VISVESWARAIAH TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

BELGAUM-590010

A Seminar report
On

“SOIL STABILIZATION USING RICE HUSK ASH AND LIME

SLUDGE”

Submitted by

RAJESH JAIN G P

USN: 1KN11CV031

UNDER THE GUIDENCE

Ms. ASHWINI R.M

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

KNS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BANGALORE

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 KNS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BANGALORE-560065

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that RAJESH JAIN G.P bearing USN 1KN11CV031 has
satisfactorily presented a seminar and submitted the seminar report on “SOIL
STABILIZATOIN USING RICE HUSK ASH AND LIME SLUDGE”in partial fulfillment of
the curriculum prescribed for 8TH semester B.E in Civil Engineering by
VisveswaraiahTechnological University, Belgaum during the year 2015-16.

…………………………. …………………
Signature of Seminar Guide Signature of H.O.D
.
[Ms. ASHWINI R.M] [Mrs. SUDHA P.S]
(Lecturer, Dept. of Civil) (H.O.D Dept. of Civil)

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The satisfaction that accompanies the successful completion of any task would be
incomplete without mentioning of the people who made it possible. Many responsible for the
knowledge and experience gained during the work course.

I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude and indebthness to

Ms. ASHWINI R.M lecturers, Civil Engineering Department, KNSIT Bangalore, for his
constant encouragement, guidance and inspiration, which enabled me to complete this seminar
work.

I would also like to express my gratefulness towards all the faculty members, Department
of Civil Engineering, KNSIT, Bangalore for their timely suggesting.

I am thankful to Mrs. SUDHA P.S, Professor and Head, Department of Civil

Engineering, for bringing excellent academic climate to finish my work successfully.
Last but not the least, I express my deepest sense of gratitude for the inspiration,
enthusiasm and help given by my parents and friends.

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 CONTENTS PAGE NO

1. CERTIFICATE 2

2. ACKONWEGMENT 3

3. ABSTRACT 5

4. INTRODUCTION 6

5. NEED FOR SOIL STABILIZATION 8

6. ADVANTAGES OF SOIL STABILIZATION 9

7. MATERIAL USED 10

8. METHADOLOGY 16

9. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 17

10. CONCLUSION 21

11. REFRENCE 22

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 ABSTRACT

In India the soil mostly present is Clay, in which the construction of sub grade is
problematic. In recent times the demands for sub grade materials has increased due to increased
constructional activities in the road sector and due to paucity of available nearby lands to allow
excavate fill materials for making sub grade. In this situation, a means to overcome this problem
is to utilize the different alternative generated waste materials, which cause not only
environmental hazards and also the depositional problems. Keeping this in view stabilization of
weak soil in situ may be done with suitable admixtures to save the construction cost
considerably. The present investigation has therefore been carried out with agricultural waste
materials like Rice Husk Ash (RHA) which was mixed with soil to study improvement of weak
sub grade in terms of compaction and strength characteristics. Silica produced from rice husk
ashes have investigated successfully as a pozzolanic material in soil stabilization. However, rice
husk ash cannot be used solely since the materials lack in calcium element. As a result, rice husk
ash shall be mixed with other cementitious materials such as lime and cement to have a solid
chemical reaction in stabilization process. Lime is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. It is the
name of the natural mineral (native lime) CaO occurs as a product of coal seam fires and in
altered lime stone xenoliths in volcanic ejection. In this study RHA and Lime is mixed in
different percentage like (RHA as 5%, 10%, and 15%) and (Lime as 3%, 6%, 9%) and laboratory
test CBR is done with a curing period of 4, 7 and 14 days with different percentages of RHA &
Lime and Lime+ RHA.

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 INTRODUCTION

Soil improvement could either be by modification or stabilization or both. Soil

modification is the addition of a modifier (cement, lime etc.) to a soil to change its index
properties, while soil stabilization is the treatment of soils to enable their strength and durability
to be improved such that they become totally suitable for construction beyond their original
classification. Over the times, cement and lime are the two main materials used for stabilizing
soils.

These materials have rapidly increased in price due to the sharp increase in the cost of
energy since 1970s (Neville, 2000). The over dependence on the utilization of industrially
manufactured soil improving additives (cement, lime etc), have kept the cost of construction of
stabilized road financially high. This hitherto, has continued to deter the underdeveloped and
poor nations of the world from providing accessible roads to their rural dwellers who constitute
the higher percentage of their population and are mostly, agriculturally dependent.

