all the soil adhering to the outside of the dish.
4. Weigh immediately, the dish with wet soil and record the weight.
5. Air- dry the wet soil cake for 6 to 8 hrs, until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light.
Then oven-dry the cake at 1050C to 1100C say about 12 to 16 hrs.
6. Remove the dried disk of the soil from oven. Cool it in a desiccator. Then obtain the weight
of the dish with dry sample.
7. Determine the weight of the empty dish and record.
8. Determine the volume of shrinkage dish which is evidently equal to volume of the wet soil as
follows. Place the shrinkage dish in an evaporating dish and fill the dish with mercury till it
overflows slightly. Press it with plain glass plate firmly on its top to remove excess mercury.
Pour the mercury from the shrinkage dish into a measuring jar and find the shrinkage dish
volume directly. Record this volume as the volume of wet soil pat.
8. Determine the volume of dry soil pat by removing the pat from the shrinkage dish and
immersing it in the glass cup full of mercury in the following manner.
17

9. Place the glass cup in a larger one and fill the glass cup to overflowing with mercury.
Remove the excess mercury by covering the cup with glass plate with prongs and
pressing it. See that no air bubbles are entrapped. Wipe out the outside of the glass cup to
remove the adhering mercury. Then, place it in another larger dish, which is, clean and
empty carefully.
10. Place the dry soil pat on the mercury. It floats submerge it with the pronged glass plate
which is again made flush with top of the cup. The mercury spills over into the larger
plate. Pour the mercury that is displayed by the soil pat into the measuring jar and find
the volume of the soil pat directly.

Table-5 Observations Of Shrinkage Limit Test

S.No Determination No. 1 2
1 Wt. of container in gm,W1 38 38
2 Wt. of container + wet soil pat in gm,W2 145 141

3 Wt. of container + dry soil pat in gm,W3 115 116

4 Wt. of oven dry soil pat, W0 in gm 77 74

5 Wt. of water in gm 30 29

6 Moisture content (%), W 38.96 39.18

7 Volume of wet soil pat (V), in cm 5.3 5.3

8 Volume of dry soil pat (V0) in cm3 3.9 3.9

By mercury displacement method

a. Weight of displaced mercury 14 14

b. Specific gravity of the mercury 1.13 1.13

18

Calculation of Shrinkage Limit Test

The moisture content- 39.18
Shrinkage Limit (WS) = ((W – (V – Vo) X γw)/ Wo) X 100 = 20.8%
Shrinkage ratio Sr = Md/Vd = 77/38 or 74/38 = 2.02 or 1.94
Volumetric Shrinkage- ( W-Ws) Sr = (39.18-20.8)2.02 = 37.12%
Where, W =Moisture content of wet soil pat
V =Volume of wet soil pat in cm3.
Vo =Volume of dry soil pat in cm3.
W0 = Weight of oven dry soil pat in gm.
19

4.7 Specific Gravity

4.7.1 Objective
Determine the specific gravity of soil fraction passing 4.75 mm I.S sieve by density bottle.

4.7.2 Need and Scope

The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil properties like void ratio,
degree of saturation etc.

4.7.3 Definition
Specific gravity G is defined as the ratio of the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at
that temperature both weights taken in air.
4.7.4 Apparatus Required
1. Density bottle of 50 ml with stopper having capillary hole.
2. Balance to weigh the materials (accuracy 10gm).
3. Wash bottle with distilled water.
4. Alcohol and ether.

4.7.5 Procedure
1. Clean and dry the density bottle
a. Wash the bottle with water and allow it to drain.
b. Wash it with alcohol and drain it to remove water.
c. Wash it with ether, to remove alcohol and drain ether.
2. Weigh the empty bottle with stopper (W1)
3. Take oven dried soil sample (which is cooled in a desiccator) about 25gm when the 250ml
volumetric flask is used, about 10gm when 50cc stoppered bottle is used or 100gm when
500ml pyconometer is used.
4. Transfer the soil sample to the bottle. Find the weight of the bottle and soil (W2).
4. Put 10ml of distilled water in the bottle to allow the soil to soak completely. Leave it for
about 2 hours.
5. Again fill the bottle completely with distilled water put the stopper and keep the bottle under
constant temperature water baths (Tx0 ).
6. Take the bottle outside and wipe it clean and dry note. Now determine the weight of the bottle
and the contents (W3).
20

7. Now empty the bottle and thoroughly clean it. Fill the bottle with only distilled water and
weigh it. Let it be W4 at temperature (Tx0 C).
8. Repeat the same process for 2 to 3 times, and determine specific gravity of the soil. Report the
average Specific Gravity.

