Geomechanics and Geoengineering

An International Journal

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Use of shredded tyre waste in improving the

geotechnical properties of expansive black cotton
soil

Amit Srivastava, Shikha Pandey & Jeeshant Rana

To cite this article: Amit Srivastava, Shikha Pandey & Jeeshant Rana (2014) Use of shredded tyre
waste in improving the geotechnical properties of expansive black cotton soil, Geomechanics and
Geoengineering, 9:4, 303-311, DOI: 10.1080/17486025.2014.902121

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2014.902121

Published online: 30 Apr 2014.

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Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal, 2014
Vol. 9, No. 4, 303–311, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2014.902121

Use of shredded tyre waste in improving the geotechnical properties of expansive

black cotton soil
Amit Srivastava*, Shikha Pandey and Jeeshant Rana
Department of Civil Engineering, Jaypee University of Engineering & Technology, Guna, MP, India

(Received 16 June 2013; accepted 4 March 2014)

In recent years, geotechnical engineers are using tyre waste to alter the properties of soil for providing sustainable solutions to complex engineering
problems. It is noted that black cotton soil, which is expansive in nature, covers a major portion of the Indian sub-continent, such as the Deccan
plateau, Malwa plateau and a portion of Gujarat and poses challenging problems to infrastructural development in the region. In the present study,
authors have characterised the geotechnical properties of black cotton soil, which is partially replaced with 4.75 mm passing – 2 mm retained (coarse
fraction) and 2.0 mm passing - 75 micron retained (fine fraction) shredded tyre waste. The results of the experimental studies clearly show that partial
replacement of black cotton soil with shredded tyre waste alters the geotechnical properties favourable to engineering applications and greatly
reduces the swelling potential of the black cotton soil. It is noted that instead of fine fraction (2.0–0.075 mm), replacement with coarse fraction
(4.75–2.00 mm) of shredded tyre waste can better be used for light weight fill behind the retaining walls as well as for embankment construction as it
helps in reducing swelling pressure as well as improving the strength properties.

Keywords: tyre waste; expansive soil; swelling; shrinkage; strength; consolidation

1. Introduction
The black cotton soils cover about 20% of land area in India
and are predominantly located in the Deccan Lava Plateau, the
Malwa Plateau and the interior of Gujarat. Black cotton soils
are inorganic clays of medium to high compressibility and are
characterised by high shrinkage and swelling properties. It
should be noted that 40–60% of the Black cotton soil has
particle sizes less than 0.001 mm. At the liquid limit, the
volume change is of the order of 200–300% and results in a
swelling pressure as high as 8 kg/cm2 to 10 kg/cm2 (Nayak and
Christensen 1971). As such black cotton soil has very low
bearing capacity and high swelling (during monsoon) and
shrinkage (during summer) characteristics. Because of this,
black cotton soil poses great challenges to the civil engineering
fraternity and is never considered as a favourable material in
the civil engineering design and construction. The vertical
movement that takes place in the soil mass due to swelling
and shrinkage of black cotton soil may lead to failure that can
be observed in the form of settlement, heavy depression,
cracking and unevenness (Chen 1988). Many criteria are avail-
able to identify and characterise the swelling potential of
expansive soils that includes approach based on (i) liquid
limit (Chen 1988, BIS: 1498-1970 1987), (ii) plasticity index
(Holtz and Gibbs 1956, Chen 1988, BIS: 1498-1970 1987),
(iii) shrinkage limit (Holtz and Gibbs 1956), (iv) percentage
expansion in oedometer test (Holtz and Gibbs 1956, Seed et al.
1962), (v) colloidal content (Holtz and Gibbs 1956) and (vi)
shrinkage index or free swell index (BIS:1498-1970 1987).
Table 1 provides criterion for classifying the expansive soil
based on Holtz and Gibbs (1956). The criterion has been
followed in the present study to classify the expansive soil
(based on Atterberg’s limit test data) as well as fixing the
targeted properties of the soil–tyre mix in order to determine
the percentage of tyre waste to be mixed in the expansive soil
in reducing its potential for volume change that is a major
source of concern for engineers dealing with expansive soils.
Methods for improving the engineering properties (strength
and stiffness) of black cotton soil include treatment (stabilisa-
tion) with lime or cement or through chemicals (Hausmann
1990).
Recently, attentions have been paid to utilise tyre waste in
the field of civil engineering. Waste tyres have excellent
mechanical properties and they are non-biodegradable. They
are available in abundance and pose a problem for safe dis-
posal without degrading the environment. Waste tyres have
been effectively used to partially replace aggregates in mortar
and concrete (Raghavan et al. 1998, Oikonomou et al. 2006) to
produce workable concrete for specific applications. It is
observed that the addition of tyre particles in cement based
products reduces the compressive, flexural and tensile strength
(Pierce and Williams 2004, Oikonomou et al. 2006) as well as