Thus the use of agricultural waste (such as rice husk ash) will considerably reduce the
cost of construction and as well reducing the environmental hazards they causes. Therefore,
replacing proportions of the Portland cement in soil stabilization with a secondary cementitious
material like RHA will reduce the overall environmental impact of the stabilization process.
Silica produced from rice husk ashes have investigated successfully as a pozzolanic material in
soil stabilization. However, rice husk ash cannot be used solely since the materials lack in
calcium element. As a result, rice husk ash shall be mixed with other cementitious materials such
as lime and cement to have a solid chemical reaction in stabilization process. Lime is a general
term for calcium-containing inorganic materials in which carbonates, oxides and hydroxides
predominate. Strictly speaking, lime is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. It is the name of the
natural mineral (native lime) CaO occurs as a product of coal seam fires and in altered lime stone
xenoliths in volcanic ejection. Rice husk is an agricultural waste obtained from milling of rice.
About 108 tons of rice husk is generated annually in the world.

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NEED FOR SOIL STABILIZATION

 Soil stabilization is the cost-effective, long term physical and chemical alteration
of soil to enhance their physical properties.

 We can improve shear and unconfined compressive strengths and permanently

lower the soils permeability to expensive soil.

 Stabilization helps increase the strength of the existing soil to improve its capacity
for load bearing and allows increase and evenly disturbed support to the structure.

 Soil stabilization helps improve, the bearing capacity of the foundation and its
strength, water tightness, resistance to wash out.

 The wide spread of black cotton soil as posed challenges and difficulties in the
construction activities, that can be avoided by soil stabilization.

 Effective utilization of locally available soils and other suitable stabilizing agents.

 Encouraging the use of industrial wastages in building low cost construction of

roads.

 Limited financial resources to provide a complete network road system to build in

conventional method.

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ADVANTAGES OF SOIL STABILIZATION
 SUBSTANTAL SAVINGS:-
The costs associated with excavating the
existing soil, removing it from the site and replacing with suitable materials are
eliminated.

 REDUCED WEATHER RELATED DELAYS:-

In areas the climate and weather conditions
site work during certain times of the year, soil stabilization may be utilized to
treat unstable soils in order to continues site work.

 ELIMINATING SUPPLY PROBLEMS:-

In areas where replacement of existing
material is problematic mainly of the site is located in remote area
whereaggregate supply in cost prohibitive to import it becomes cost effective
alternative.

 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL REDUCTION:-

The reduction in the section of base material
and asphalt paving can also create cost savings if the existing subgrade is
stabilized.

SOIL STABILIZATION APPLICATIONS

1. Building pads
2. Streets and roads
3. Parking lots
4. Storage and truck yards
5. Ponds and landfill liners

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MATERIALS USED
 Black cotton soil

 Rice husk ash

 Lime sludge

BLACK COTTON SOIL

Fig 1: Black cotton soil

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  Black cotton soil is also known as regular cotton soil.

 Dark grey or black in colour.

 High clay content and moisture content.

 Cracks in summer region.

 The wide spread of the black cotton soil has posed challenges and difficulties in
the construction activities because of its shrink-swell behaviour and low
strength. The inadequate natural stability of black cotton soil can be reduced
using various techniques; one of them is through admixtures. Stabilization
techniques can be adopted on large scale when the treatment is low cost and
durable.

OCCURANCE

In Maharashtra and particularly Vidharbha region top layers comprises of black cotton
soils deposits are observed everywhere which is basically a clayey soil comprises of
montmorillonite clay mineral as its major constituent. These soils are black in colour thus the
name black cotton soil suggested, are found suitable for agricultural purposes but are problematic
in nature to the civil engineering projects. Effect of volumetric changes in the form of swelling
and shrinkage under the water influence pose numerous problems to the structures built on it
such as cracks, undulations, uneven surfacing, settlement of different nature and magnitudes, etc.
These soils are having less bearing capacity, less shearing resistance and are generally not
suitable / ideal as a foundation soil for construction purposes. Following Fig.1 shows major soil
deposits in India.

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 To make black cotton soils suitable as a good substratum for construction usage
improvement in existing properties are necessary. Different ways are available for enhancing
engineering performances of soils are soil stabilization, soil reinforcement, etc. Admixtures like
lime, cement were used traditionally for stabilization purposes. Recent studies shows Flyash and
RHA alone or in combination with lime or cement can be used for effective stabilization of weak
soils to a great extent. With the same intention author have undertaken review of utilization of
these waste materials as stabilizer and same is presented here. This may found to be an
economical treatment method for soils as these materials are available locally and such solution
will definitely found beneficial for the developing countries like India where economy is the
prime concern for adopting any new method or technique. Additionally, safe disposal mechanism
can be suggested for the waste being generated which will help in reducing the hazardous effect
on the environment of the region.

