SOIL STABILIZATION USING RUBBER CRUMB

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1GENERAL

Soil stabilisation is a way of improving the weight bearing capabilities and

performance of in situ sub soils, sands, and other waste materials in order to strengthen
road surfaces. The main objectives of soil stabilisation are to improve the California
Bearing Ratio of in situ soils, to improve onsite materials with the aim to create a solid and
strong sub base and base courses and also to replace (fully or partially) scarce and valuable
virgin construction materials which are non-renewable.

Solid waste management is one of the major environmental concerns worldwide. In

India, the scrap tyres are being generated and accumulated in large volumes causing an
increasing threat to the environment. With globalization of Indian economy and emphasis
on development of infrastructure, the number of vehicles on road is increasing day by day.
This increase in growth apart from causing noise and air pollution has begun to cause
pollution in terms of stock piles of discarded tyres. Many countries already banned the
disposal of the waste tyres in sanitary landfills. The use of waste tyres as fuel is now
prohibited by the Indian Government due to its environmental impact. In this regard, to
develop newer applications a study has been conducted to use rubber crumb with soil for
possible use in highway construction.

It is desirable from an engineering standpoint to build upon a foundation to ideal

and consistent density. Thus, the goal of soil stabilisation is to provide a solid, stable
foundation. Density is the measure of weight by volume of a material and one of the relied
upon measure of the suitability of a material for a construction purposes. The more density
a material possesses, the fewer voids are present. Voids are the enemy of the road
construction, voids provide a place for moisture to go, and make the material less stable by
allowing it to shift under changing pressure, temperature and moisture condition.
Improving an in situ soil engineering properties is referred to as either soil modification or
soil stabilisation. The term modification implies a minor change in the properties of soil,
while stabilisation means that the engineering properties of the soil have been changed
enough to allow field construction to take place.

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Transport in the Republic of India is an important part of the nation's economy.

Roads are the vital lifelines of the economy making possible trade and commerce. They are
the most preferred modes of transportation and considered as one of the cost effective
modes. An efficient and well-established network of roads is desired for promoting trade
and commerce in any country and also fulfils the needs of a sound transportation system
for sustained economic development. To provide mobility and accessibility, all weather
roads should connect every nook and corner of the country. To sustain both static and
dynamic load, the pavement should be designed and constructed with utmost care. The
performance of the pavement depends on the quality of materials used in road construction.

Sub grade is the in situ material upon which the pavement structure is placed.
Although there is a tendency to look at pavement performance in terms of pavement
structures and mix design alone, the sub grade soils can often be the overriding factor in
pavement performance. The construction cost of the pavements will be considerably
decreased if locally available low cost materials are used for construction of lower layer of
pavements such as sub grade, sub base etc. If the stability of local soils is not adequate for
supporting

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF WORK

• To determine the approximate percent of waste tyre rubber which is to be added in

the studied soil sample to get the maximum shear strength and stability of soil.
• To reduce the disposal of waste rubber.
• To reduce the cost
• To explore the possibility of using rubber crumb in road construction program.
• To study the effect of rubber crumb on the consistency limits of clayey soil.
• To study the changes in CBR of soil by the addition of rubber crumb and lime.
• To determine the optimum percentage of rubber crumb at which stabilization
occurs.
• To provide an alternative solution for the disposal of rubber waste.
• To provide an economical solution for soil stabilization using rubber waste

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1.3 SCOPE OF WORK

• Substitute or addition to a conventional fill material.

• CBR value increases and hence thickness of pavement decreases and tyre used as a
waste material is at very low cost.
• Permeability increases with addition of larger particle size of rubber crumb in lieu
of smaller size of soil.

• To reduce the amount of waste

• Use of waste in useful manner

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1GENERAL

In the earlier times, the problematic sites were usually ignored as there were
abundant areas consisting of good quality soil. But now the rapid urbanization and
industrialization are urging the people to make use of the problematic sites. The
construction on these types of soil is not recommended as this would lead to the ultimate
failure of the structure itself due to low bearing capacity and large settlements for the
structures constructed on these sites. Geotechnical problems of constructing structures on
these soils are mainly due to low shear strength, low durability, and high compressibility.
In order to confront with the above stated problems, a suitable ground improvement
technique is needed for surface or deep excavation in problematic soils for stability,
durability and settlement control.