*Corresponding author. Email: 2002.lala@gmail.com

© 2014 Taylor & Francis

304
Table 1. Expansive soil classification based on Holtz and Gibbs (1956)
Shrinkagelimit (SL) Liquidlimit (LL) Plasticlimit (PL)
>15 20–35 <15
12–15 35–50 15–28
7–12 50–70 28–41
<7 >70 >41
dynamic modulus of elasticity producing less brittle material
(Oikonomou et al. 2006, Khalu et al. 2008). Tyre waste has
been used in asphalt mixtures for better skid resistance,
reduced fatigue cracking, improved resistance to rutting,
improved tensile strength and toughness, longer pavement
life and reduced maintenance cost compared with conventional
mixtures (Khosla et al. 1990, Fedroff et al. 1996, Khatib and
Bayomy 1999).
In Geotechnical engineering applications, tyre wastes are
used alone or mixed with soil and the engineering properties
of these mixes are obtained through testing (Edil and Bosscher
1994, Taltisoz et al. 1997). When mixed with soil, it provides
light weight construction material with improved engineering
properties such as strength, compared with those of soil alone
(Oikonomou and Mavridou 2009). ASTM-D6270-98 (2004)
provides design guidelines for the use of scrap tyres in civil
engineering applications.
Several studies in the past have identified the physical
properties of soil modified with tyre waste. Cetin et al.
(2006) concluded that the dry densities of clayey soil mixed
with tyre waste are reduced as the amount of tyre increases.
Other geotechnical properties were also studied, such as, (i)
Atterberg’s limits (decreased as the percentage of tyre
increased or the clay content decreased) (Cetin et al. 2006),
(ii) permeability (increased as normal pressure reduced and as
the tyre content increased) (Oikonomou and Mavridou 2009),
(iii) shear strength of sand (increased, up to 30% shredded tyre
waste mixed) (Foose et al. 1996) and clayey soil (improved
20–30% with addition of tyre waste) (Cetin et al. 2006) and
(iv) consolidation (decreases while using tyre chips)
(Humphrey 1995). For investigating bearing capacity improve-
ment, laboratory tests have been conducted on soils and, in
particular, sand reinforced with tyre. Results on sand-tyre shred
mixtures showed an increase in bearing capacity ratio and a
decrease in post-peak resistance reductions, depending on the
tyre content and the aspect ratio (Oikonomou and Mavridou
2009). Tyre wastes have also been utilised in landfills (Reddy
et al. 2010), backfilling of retaining walls (Tweedie et al. 1998,
Lee et al. 1999), drainage system (Humphrey 1995), reinforce-
ment purpose (Bosscher et al. 1993, Foose et al. 1996), and
highway embankments (Bosscher et al., 1997). Excellent lit-
erature reviews on various applications of tyre waste in the
civil engineering field are presented in Humphrey (1995),
ASTM-D6270-98 (2004) and Oikonomou and Mavridou
(2009). Numerous works reported in the literature for charac-
terising the mechanical properties of the tyre–soil mixture
A. Srivastava et al.
Plasticityindex (ip) % expansion in oedometer Potential forvolume change
<23 <10 Low
12–23 10–20 Medium
23–32 20–30 High
>32 >30 Very high
motivated the authors to study the feasibility of using different
size shredded tyre waste in modifying the geotechnical proper-
ties of expansive cohesive (clayey) black cotton soil covering a
major portion of the Indian sub-continent.
2. Objectives
The objectives of the present study are to obtain the geotech-
nical properties of black cotton soil by partially replacing it
(different percentage by weight) with shredded tyre waste of
two different categories, such as, (i) passing 2.0–0.075 mm
retained (fine), and, (ii) passing 4.75–2.0 mm retained (coarse).
Different tests, such as, Atterber’s limit, Proctor test, uncon-
fined compressive strength (UCS) tests, swelling pressure and
consolidation tests were performed to characterise the black
cotton soil–shredded tyre mix. The results are then compared
and discussed in the light of results for other soil–tyre mixture
material and test results given in the literature and provide
discussion on the feasibility of using shredded tyre waste as
a mechanical additive to modify its geotechnical properties and
potential use in various civil engineering applications,
accordingly.
3. Experimental program and methodology
Samples were prepared by mixing black cotton soil with dif-
ferent percentage of shredded tyre waste by weight. The index
properties of black cotton soil (passing 425 micron) are pro-
vided in Table 2 and particle size distribution (PSD) of the
black cotton soil and shredded tyre waste of both the cate-
gories, i.e., (i) passing 4.75–2.00 mm retained (coarse) as well
as (ii) passing 2.00–0.075 mm retained (fine) are provided in
Figure 1. It is to be noted that all the tests were performed on
soil passing through a 425 micron sieve size. The shredded
tyre waste of sizes corresponding to coarse (4.75–2.00 mm
Table 2. Index properties of expansive black cotton soil
Soil properties Values
Liquid limit (wL) 61%
Plastic limit (wp) 29%
Shrinkage limit (ws) 9%
 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal 305