Note: The specific gravity of the soil particles lie within the range of 2.65 to 2.85. Soils
containing organic matter and porous particles may have specific gravity values below 2.0. Soils
having heavy substances may have values above 3.0.

TABLE-6 Observations Of Specific Gravity Test

S. No. Observation Number 1 2 3
1 Weight of density bottle (W1 g) 633 635 635

2 Weight of density bottle + dry soil 900 910 890

(W2 g)
3 Weight of bottle + dry soil + water 1624 1647 1604
at temperature (W3 g)
4 Weight of bottle + water (W4 g) at 1464 1488 1470
temperature Tx0 C
5 Specific gravity G at Tx0 C 2.52 2.24 2.107
6 Average specific gravity at Tx0 C 2.28
21

CHAPTER-5

WASTE PLASTIC USED

The waste plastic were collected from nearby disposal sites and made into strips of 10 x 30mm.
The waste plastic strips to be added to the soil were considered a part of the solid fraction in the
void solid matrix of the soil. The content of the strip is defined herein as the ratio of weight of
strips to the weight of dry soil. The tests were conducted at various strip contents of 0.0%,
0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% .

Waste Plastic

Waste Plastic Fibre

FIGURE-4 (Fibre Used)
22

CHAPTER 6

EXPERIMENTAL WORKS ON UNREINFORCED AND

REINFORCED SAMPLES
The experimental study involved performing a series of laboratory tests on unreinforced and
randomly distributed plastic strip reinforced soil sample. Random fiber reinforcement-
This arrangement has discrete fibers distributed randomly in the soil mass. The mixing is done
until the soil and the reinforcement form a more or less homogeneous mixture. Materials used in
this type of reinforcements are generally derived from paper, nylon, metals or other materials
having varied physical properties.
Randomly distributed fibers have some advantages over the systematically distributed fibers.
Somehow this way of reinforcement is similar to addition of admixtures such as cement, lime
etc. Besides being easy to add and mix, this method also offers strength isotropy, decreases
chance of potential weak planes which occur in the other case and provides ductility to the soil.

6.1 Standard Proctor Test

It is done to determine the moisture content for which the bulk and dry density will be maximum
for any soil. A cylindrical metal mould of volume 1000 cc used in the test. Air dried soil about
3kg mass taken for test and water content varies with different determination.

Figure-5 Equipments Of Standard Proctor Test

23

6.1.1 Observations

Table-7 Observations Of Standard Proctor Test

Determination 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
number
Water content % 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Mass of mould in 3714 3714 3714 3714 3714 3714 3714
gm
Mass of mould + 5576 5627 5660 5682 5763 5643 5632
compacted soil in
gm
Mass of 1862 1913 1964 1968 2049 1929 1918
compacted soil
Bulk density 1.862 1.913 1.964 1.968 2.049 1.929 1.918
3
gm/cm
Dry density 1.692 1.708 1.722 1.729 1.736 1.607 1.572
3
gm/cm

From the figure, it is evident that,

Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) = 18%
Maximum Dry Density (MDD) = 1.73 g/cc

1.72

1.7

1.68
Dry density

1.66

1.64

1.62

1.6
0 5 10 15 20 25
Water content

Figure-6 Water Content Density Relationship

24

6.2 California Bearing Ratio Test

6.2.1 Objective
To determine the California bearing ratio by conducting a load penetration test in the laboratory.

6.2.2 Need and scope

The CBR test is penetration test meant for the avaluation of subgrade strength of road’s pavement.
The results obtained by this test are used with the empirical curves to determine the thickness of
pavement and its components layer. This is the most widely used method for the design of flexible
pavement.