2.2LITERATURE REVIEW

In order to understand the behaviour of stabilized clayey soil with the rubber crumb
and lime and their properties, a thorough literature survey was carried out. Various papers
in the regard of blending soil with admixtures contributed by various authors have been
reviewed thoroughly. A large number of research papers have been published on the use of
fly ash, lime, cement, geogrid for the stabilization of various types of soil. The main aim
was to generally improve the strength and the settlement characteristics of soil.

Baykal et al (1992) mixed clay and fly ash samples with used tyre obtained from retarding
industry and hydraulic conductivity test were conducted and he observed that strength
decrease once tyre percentage exceeds 30%
Foose (1996) falling head permeability test were conducted on rubber mixed soil sample
and it was observed that when water permeated through samples, slight increases in
hydraulic conductivity.
Papp et al (1997) conducted research on shredded scrap tyres blended with sub base soils
under flexible pavements. Resilient modulus (Mr) testing was used to determine the plastic
and elastic strains. Tests were conducted on cohesion less soils blended with varying
amounts of shredded tyre chips. Blend ratios ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 tyre chips to soil by
dry weight. The performance of the shredded tyre blends was compared to that of the

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naturally occurring virgin soil used in subbase applications in New Jersey. He concluded
that physically mixing tyre chips with the soil did not present any problems except when
excessive steel wires were protruding from the chips. The addition of the tyre chips to the
soil reduced both density and strength of the soil. The 50-mm (1.96-inch) tyre chips were
most economical and had the least negative strength impact.

Lee et al (1999) determined the shear strength and stress strain relationship of tyre chip
and a mixture of sand and tyre chips. They found out the stiffness and strength properties
for tyre sheds and rubber sand mixture.

Rao and Dutta (2001) conducted studies on sand mixed with rubber chips. Compressibility
tests and triaxial tests were conducted. The stress strain relations and strength parameters
were studied. It was found that the value of internal friction and effective cohesion of sand
increased with increase in percentage of rubber up to 15%.

Ventappa and Dutta (2006) performed a study with objective of determining

compressibility and strength characteristics of sand and tyre mixtures for suitability of sand
tyre chip mixture for embankment. they concluded that upto20% compressibility of sand-
tyre mixture was 1% i.e. intolerance limit for 10m height of embankment and produced
cohesion between 7-17.5 kPa and also internal frictional angle increased from 38 to 40
degree.

Cabalar (2011) blended GTR with sands from two geologic formations, Leighton
Buzzard Sand (LBS) and Ceyhan Sand (CS). These sands were selected for their
differences in structure and engineering properties. LBS is coarse with sub angular
particles, and CS is fine with angular particles. The rubber particle size was not listed but
the particles were described as “flaky.” Rubber was blended with each type of sand at 5,
10, 20, and 50% by weight. Each blend was subjected to direct shear tests and observed
that the shear stress and internal friction angle of the two mixtures decreased at about 10%
rubber concentration and then leveled off. He concluded that the blends were useful as
lightweight embankment fill on weak foundation soils and retaining wall backfill material
since the sand rubber mixtures were significantly lighter than 100% sand mixtures.

An experimental program was conducted by Shiva Prasad. A et al, (2014) for

stabilization of black cotton soils in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh with the utilization of
rubber waste as soil stabilizer. Different percentages of rubber powder (% by weight

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varying from 0 to 8%) are added to the black cotton soils. A detailed laboratory
investigation was conducted From the Standard Proctor Compaction test, it was observed
that the maximum dry density reduced with the increase in percentage of rubber crumb for
the soil. Waste rubber crumb-soil mixture showed an improvement in UCS up to 10% and
15% for virgin soil and for the soil to which rubber crumb was added respectively. Further
addition of rubber crumb to soils lead to a decrease in UCS values.