100 (Figure 2). Effects of mixing varying quantities of shredded

Tire Waste ( 2.0 mm – 0.075 mm)
tyre waste (% by weight separate mixing was done for both the
90 Tire Waste (4.75 mm – 2.0 mm)
categories of the shredded tyre waste) on the geotechnical
Black Cotton Soil
80 properties of black cotton soil were investigated through a
series of tests performed following the standard procedure
70
explained in Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) codes of
% Finer by weight

60
50
40
30
20
10
0 (ASTM D4943-08). The shrinkage limit values are used to
0.001 0.01 0.1
Particle size (mm)
Figure 1. Particle size distribution (PSD) of black cotton soil (425 micron
passing) and shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories.
range) and medium to fine sand (2.00–0.075 mm range) sizes
were used. As the tyre waste used in the present study was
obtained from a shredder mill, sizes in the gravel range
(80–4.75 mm) were not available and therefore, tests were
not performed on soil mixed with shredded tyre waste having
gravel range sizes. Cetin et al. (2006) previously did similar
studies on cohesive (clayey and non-expansive) soil with simi-
lar size range (coarse and fine) of tyre chip mixtures. The
present study focuses on using expansive (black cotton) soil
that was locally obtained from the region of Madhya Pradesh,
in central India, and, mixed with shredded tyre waste
practice.
The liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) tests were
performed as per the procedure discussed in BIS: 2720-Part
V (1985) (ASTM D4318-10). These tests are used for clas-
sification systems in order to characterise the fine-grained
fractions of soils as well as classifying the expansive soil to
obtain the volume change potential as per the guidelines
provided in Table 1. Shrinkage limit test was performed as
per the guidelines available in BIS: 2720-Part-VI (1972)
1 10
evaluate the shrinkage potential, crack development potential
and swell potential of earthwork involving cohesive soils.
The compaction test was performed as per BIS: 2720-Part
VII (1980) (ASTM 698-12). The Indian standard equivalent
of the standard Proctor test is called the light compaction
test. The volume of the mould is 1000 cc, the weight of
hammer 2.60 kg and the drop is 310 mm. The soil is com-
pacted in three layers, each layer tamped 25 times. The
unconfined compressive strength test is performed following
the guidelines provided in BIS 2720-Part X (1991) (reaf-
firmed 2006) (ASTM D2166-06). The strain rate was kept
high (1.25 mm/minute) to simulate the undrained condition
during the testing. Consolidation tests on black cotton soil
alone as well as black cotton soil mixed with different
percentage of shredded tyre waste of both the categories
(coarse and fine) were performed as per BIS: 2720-Part XV
(1986) (ASTM D2435-11). The swelling pressure test was

Figure 2. a) 425 micron passing Black Cotton soil, b) 2.00–0.075 mm shredded tyre waste (Fine category), c) 4.75 mm passing – 2.00 mm retained (coarse
category).
306 A. Srivastava et al.

performed as per the standard procedure available in BIS: a)

2720-Part XLI (1977) (ASTM D4546-08). The standard 70.00
covers the laboratory method of conducting one dimensional