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PROPERTIES OF BLACK COTTON SOIL

 Specific gravity:-specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the unit weight of soil
solids to unit weight of water. Specific gravity is required in calculation of soil
properties like void ratio, degree of saturation.

 Liquid limit:-The liquid limit is defined as the moisture content at which soil begins
to behave as a liquid material and begins to flow. The liquid limit is determined in the
lab as the moisture content at which the two sides of a groove formed in soil come
together and touch for a distance of 2inch after 25 blows.

 Plastic limit:-The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content where the thread
breaks apart at diameter of 3.2mm. A Soil is considered non plastic if a thread cannot be
rolled out to 3.2mm at any moisture.

 Shrinkage limit:-The shrinkage limit of soil is defined as the water content at which
will not cause a decrese in volume.

 Grain size distribution:-Is an index indicating what sizes of particles are present in
what proportion in the sample particle group to be measured.

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TABLE NO: 1 PROPERTIES OF BLACK COTTON SOIL
PARTICULARS TEST VALUES
1. Specific gravity 2.56
2.Liquid limit 48.5%
3.Plastic limit 22.7%
4.Shrinkage limit 8.61%

5.Grain size distribution 89.783%

RICE HUSK ASH

Fig 2: rice husk ash

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  Rice mill generates by product known as husk.

 During milling of paddy about 78%of weight is received as rice, rest 22%of weight of
paddy is received as husk.

 This husk contains about 75% ORGANIC VOLATAILE matter and the balance 25% of
the weight of this husk is converted into ash during the firing process is known as rice
husk ash(RHA).

 The RHA in turns contains around 85% to 90% of AMORPOUS SILICA.

 So for every 1000kgs of paddy milled, about 220kgs of husk is produced, and when this
husk is burnt in the boilers about 55kgs of RHA is generated.

 This rise husk ash acts as a great stabilizing agent.

 RHA has 90% of silicon dioxide, the high amount of silicon dioxide reacts with calcium
and undergoes chemical reaction, there by improved the strength of the soil.

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PROPERTIES OF RICE HUSK ASH
 Chemical properties

 Physical properties

TABLE NO: 2 chemical properties of rice husk ash

PARTICULARS TEST VALUES

1. Silica 85.14%
2. Lime 3.08%
3. Alumina 2.07%
4. Iron oxide 1.43%
5. Magnesia 4.03%

TABLE NO: 3 physical properties of rice husk ash

PARTICULARS TEST VALUES
1. Specific gravity 1.81gm/cc
2. Particals size 13.2%

LIME SLUDGE

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 FIG 3:-LIME SLUDGE

 Lime sludge is an inert material mostly composed of calcium carbonate.

 These are obtained from waste water treatment plants.

 Feasibility studies tested that the efficiency of using lime sludge in stabilization of soil
gives more accurate results.

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METHODOLOGY

o A series of laboratory tests were conducted on 5% lime mixed with soil

blended with RSH in various percentages i.e. 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%
by weight of dry soil.

o The following tests were conducted on 5%lime mixed with soil and RHA as
per IS code. The tests are

1. Uncinfined compression test

2. California bearing ratio

LABORATIRY STUDIES:-

The testing program conducted on the clayey soil samples included determination of the
physical and chemical properties of soils at their natural state. On the other hand, the testing
program conducted on the clayey soil samples mixed with different percentages of rice husk ash
and lime materials, included unconfined compression test and CBR test.

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 1. Unconfined compression test UCS test is performed in accordance with IS:2720 part
10 (1973). The sample sizes were of 38 mm diameter and 76 mm length. At the optimum
moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry unit weight, the tests were performed. The addition
of RHA-lime increases the strength due to similar reason as discussed in the effect of rice husk
ash-lime in UCS of expansive soil. As the pozzolanic reactions are time dependent, the soil gains
strength with increase in curing period. Addition of fibers to the rice husk ash-lime stabilized
expansive soil mixes, increases the strength because cementing gel formed by the reaction of
amorphous silica and alumina with calcium of lime, binds the fibers with the soil particles, hence
the effective contact area of clay particles and fibers increases and the movement of fiber is also
restricted. The benefit of stabilization and reinforcement is achieved. Hence strength goes on
increasing with increase in curing period and addition of fibers.