Satyam Kumar Gupta, Shubham siddh, Yash Gupta, Syed Daud Ali, Priyank
Kumar, (2017) investigated the possibility of stabilizing the clayey soil found in Kerala
by using rubber crumb powder (passing 75micron sieve). A series of laboratory
experiments were conducted to determine the optimum amount of rubber to be added to the
soil. The result obtained are CBR value increases and hence thickness of pavement
decreases and tyre used as a waste material is at very low cost. Mixes should be acceptable
for smaller height embankment as well as a substitute or addition to a conventional fill
material

Praveen Kumar, Dr. Rajesh Goel, Vishal Yadav (2016) Test was conducted on
two different soils s1 and s2, rubber crumb added to the soil in different proportion.CBR
and shear strength test was conducted on both soils.OMC and MDD decreases with increase
in percentage of rubber crumb whereas the shear strength increases. Waste rubber crumb-
soil mixture showed an improvement in UCS value for both the soils S1 and S2 up to 10%
and 15% addition of rubber crumb respectively. Further the addition of rubber crumb to
soils lead to a decrease in UCS values.

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CHAPTER 3

SOIL STABILISATION

3.1 GENERAL

Stabilisation is the process of blending and mixing materials with a soil to improve
certain properties of the soil. The process may include the blending of soils to achieve a
desired gradation or the mixing of commercially available additives that may alter the
gradation, texture or plasticity, or act as a binder for cementation of the soil. The process
of reducing plasticity and improving the texture of a soil is called soil modification.
Monovalent cations such as sodium and potassium are commonly found in expansive clay
soil and these cations can be exchanged with cations of higher valencies such as calcium
which are found in lime. This ion exchange process takes place almost rapidly, within a
few hours. The calcium cations replace the sodium cations around the clay particles,
decreasing the size of bound water layer, and enable the clay particle to flocculate. The
flocculation creates a reduction in plasticity, an increase in shear strength of clayey soil and
improvement in texture from a cohesive material to a more granular, sand-like soil. The
change in the structure causes a decrease in the moisture sensitivity and increase the
workability and constructability of soil. Soil stabilisation includes the effects from
modification with a significant additional strength

3.1.1 Types of Stabilisation

There are different materials in utilization for the stabilisation of black cotton soils.
Depending on the internal factor which describes the bonding between the soil and the
stabiliser utilized, the methods are broadly classified into two types. They are

• Mechanical Stabilization: The oldest types of soil stabilization are mechanical in

nature. Figure 3.1 shows mechanical stabilization. It involves physically changing the
property i.e. density of the soil. Dynamic compaction is one of the major types of soil
stabilization, in this procedure a heavy weight is dropped repeatedly onto the ground
at regular intervals to quite literally pound out deformities and ensure a uniformly
packed surface. Vibro-compaction is another technique that works on similar
principles, though it relies on vibration rather than deformation through kinetic force
to achieve its goals.

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Fig 3.1 Mechanical Stabilisation

(Source: https://www.google.co.in)

• Chemical Stabilization: It is based on the chemical reaction between the material added
and the minerals in soil. Examples for this type of stabilizers are lime, fly ash,
bituminous materials, cement etc. Figure 3.2 shows chemical stabilization. Chemical
techniques rely on adding an additional material to the soil that will physically interact
with it and change its properties. There are a number of different types of soil
stabilization that rely on chemical additives of one sort or another, frequently
encountered compounds are utilization of cement, lime, fly ash, or kiln dust. Most of
the reactions sought are either cementitious or pozzolanic in nature, depending on the
nature of the soil.

Fig 3.2 Chemical Stabilisation

(Source: Source: https://www.google.co.in)

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• Polymer/Alternative: Most of the newer discoveries and techniques developed there

far are polymer based in nature such as processed polymer fiber or wastage materials
such as polythene bags, plastic bottles, recycled plastic pins. These new polymers and
substances have a number of significant advantages; they are cheaper and more
effective in general than mechanical solutions, and significantly less dangerous for the
environment than many chemical solutions.

3.1.2 Uses of Stabilisation

Pavement design is based on the premise that minimum specified structural quality
will be achieved for each layer of material in the pavement system. Each layer must resist
shearing, avoid excessive deflections that cause fatigue cracking within the layer or in
overlying layers, and prevent excessive permanent deformation through densification. As
the quality of a soil layer is increased, the ability of that layer to distribute the load over a
greater area is generally increased so that a reduction in the required thickness of the soil
and surface layers may be permitted.

• Quality improvement

The most common improvements achieved through stabilisation include better soil
gradation, reduction of plasticity index or swelling potential, and increases in durability
and strength. In wet weather, stabilisation may also be used to provide a working platform
for construction operations. These types of soil quality improvement are referred to as soil
modification.

• Thickness reduction.