Liquid Limits,Plastic Limits,Plasticity Index

swelling pressure test using either fixed or the floating rings 60.00
on either undisturbed or remoulded soils in the partially
saturated condition to determine the swelling pressure of 50.00
the soil. Two methods, namely, consolidometer method in
which the volume change of the soil is permitted and the
40.00
corresponding pressure required to bring back the soil to its
original volume is measured and the constant volume method
in which the volume change is prevented and the consequent 30.00
pressure is measured are covered. In the present study, fixed
ring method is used. 20.00

Liquid Limit
10.00
Plastic Limit
Plasticity Index
4. Results and discussions 0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50
4.1 Index properties analysis % Shredded tyre waste of finer size
b)
70.00
As per BIS 1498-1970 (1987) soil classification system
(ASTM D2487-11), the black cotton soil is classified as CH,
Liquid Limits,Plastic Limits,Plasticity Index

i.e., clay with high plasticity. Following the Holtz and Gibbs 60.00
(1956) criterion as presented in Table 1, the expansive black
cotton soil has ‘High’ potential for volume change. The locally 50.00
available black cotton soil contains mainly beidellite, a mem-
ber of the montmorillonite group. With addition of shredded 40.00
tyre waste, the clay content decreases and, accordingly, the
Atterberg’s limits are decreased. 30.00
From Figures 3a and 3b, it can be noted that in both the
cases with percentage increase in shredded tyre waste the
20.00
values of liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) decreases. It
is due to the reduction in percentage clay content in the soil- Liquid Limit
10.00
tyre waste mix. From Figure 3a, it can be noted that with Plastic Limit
addition of shredded tyre waste of fine category in black cotton Plasticity Index
soil the plasticity index (PI) values remain almost constant 0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50
(23–24), and it is due to the fact that the LL and PL values
% Shredded tyre waste of coarser size
get reduced with the same magnitude. From Figure 3b, it can
be observed that with up to 20% addition of the coarser Figure 3. a) Changes in liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index as % of
category of shredded tyre waste the PI values remain constant shredded tyre waste of finer category increases, b) Changes in liquid limit,
plastic limit, plasticity index as % of shredded tyre waste of coarser category
(32–33) but it reduces (up to 25) with further (50%) addition of increases.
coarser tyre waste. The results are similar to the results
obtained by Cetin et al. (2006) who previously studied cohe-
sive (clayey) soil with similar size tyre chips mixtures. The the mass specific gravity of the soil in its dry state. A decrease in
studies indicated that as the percentage of tyre rubber waste the SR value with addition of shredded tyre waste in the black
increased, the clay content decreased and consequently cotton soil is attributed to the fact that the mass specific gravity
Atterberg limits also decreased (Oikonomou and Mavridou of the shredded tyre–soil mix gets reduced. These results clearly
2009). These results clearly indicate that addition of shredded show potential for reducing the shrinkage behaviour of black
tyre waste of coarser category is relatively more beneficial in cotton soil when mixed with shredded tyre waste. It is also
reducing the volume change potential of black cotton soil. observed that addition of coarser shredded tyre waste provides
Figures 4a and 4b show the shrinkage limit (SL) and shrink- relatively higher values of shrinkage limit values and lower
age ratio (SR) values obtained for black cotton soil mixed with values of shrinkage ratios when compared to the corresponding
different percentage of shredded tyre waste of both the cate- values obtained for finer shredded tyre waste mixed with black
gories, respectively. It can be noted that as the percentage of tyre cotton soil. Hence, addition of coarser category size shredded
waste increases the shrinkage limit increases and the shrinkage tyre waste is more advantageous for controlling the shrinkage
ratio values decrease. The shrinkage ratio of a soil is defined as behaviour of black cotton soils.
 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal 307

a) a)
20
0% Tyre Waste
18

16 1.70

14

Dry Density (gm/cc)

Shrinkage Limit

12

10

8 1.60

6
Tyre Waste (coarse)
4
Tyre Waste (Fine)
2
Pure Soil
0 1.50
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
% Tyre Waste Water Content (%)
b) b)
2.5 1.55
5% Tyre Waste
10% Tyre Waste
15% Tyre Waste
2
20% Tyre Waste
1.45
Dry Density (gm/cc)
Shrinkage Ratio

1.5

1.35

Tyre Waste (coarse) 1.25

0.5
Tyre Waste (Fine)
4.75 mm–2.00 mm
Tyre Waste Size range
Pure Soil 2.00 mm–0.075mm

0 1.15
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
% Tyre Waste Water Content (%)

Figure 4. a) Shrinkage Limit of black cotton soil partially replaced with Figure 5. a) Compaction test results for the black cotton soil alone as well as
different % of shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories, b) black cotton soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of coarser cate-
Shrinkage ratio of black cotton soil partially replaced with different % of gory, b) Compaction test results for the black cotton soil alone as well as black
shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories. cotton soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of finer category.