6.2.3 Equipments and tools required

1. Cylindrical mould with inside dia 150 mm and height 175 mm, provided with a detachable
extension collar 50 mm height and a detachable perforated base plate 10 mm thick.
2. Spacer disc 148 mm in dia and 47.7 mm in height along with handle.
3. Metal rammers. Weight 2.6 kg with a drop of 310 mm (or) weight 4.89 kg a drop 450 mm.
4. Weights. One annular metal weight and several slotted weights weighing 2.5 kg each, 147 mm in
dia, with a central hole 53 mm in diameter.
5. Loading machine. With a capacity of at least 5000 kg and equipped with a movable head or base
that travels at an uniform rate of 1.25 mm/min. Complete with load indicating device.
6. Metal penetration piston 50 mm dia and minimum of 100 mm in length.
7. Two dial gauges reading to 0.01 mm.
8. Sieves. 4.75 mm and 20 mm I.S. Sieves.
9. Miscellaneous apparatus, such as a mixing bowl, straight edge, scales soaking tank or pan, drying
oven, filter paper and containers.

6.2.4 Definition Of C.B.R.

It is the ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with standard circular piston at
the rate of 1.25 mm/min. to that required for the corresponding penetration of a standard material.

C.B.R. = (Test load/Standard load) x 100

25

The following table gives the standard loads adopted for different penetrations for the standard
material with a C.B.R. value of 100%

Table-8 Standard Loads (CBR test)

Penetration of plunger (mm) Standard load (kg)
2.5 1370
5.0 2055
7.5 2630
10.0 3180
12.5 3600

The test may be performed on undisturbed specimens and on remoulded specimens which may be
compacted either statically or dynamically.

6.2.5 Remoulded specimen

Specimen is Prepared at Proctor’s maximum dry density at which C.B.R is required. The specimen
is maintained at optimum moisture content as required. The soil used should pass 20 mm I.S. sieve
but it should be retained on 4.75 mm I.S. sieve. Specimen is prepared by dynamic compaction in our
project.

6.2.6 Dynamic Compaction

1. About 5kg of soil is taken and thoroughly mixed with the required water.
2. Extension collar and base plate is fixed to the mould.
3. Soil is compacted in the mould using either light compaction. For light compaction, the soil is
compacted in 3 equal layers, each layer being given 55 blows by the 2.6 kg rammer.
4. Collar is removed and soil is trimmed.

6.2.7 Procedure for Penetration Test

Mould assembly is placed with the surcharge weights on the penetration test machine.
Penetration piston was seated at the center of the specimen with the smallest possible load, but in no
case in excess of 4 kg so that full contact of the piston on the sample was established. Stress and
strain dial gauge was set to zero. Load was applied on the piston at the penetration rate of about 1.25
mm/min.
26

load readings are recorded at penetrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5
mm. maximum load and corresponding penetration is noted if it occurs for a penetration less than
12.5 mm.

6.2.8 Observation and Recording

For penetration Test

Calibration factor of the proving ring 1 Div. = 1.176 kg

Least count of penetration dial 1 Div. = 0.01 mm

Table-9 Observations of CBR Ttest

PROVING RING TEST CBR VALUE
PENETRATION READINGS LOAD STANDARD
(1.25mm/min) 0% 0.25% 0.5% 1% 0% 0.5% LOAD 0% 0.5%

0 - - - - - - - - -
0.5 - - - - - - - - -
1.0 0.01 0.023 0.036 0.027 20 72 - - -
1.5 0.022 0.032 0.043 0.035 44 86 - - -
2.0 0.038 0.049 0.064 0.057 76 128 - - -
2.5 0.053 0.065 0.079 0.073 106 158 1370 7.737 11.53
3.0 0.074 0.085 0.097 0.086 148 194 - - -
4.0 0.094 0.106 0.121 0.112 188 242 - - -
5.0 0.112 0.123 0.139 0.127 224 278 2055 10.90 13.53
7.5 0.131 0.144 0.158 0.148 262 318 2630 9.96 12.09
10.0 0.145 0.156 0.169 0.160 290 338 3180 9.119 10.62
12.5 0.162 0.173 0.187 0.179 324 374 3600 9 10.38
27