The strength and stiffness of a soil layer can be improved through the use of
additives to permit a reduction in design thickness of the stabilised material compared with
an unstabilised or unbound material.

3.1.3 Stabilisation Techniques

• Stabilisation with Portland cement

Portland cement can be used either to modify or improve the quality of the soil into
a cemented mass with increased strength and durability. The amount of cement used will
depend upon whether the soil is to be modified or stabilised. Cement stabilisation is most

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commonly used for stabilising silt, sandy soils with small quantities of silt or clayey
fractions stabilisation of soil with cement has been extensively used in road construction.
Mixing the pulverized soil and compact the mix to attain a strong material does this
stabilisation. The material thus obtained by mixing soil and cement is known as ‘soil
cement’. The soil content becomes a hard and durable structural material as the cement
hydrates and develops strength. The cementing action is believed to be the result of
chemical reaction of cement within the siliceous soil during hydration.

• Stabilisation with bitumen

Stabilisation of soils and aggregates with asphalt differs greatly from cement and
lime stabilisation. The basic mechanism involved in asphalt stabilisation of fine grained
soils is a water proofing phenomenon. Soil particles soil agglomerates are coated with
asphalt that prevents or slows the penetration of water, which could normally result in a
decrease in soil strength. In addition, asphalt stabilisation can improve durability
characteristics by making the soil resistant to the detrimental effects of water such as
volume. In non-cohesive material such as sand and gravel, crushed gravel, and crushed
stone, two basic mechanisms are active: water proofing and adhesion. The asphalt coating
on the cohesion less materials provides a membrane, which prevents or hinders the
penetration of water and thereby reduces the tendency of the material to lose strength in the
presence of water. The second mechanism has been identified as adhesion. The aggregate
particle adheres to the asphalt and the asphalt acts as a binder or cement. The cementing
effect thus increases the shear strength by increasing adhesion. Criteria for design of
bituminous stabilised soils and aggregates are based almost entyrely on stability and
gradation requirements. Freeze-thaw and wet durability test are not applicable for asphalt-
stabilised mixtures.

• Stabilisation with lime-cement and lime-bitumen

The advantages in using combination stabilisers are that one of the stabilisers in the
combination compensates for the lack of effectiveness of the other in treating a particular
aspect or characteristics of a given soil. For instance, in clay areas devoid of base material,
lime have been used jointly with other stabilisers notably Portland cement or asphalt, to
provide acceptable base courses. Since Portland cement or asphalt cannot be mixed
successively with plastic clays, the lime is incorporated into the soil to make it friable,

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thereby permitting the cement or asphalt to be adequately mixed. While such stabilisation
might be costlier than the conventional single stabiliser methods, it may still prove to be
economical in areas where base aggregate costs are high. Two combination stabilisers are
considered in this section.

1. Lime-Cement

Lime can be used as an initial additive with Portland cement or the primary
stabiliser. The main purpose of lime is to improve workability characteristics mainly by
reducing the plasticity of soil. The design approach is to add enough lime to improve
workability and to reduce the plasticity index to acceptable levels. The design lime content
is the minimum that achieves desired results.

2. Lime-Asphalt

Lime can be used as an initial additive with asphalt as the primary stabiliser. The
main purpose of lime is to improve workability characteristics and to act as an anti-stripping
agent. In the latter capacity, the lime acts to neutralize acidic chemicals in the soil or
aggregate, which tend to interfere with bonding of the asphalt. Generally, about 1-2 percent
lime is all that is needed for this objective.

• Stabilisation by geo-textiles and fabrics

Introducing geo-textiles and fabrics that are made of synthetic materials, such as
polyethylene, polyester, and nylon, can stabilize the soil. The geo-textile sheets are
manufactured in different thickness ranging from 10 to 300 mils (1mil=0.254mm). The
width of sheet can be up to 10m. These are available in rolls of length up to about
600m.Geotextiles are permeable. Their permeability is compared to that of fine sand to
course sand and they are strong and durable.