4.2 Compaction test results
Figures 5a and 5b show the compaction characteristics of the
black cotton soil alone as well as black cotton soil partially
replaced with the shredded tyre waste of two categories
(coarse and fine). The maximum dry density (MDD) and
optimum moisture content (OMC) of black cotton soil is
obtained as 1.70 g/cc and 15%, respectively as shown in
Figure 5a. From Figure 5b, it can be noted that with the
percentage addition of shredded tyre waste, there are reduc-
tions in maximum dry density values. Use of coarser size
tyre waste reduces the dry density of the black cotton soil–
tyre waste mixture relatively more when compared to the
corresponding values of dry densities obtained for black
cotton soil–tyre waste mix with finer size shredded tyre
waste. These results indicate good potential for using the
shredded tyre waste as lightweight fill material behind retain-
ing walls or construction of light weight embankments over
weak or soft soil foundations. These results are similar to the
observations made by Cetin et al. (2006) where it was con-
cluded that the dry densities of clayey soil mixed with rubber
(in any size) decrease as the amount of rubber increases.
Similar results were obtained for a sandy mud soil
(Oikonomou and Mavridou 2009). Dry densities were
found to decrease as the percentage of rubber increased,
regardless of the rubber size.
4.3 Unconfined compressive strength
Figures 6a and 6b show the stress–strain plot of soil samples
prepared with black cotton soil alone as well as black cotton
308 A. Srivastava et al.

b)
a) Pure Soil 5% Tyre Waste
50 100 10% Tyre Waste
5% Tyre Waste
45 10% Tyre Waste 15% Tyre Waste
15% Tyre Waste 20% Tyre Waste
40 20% Tyre Waste 80 Pure Soil

Axial Stress (kPa)

35
Axial Stress, kPa

30 60
25
20 40
15
10 20
5
0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
% Axial Strain Axial strain (%)

c) 45
Tyre Waste (Fine)
41.4
40
Undrained Cohesion (cu), kPa

Tyre Waste (Coarse)

35
30
25
25.3 23.8
20
15 13.6 8.7 14.5 14.0
7.6
10
5
4.0
0
0 5 10 15 20
% Shredded tyre waste

Figure 6. a) Stress-strain plot of black cotton soil partially replaced with different % shredded tyre waste (finer size) obtained from unconfined compressive
strength (UCS) tests, b) Stress - strain plot of black cotton soil partially replaced with different % shredded tyre waste (coarser size) obtained from unconfined
compressive strength (UCS) tests, c) Undrained cohesion (cu) values of black cotton soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories.