6.3 DIRECT SHEAR TEST

6.3.1 Need
In many engineering problems such as design of foundation, retaining walls, slab bridges, pipes,
sheet piling, the value of the angle of internal friction and cohesion of the soil involved are required
for the design. Direct shear test is used to predict these parameters quickly. The laboratory report
cover the laboratory procedures for determining these values for cohesionless soils.
6.3.2 Apparatus
1. Direct shear box apparatus
2. Loading frame (motor attached).
3. Dial gauge.
4. Proving ring.
5. Tamper.
6. Straight edge.
7. Balance to weigh up to 200 mg.
8. Aluminum container.
9. Spatula.

6.3.3 Procedure
1. Check the inner dimension of the soil container.
2. Put the parts of the soil container together.
3. Calculate the volume of the container. Weigh the container.
4. Place the soil in smooth layers (approximately 10 mm thick). If a dense sample is desired tamp the
soil.
5. Weigh the soil container, the difference of these two is the weight of the soil. Calculate the density
of the soil.
6. Make the surface of the soil plane.
7. Put the upper grating on stone and loading block on top of soil.
8. Measure the thickness of soil specimen.
9. Apply the desired normal load.
10.Remove the shear pin.
11. Attach the dial gauge which measures the change of volume.
12. Record the initial reading of the dial gauge and calibration values.
13. Before proceeding to test check all adjustments to see that there is no connection between two
parts except sand/soil.
14. Start the motor. Take the reading of the shear force and record the reading.
15.Take volume change readings till failure.
16. Add 5 kg normal stress 0.5 kg/cm2 and continue the experiment till failure
17. Record carefully all the readings. Set the dial gauges zero, before starting the experiment
28

6.3.4 Observation And Recording

Volume of shear Box 90 cm3

Maximum dry density of soil 1.736 gm/cc
Optimum moisture content of soil 18 %
Weight of the soil to be filled in the shear box 1.91x90 = 171.9 gm

Unreinforced soil

Table-10 Observations Of Direct Shear Test For Unreinforced Soil

Sample Normal Proving ring Shear Load Shear Load Shear Stress
No. Stress(kg/cm2) reading (N) (kg) (kg/cm2)

1 0.5 54 206.58 21.06 0.59

2 1 84 321.35 32.76 0.91
3 1.5 106 405.51 41.34 1.14
4 2 168 451.42 46.02 1.27

1.6

1.4

1.2
Shear Stress kg/cm2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Normal Stress

Figure-7 Shear Stress And Normal Stress Relationship (Unreinforced)

Computing from graph,

Cohesion (C) = 0.325 kg/cm2 ; Angle of internal friction (φ) = 47.72
29

Reinforcement = 0.5%

Table-11 Observations Of Direct Shear Test For Reinforced Soil

Sample Normal load Proving Shear Shear load Shear stress (kg/cm2)
no. (ς) constant load (N) (kg)
1 0.5 79 300.79 30.69 0.86
2 1.0 122 468.64 47.82 1.34
3 1.5 166 636.61 64.96 1.82
4 2.0 209 800.95 81.73 2.29

2.5
Shear Stress kg/cm2

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Normal Stress

Figure-8 Shear Stress And Normal Stress Relationship (Reinforced)

Computing from graph,

Cohesion (C) = 0.3887 kg/cm2
Angle of internal friction (φ) = 48.483
30

CHAPTER-7

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

7.1 CBR Test

After completion of test, Many of the strips showed elongation, thinning and clear impression of soil
particles. Apparently, as the soil sheared during penetration, strip fixed in the soil by friction,
elongated and together provided strength against the deformation. Deformation of the soil specimen
being predominantly shear in nature, the CBR value can be regarded as an indirect measure of
strength. The load-penetration curves for following CBR test were performed on strips content of
0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1%.