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CHAPTER 4

EFFECT OF RUBBER CRUMB ON SOIL

The industrial revolution made mind blogging changes in the trade and transport
sector. Developing countries like India mainly depend on the transportation sector for their
economical growth. There is a continuous development and growth in the usage of motor
vehicles. The growth and usage of motor vehicles have not only caused noise pollution, air
pollution etc. but also has created problems in discarding the tyres. Rubber does not
decompose and as a result, an economically feasible and environmentally sound disposal
method has to be found out. One of the common and feasible ways to utilize these waste
products is to go for construction of roads, highways and embankments. If these materials
can be suitably utilized in construction of roads, highways and embankments then the
pollution problem caused by the industrial wastes can be greatly reduced. Huge amount of
soil is used in the construction of roads and highways but sufficient amount of soil of
required quality is not available easily. Utilization of various industrial wastes such as
rubber crumb as a soil replacement not only solves environmental problems but also
provides a new resource for
construction industry.

Figure 4.1 Rubber Crumb

(Source: https://www.google.co.in)

Engineering properties of clayey sub grade soils may need to be improved by

adopting some sort of stabilization methods so as to make them suitable for construction.
Stabilization of pavement sub grade soils has traditionally relied on treatment with lime,
cement, or waste materials such as fly ash, slag’s, Silica Fume etc. Many researchers are
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looking for alternative materials for soil stabilization. Studies have been conducted with
the rubber crumb to observe the characteristics of rubber crumb when mixed with soil.
Mixed clay and fly ash samples with used tyre obtained from retarding industry and
hydraulic conductivity tests were conducted using water gasoline as permeates. The
strength of soil tyre chip mixture decreases once the rubber content exceeds 30% in the
mixture because soil tyre chip mixture behaves less like reinforced soil and more like a tyre
chip mass with sand inclusion.

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CHAPTER 5
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

In this chapter, a brief review of various experiments conducted using clay and the
same blended with rubber crumb are explained.
5.1 MATERIALS USED
5.1.1 Clayey Soil
Soil is brought from the proposed site, Kollam. Soil over there is highly plastic clay.
Therefore, the strength of pavement sub grade needs to be ascertained to withstand the
compressive load and bearing strength under traffic. Figure 5.1 shows type of soil used.
Table 5.1 Properties of Clay
SI No Properties Values
1 CBR Value 2.54
2 Dry Density(kg/m3) 1.45
3 OMC (%) 17.5
4 Liquid Limit (%) 32
5 Plastic Limit (%) 60
6 Plasticity Index 28

Fig 5.1 Soil

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5.1.2 Additives
The additives used for stabilization and modification are natural and synthetic
rubber crumb. The soils were mixed with each of these additives for which there were
reasonable expectations of improved engineering properties. The amount of additive used
was determined based on testing the strength for addition of varying percentages and
selecting the one with greatest strength. Firstly test were conducted for both rubber, from
that natural is selected as the better one. Then, the further test were conducted on natural
rubber crumb and are added at varying percentages (5%, 7%, 9%, 11%).

5.2 SOIL PREPARATION

The soil was collected from site in large sacks. It is brought to the lab and is dried
in oven for 24 hours in large pans. This soil, due to loss of water formed big lumps which
is broken to smaller pieces or even fine powder and is sieved according to the needs of
different experiments.

5.3 LAB TESTING

The various tests conducted on the sample are the following:

• Specific Gravity
• Atterberg limits
• Free Swell Index
• Standard proctor test
• Unconfined compression test(UCC)
• California Bearing Ratio Test (CBR)

Firstly, the above tests were conducted on plane clay sample to determine its properties.

5.3.1 Specific Gravity

The specific gravity of solid particles is defined as the ratio of the mass of a given
volume of solids to the mess of an equal volume of water at 4ºC. Specific gravity of normal
soils is between 2.65 to 2.80. Specific gravity of soil mass indicates the average value of
all the solid particles present in the soil mass. Also it is an important parameter used for the
determination of void ratio and particle size. Specific gravity of rubber crumb is also found

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out. Specific gravity is found out using pycnometer. Figure 5.2 shows pycnometer used for
specific gravity test.

Fig 5.2 Pycnometer

5.3.2 Free Swell Index

Two number of 10 gm of dried soil specimens passing through 425 micron IS

sieve is taken. Each soil specimen is poured in each of the two glass graduated cylinders
of 100 ml capacity. Then one cylinder is filled with kerosene oil and other with distilled
water up to 100 ml mark. It is to be stirred with a glass rod to remove entrapped air and
allowed to settle for 24 hours. After completion of 24 hours the final volume of soil in
each of the cylinder is read out. Figure 5.3 shows Soil Samples in Kerosene and Distilled
Water.