soil mixed with shredded tyre waste of both the categories undrained cohesion value (or undrained shear strength)
tested in an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing with 5% mixing of coarse size shredded tyres waste.
machine on the soil samples of cylindrical size (38 mm Further addition of shredded tyre waste reduces the
diameter and 76 mm height) that were prepared at their undrained cohesion (or undrained shear strength) value of
OMC and MDD. The stress–strain plot shows the average black cotton soil. Previous studies performed on tyre shred–
of three trials or two similar responses and these results were sand mixtures (with shreds up to 102 mm in size) with
used to obtain the unconfined compressive strength (qu) of different percentage of tyre shreds, shred aspect ratios and
the soil samples (peak value). These values were further sand matrix relative densities utilising triaxial compression
utilised to obtain the undrained cohesion (cu) as cu = qu/2. tests indicated strength increase up to 30% tyre chips mix.
The results are presented in Figure 6c. It can be noted that The results of the direct shear tests on the sandy silt – tyre
addition of finer size shredded tyre waste reduces the chip mixtures showed an improvement in strength as the
undrained cohesion values (i.e., undrained shear strength) percentage of rubber increased from 10% to 20% (Foose
of the black cotton soil. From the results presented, it can et al. 1996). According to Cetin et al. (2006), for mixtures
be observed that the undrained cohesion values for black made of clay and tyre chips, the shear strength is reported to
cotton soil partially replaced with coarser size tyre shreds increase by 30% (when fine, i.e., < 0.425 mm, tyre chips
are relatively higher than the corresponding values obtained were used) and by 20% (when coarse, i.e., 4.75–2.00 mm,
for black cotton soil partially replaced with finer size tyre chip were used). It was also noted in the previous studies
shredded tyre waste. Compared to the pure soil (0% tyre that the cohesion increased as the amount of rubber increases
waste), there is 60% (approximately) improvement is up to 40%, while the angle of internal friction decreased.
 Geomechanics and Geoengineering: An International Journal
2.50
2.35
2.00
Swelling Pressure, kg/cm2
1.50
1.50
1.30
1.20
1.00
0.80
0.50 Fine Tyre Waste
Coarse Tyre Waste
Pure Soil
0.00
0 5 10 15 20 25
% Tyre Waste
Figure 7. Swelling pressure values of black cotton soil partially replaced with
different % of shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories.
4.4 Swelling pressure tests
The results are presented in Figure 7. It is noted that with
different percentage addition of shredded tyre waste, the swelling
pressure values decrease. It is interesting to note that the swelling
pressure values of black cotton soil partially replaced with
shredded tyre waste of coarser size are lower than the corre-
sponding values obtained for black cotton soil partially replaced
with shredded tyre waste of finer size. The results clearly indicate
potential use of shredded tyre waste in black cotton soil for
reducing its swelling potential. Use of coarser size shredded
tyre waste is more beneficial than finer size shredded tyre
waste in black cotton soil. The findings are similar to Seda
et al. (2007), who studied the effect of adding small particles
of waste tire rubber on the swelling potential of an expansive soil
obtained from Colorado. One-dimensional swell-consolidation
tests were performed and it was found that while the ESR
mixture were more compressible than the untreated soil, both
the swell percent and the swelling pressure were significantly
reduced by the addition of rubber to the expansive soil.
4.4.1 Consolidation test results
In the present study, consolidation tests were performed on black
cotton soil partially replaced with different percentages of
shredded tyre waste (coarser and finer size) to obtain the para-
meters such as, coefficient of consolidation (cv) from dial gauge
reading vs. (log) time plot, compression index (Cc) from e-logσ′
plot and coefficient of permeability values. Each soil sample was
prepared at its OMC and MDD. To obtain the e-logσ′ plot,
consolidation tests on different soil samples were performed for
the normal stress range of 50 kPa, 100 kPa, 200 kPa, 400 kPa
and 800 kPa. These stress ranges were selected based on the
expected soil pressure experienced by the subsoil in different
civil engineering infrastructure projects, such as, subgrade for
309
highways, foundation soils, etc. The test results, such as,
dial gauge reading vs square root of time (t) at 100 kPa normal
pressure as well as void ratio (e) vs effective pressure (e - logσ′)
obtained for black cotton soil as well as soil mixed with different
percentages of shredded tyre waste were used to obtain the
coefficient of consolidation (Cv) and compression index (Cc)
values of the mix. Typical void ratio (e) vs effective pressure
1.20 (e - logσ′) results are provided in Figure 8a. The estimated values
of Cv and Cc are provided in Figures 8b and 8c, respectively.
These values indicate that with addition of shredded tyre waste
the compressibility of the soil as well as consolidation process
increases. Previously, sand–tyre and sandy silt–tyre mixtures
0.60 have been examined and it was observed that consolidation
decreases as stress level increases (Humphrey 1995). The com-
pressibility of sand–tyre mixture was found to increase signifi-
30 35 cantly for tyre content greater than 30% by weight of sand (Edil
et al. 1990). Additionally, clay–tyre chip mixtures have more
compressibility compared with sandy silt–tyre chip and sand–
tyre chip mixtures, while specimens of pure tyre chip compress
the most. Hence, based on the studies, it is suggested to use
backfills of soil mixed with tyre that may be less compressible
than those consisting of pure tyre chips (Edil 2004).
The consolidation test results were also utilised to obtain the
coefficient of permeability (at different normal stress values) of
the black cotton soil partially replaced with different percentages
of shredded tyre waste. Typical results are presented in Figure 8d
showing variations of permeability of black cotton soil partially
replaced with shredded tyre waste of the coarser category. It can
be noted that with addition of shredded tyre waste the perme-
ability of the black cotton soil increases and it reduces as the
normal stress applied on the soil sample increases. These results
are similar to those discussed in Oikonomou and Mavridou
(2009). Previous studies (Ahmed and Lovell 1993, Edil and
Bosscher 1994) showed an increase in hydraulic conductivity
when tyre chips of 3 mm maximum size are mixed with clean
uniform sand or with a fine glacial till, Humphrey (1995) sug-
gested that the permeability of tyre rubber is greater than that of
most granular aggregate and can be used as drainage layers in
landfill liners and caps. In the case of black cotton soil, which
has a very low permeability value, it can be mixed with tyre
waste to improve its permeability value for use as backfill
material behind retaining walls for proper drainage as well as
lightweight fill material as observed by Cetin et al. (2006) while
dealing with cohesive soils.
5. Conclusion
From the Atterberg’s limit tests, it is observed that 30–50%
addition of shredded tyre waste in expansive black cotton soil
considerably reduces the volume change potential of the black
cotton soil. It is noted that addition of 30–50% shredded tyre
waste reduces the shear strength of the soil as observed from the
UCS tests. Hence, addition of shredded tyre waste to such an
extent can only be suggested if the expansive black cotton soil is
310 A. Srivastava et al.