2. California bearing ratio (CBR) is a penetration test for evaluation of the mechanical
strength of road sub grades and base courses. It was developed by the California Department of
Transportation before World War II. The CBR test is fully described in IS: 2720 part 16 (1987).
CBR of the soil increased to 2.94% from 1.98% when it was stabilized with optimum
proportion of rice husk ash and lime at 0 day curing, increase in curing period, further
increases the soaked CBR to 11.2% at 28 days of curing which is 5.65 times that of virgin soil .
Addition of fiber increases the soaked CBR of rice husk ash –lime stabilized soil, soaked CBR
increases up to 1.5% addition of fiber and then after it decreases. The soaked CBR found to
increase with curing period irrespective of fiber content. The soaked CBR increased to a value
of 19.1% at 28 days of curing at 1.5 % addition of fiber, which is 9.7 times that of the virgin soil.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:-

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The tests results are summarized inThe variation in the Optimum moisture contents, Maximum
dry density, California bearing ratio, Unconfined compressive strength and Differential free
index.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:-

MIX OMC% MDD% UCS kg/cm²

BCS 18.25 1.68 1.10

SAM O 17.75 1.65 1.17
SAM 5 19.20 1.62 1.24
SAM 10 20 1.58 1.30
SAM 15 20.50 1.54 1.36
SAM 20 22 1.51 1.43

TERMS

BCS - Black cotton soil

SAM0 - Black cotton soil+5% lime

SAM5 - SAM0 +5% Rice husk ash

SAM10 - SAM0+10% Rice husk ash

SAM15 - SAM0+15% Rice husk ash

SAM20 - SAM0+20% Rice husk ash

FIG 4:-Variation in OMC

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 FIG 5:-Variation in MDD

FIG 6:-Variation in CBR

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FIG 7:-Variation in UCS

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FIG 8:-Variation in DFS

TERMS:

OMC-Optimum moisture content

MDD-Maximum dry density

CBR-California bearing ratio

UCS-Unconfined compressive strength

DFS-Differential free index

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CONCLUSION

From the results of the investigation carried out within the scope of the study the following
conclusion can be drawn

1. With the increase in rice husk ash percentage the optimum moisture content increases
from 18.25% to 22.00%.

2. Maximum dry density decreases from 1.68%gm/cm^3 to 1.51gm/cm^3.

3. There is significant increases in the values of California bearing ratio and unconfined
compressive strength. California bearing ratio increases from 1.94% to 7.52% and
unconfined strength increases from 1.10kg/cm^2 to 1.43kg/cm^2.

4. The CBR values increases by 287.62% and UCS improved by 30%.

5. The differential free swell of the black cotton soil is reduced by 86.92% with increases in
Rice husk ash content from 0% to 20% respectively.

6. From this investigation it can be concluded that the rice husk ash has a potential to
improve the characteristics of black cotton soil.

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REFRENCE
 A K Sabat (2012), “Utilization of Bagasse Ash and Lime Sludge for Construction of
Flexible Pavements in Expansive Soil Areas”, Electronic Journal of Geo-technical
Engineering, Vol.17, Bund.H, pp.1037-1046.

 A K Sabat and R P Nanda (2011), “Effect of Marble Dust on Strength and Durability of
Rice Husk Ash Stabilized Expansive Soil”, International journal of Civil and Structural
Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 939-948.

 Satyanarayana P V V, Rama Rao R an Krishna Rao C V (2004), “Utilization of Lime Fly

Ash Stabilized Expensive Soil in Roads and Embankments”. Pro-ceedings of Indian
Geotechnical Conference, Warangal (India).465-467.

 N K Bhasin, N K Goswami, P Oli, N Krishan and N B Lal (1988), “A Laboratory Study

on Utilization of Waste Materials for the Construction of Roads in Black Cotton Soil
Areas”, High way research bulle-tin, No. 36, pp. 1-11.

 A S Muntohar and G Hantoro (2000), “Influence of Rice Husk Ash and Lime on
Engineering Properties of a Clayey Subgrade”, Electronic Journal of Geotech- nical
Engineering, Vol. 5.

 Ali M, Sreenivasulu V (2004). “An Experimental Study on the Influence of Rice Husk
Ash and Lime on Properties of Bentonite”.Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical
Conference, Warangal (India).pp. 468- 471.

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  R K Srivastava, D K Joshi, K Srivastava, J Singh, R P Tiwari and N K Shukla (1997),
“SEM Analy-sis and Geotechnical Characterization of Industrial Waste Expansive Soil
Interaction Behaviour”, in Proc. of Indian Geotechnical Conference, IGC- pp. 409-410

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