Improvement in Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil Using Rice Husk

This research paper clarify about the In India, one-fifth part (1/5th) of the land area is covered by ‘black cotton soil’ which is also known as ‘expansive soil’. These soils are in abundance in arid and/or semi-arid regions. ‘Black soils’ are create problems in construction activities, now & then. They cause severe damage to the structure because of its alternate swell-shrink behavior. This happens due to alternate drying and wetting of black soil. The soil must be stabilized and strength be increased in appropriate proportion, to avoid these circumstances. Use of chemicals or wastes as a stabilizing agent, mechanical methods etc, are some among many such methods that help to modify and / or improve the characteristics of the existing soil. If we use any of the above mentioned methods, then the properties of the soil can be improved effectively and beneficially. Waste generation in India is a serious problem. We can find waste in India in every nook and corner. It includes domestic wastes, waste from industries, wastes from agricultural/farm produce etc. We can use this waste as a stabilizing agent, we can improve the strength of the soil and consequently, reduce the cost of construction. It also helps in disposing the wastes efficiently. And this in turn, makes the environment eco-friendly. We have done this research as a study with sole aim of finding the effects of ‘Rice Husk Ash’ (R.H.A.) on the soil. It is an agricultural waste. Study is done on the index & engineering characteristics of the ‘expansive soil’ , added in suitable proportions.. The soil properties such as index properties, free swelling index(FSI), ‘unconfined compressive strength’ (U.C.S.) are determined by replacing R.H.A. partially in black cotton soil’. This investigation is done on a clayey soil, taken from Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), in order to study the improvement in its geotechnical properties by adding different percentages of RHA (10, 20 and 30%) and hydrated lime (3, 6 and 9%) by weight. According to Laboratory results, O.M.C increases and M.D.D decreases with the increase in %age of RHA & added Lime. In this study, with the increase in % age of lime added for stabilization of soil; RHA mixes and the soil gains strength.