a) b)
0.9
3.50E–03

Coefficient of consolidation (cv), cm2/sec

Coarse Tyre Waste
0.8 3.00E–03 Fine Tyre Waste 3.02E-03
Pure Soil
2.50E–03
void ratio (e)

0.7
2.18E-03
2.00E–03

0.6 1.50E–03
0% Tyre Waste

10% Tyre Waste 1.00E–03

0.5 7.14E–04
20% Tyre Waste 5.00E–04 5.90E–04
4.67E–04
30% Tyre Waste 3.11E–04
1.15E–04
0.4 0.00E+00
0.01 0.1 1 10 0 10 20 30 40
Pressure (kg/cm2) % Tyre Waste
c) d)
0.390 0.387 1.80E–07

Coefficient of permeability (k), m/sec

50 kPa Normal Pressure
0.370 1.60E–07 100 kPa Normal Pressure
0.361 1.40E–07
Compression Index, Cc

200 kPa Normal Pressure

0.350 400 kPa Normal Pressure
1.20E–07
800 kPa Normal Pressure
0.330 1.00E–07
0.326

0.310 0.312 0.314 8.00E–08

0.299 6.00E–08
0.290 0.289
Coarse Tyre Waste 4.00E–08
0.270 Fine Tyre Waste
2.00E–08
Pure Soil
0.250 0.00E+00
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30
% Tyre Waste % Tyre Waste

Figure 8. a) Void ratio (e) vs effective pressure (e - logσ′) plot obtained for black cotton soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of finer category, b)
Coefficient of consolidation of black cotton soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories, c) Compression index (Cc) of black cotton
soil partially replaced with shredded tyre waste of coarse and fine categories, d) Permeability (m/sec) of black cotton soil (at different normal stress values) partially
replaced with different % of shredded tyre waste of coarser size.

to be used as backfill material of a retaining wall where such ASTM D2166 - 2006. Standard test method for unconfined compres-
measures will help in reducing the backfill pressure. Addition of sive strength of cohesive soil. PA: American Society for Testing
shredded tyre waste in black cotton soil also helps in reducing its and Materials.
swelling and shrinkage characteristics. From the combined obser- ASTM D2487 - 2011. Standard practice for classification of soils for
engineering purposes. PA: American Society for Testing and
vation of compaction tests and UCS test results, it can be noted
Materials.
that addition of 5% shredded tyre waste in black cotton soil will
ASTM D4318–2010. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit
provide a mix having a lighter weight and marginally improved and plasticity index. PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
shear strength. Hence, mixing of shredded tyre waste of coarser ASTM D4546–08, 1994. Test methods for one dimensional swell on
size can be suggested for the construction of lighter embankments settlement potential of cohesive soils. PA: American Society for
where it is required to be placed over soft or weak foundations. Testing and Materials.
Further, addition of shredded tyre waste increases the consolida- ASTM D4943–2008. Standard test method for shrinkage factors of soils
tion properties that may be attributed to the increased permeabil- by the wax method. PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
ity values of the mix. The addition of shredded tyre waste ASTM D6270-98, 2004. Standard practice for use of scrap tyres in
increases the compressibility properties of the mix. civil engineering applications (re-approved edition 2004). West
Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
ASTM D698- 2012. Standard test methods for laboratory compac-
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