The result is as shown in figure below. It can be observed from these figures that mixing of
uniformly distributed plastic strips in soil increased the piston load at a given penetration
considerably. It is also evident from these figures that inclusion of waste plastic increased the CBR
value appreciably. The CBR value of the unreinforced soil corresponding to 2.5mm and 5.0mm
penetration were found to be 7.737 and 10.90 respectively, which were increased to 11.53 and 13.53
respectively when soil was reinforced with 0.5% waste plastic strips. This reveals that at 0.5% strip
content give us the maximum bearing strength., similar tests have been performed with varying
percentage of strip content, the results of which can be observed from figure .The CBR value kept
increasing till 0.5% strip content and at 1% strip content decrease in CBR is noticed.

400

350

300

250
load (kg)

0% fibre content
200
0.25% fibre content
150
0.50% fibre content
100 1% fibre content
50

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

penetration (mm)

Figure-9 . Load penetration with varying strip content

31

7.2 Direct Shear Test

1.Cohesion value increases from 0.325 kg/cm2 to 0.3887 kg/cm2, a net 19.6%
2.The increment graph shows a gradual decline in slope.
3.The angle of internal friction increases from 47.72 to 48.483 degrees, a net 1.59%
4.The increment in shear strength of soil due to reinforcement is marginal.
32

CHAPTER-8

CONCLUSION
1. The addition of reclaimed plastic waste material to local soil increases the CBR.
2. The maximum improvement in CBR is obtained while using 0.5% plastics strips
The maximum CBR value of a reinforced system is approximately 1.49 times that of an unreinforced
soil.
3. Based on direct shear test on soil sample, with fiber reinforcement 0.5%, the increase in cohesion
was found to be 3.73% respectively. The increase in the internal angle of friction (φ) was found to
be 0. 47% respectively. Since the net increase in the values of c and φ were observed to be 1.59%,
from 47.72 to 48.483 degrees respectively.
4. We can therefore conclude that base course thickness can be significantly reduced if waste plastic
strip is used as soil stabilizing agent for sub-grade material.
5. It can be concluded that fiber reinforced soil can be considered to be good ground improvement
technique specially in engineering projects on weak soils where it can act as a substitute to
deep/raft foundations, reducing the cost as well as energy.
 33

CHAPTER-9

REFERENCES
1) Dr. Mahipal singh chauhan, Satyendra Mittal, Bijayananda Mohanti , (Performance evaluation of
silty sand subgrade reinforcement with fly ash and fibre) available at
<www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02661144/26/5>
2) Rao, G.V. and Dutta, R.K. (2004) “Ground improvement with plastic waste “Proceeding, 5th
International Conference on Ground Improvement Technique, Kaulalumpur, Malaysia, 321-328.
Rama Subbarao G.Vand Siddartha D, Murali T, Sowmya T, Sailaja K.S,Industrail wastes in soil
improvement.
3) A.K. Choudhary1 J.N. Jha2 and K.S. Gill3, A study on CBR behavior of waste plastic strip
reinforced soil.
4) Yetimoglu, T., Inanir, M., Inanir, O.E., 2005. A study on bearing capacity of randomly distributed
fiber-reinforced sand fills overlying soft clay. Geotextiles and Geomembranes 23 (2), 174–183.
5) IS 2720 – part (xiii) 1980-87
6) The need for soil stabilization, April 9, 2011 by Ana [online] Available at: <
http://www.contracostalandscaping.com/the-need-for-soil-stabilization/>
7) Prof. Krishna Reddy, UIC, 2008, Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing.
8) IS: 2720(Part 2), 1973 Methods of Test for Soils, Determination of water content.
9) IS 2720(III/SEC-I): 1980 Methods of Test for Soils, Determination of specific gravity.
10) IS 2720(IV):1985 Methods of Test for Soils, determination of grain size analysis.
11) Ground Improvement Techniques, December 18, 2008 [online] Available at: <
http://www.engineeringcivil.com >