𝑉𝑑 −𝑉𝑘
Free swell index = × 100 ………(6.2)
𝑉𝑘

Where

𝑉𝑑 = The volume of soil specimen read from the

graduated cylinder containing distilled water.

𝑉𝑘 = The volume of soil specimen read from the

graduated cylinder containing kerosene.

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Fig 5.3 Soil Samples in Kerosene and Distilled Water

5.3.3 Atterberg Limits

Consistency limits

The consistency of fine grained soil is the physical state in which it exists. It is used
to denote the degree of firmness of soil. The water content at which soil changes from one
state to another is known as consistency limits.

• Liquid limit

A soil containing high water is in the liquid state. It has no shear resistance and can
flow like liquid. Therefore the shear strength is equal to zero. As the water content is
reduced, the soil becomes stiffer and starts developing resistance to shear deformation. The
water content at which soil changes from liquid state to plastic state is known as liquid
limit. The liquid limit is find out by Casagrande’s liquid limit device. The number of blows
of this device is find out at different water content. Flow curve is plot with number of blows
on x axis and water content on y axis. The water content corresponding to 25 blows is the
liquid limit. Figure 5.4 shows Casagrande’s apparatus

• Plastic limit.

Plastic limit is the water content below which the soil stop behaving as a plastic
material. It begins to crumble when rolled into a thread of soil of 3mm diameter. At this

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water content, the soil loses its plasticity and passes to the semi-solid state. The shear
strength at the plastic limit, is about 100 times that at the liquid limit.

Fig 5.4 Casagrande’s Apparatus

(Source: http//indiamart.in)

5.3.4 Standard Proctor Test

Compaction is the densification of soil by reduction of air voids. The purpose of a

laboratory compaction test is to determine, the quantity of water to be added for field
compaction of soil and resultant density expected. When water is added to dry fine grained
soil, the soil absorbs water. Addition of more water helps in sliding of particles over each
other. This assists the process of compaction. Up to a certain point, additional water helps
in reduction of air voids, but after a relatively high degree of saturation is reached, the water
occupies the space, which could be filled with soil particles, and the amount of entrapped
air remains essentially constant. Therefore, there is an optimum amount of water for a
given soil and compaction process, which give rise to maximum dry density. Compaction
of clay, clay lime rubber crumb were carried out using standard proctor compaction with
25 blows on three layers.

Samples for conducting compaction tests were prepared using moulds of

dimensions 10 cm diameter and 15 cm height. Figure 6.8 shows mould and rammer. In this
study. Also, rubber crumb are added for varying percentages (5%, 7%, 9%, 11%). The

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values of optimum moisture content and maximum dry density are obtained in a plot of
dry density versus moisture content. Figure 5.5 shows Standard Proctor Test Apparatus

Fig 5.5 Mould and Rammer

Fig 5.6 Standard Proctor Test Apparatus

(Source: www.yourarticlelibrary.com)

5.3.5 Unconfined compression test

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This test is conducted on remoulded cohesive soils that are normally saturated.
This test may be considered as a special case of triaxial compression test when the
confining pressure is zero and the axial compressive stress only is applied to the cylindrical
specimen. The stress may be applied and the deformation and load readings are noted until
the specimen fails.

The area of cross section of specimen for various strains may be corrected assuming that
the volume of the specimen remains constant and it remains cylindrical.

The following equations were used:

Axial strain (ε) = ∆L⁄Lo ............ (6.3)

Where

L0 =initial length of sample (cm)

A= Corrected area of cross section

A0
𝐴= ………………………………………… (6.4)
1−ε

Where

A0= initial area of cross section of the sample (cm2)

𝑞𝑢 = Axial stress

𝑞𝑢 = 𝑃⁄𝐴 ……………………………………… (6.5)

Where

P = axial load (kg)

Graphs are plotted between axial strain (ε) Vs axial stress (qu). The maximum value
of axial stress is the unconfined compressive strength of soil sample. Samples for
conducting unconfined compression test were prepared using moulds of dimensions 3.8 cm
diameter, 7.6 cm height. Figure 5.7 shows the UCC Strength Testing Machine. Soil sample
without additives were tested using optimum moisture content and maximum dry density
which was obtained from standard proctor test of virgin soil. In this study rubber crumb
were added in 5%, 7%, 9%, 11% using corresponding optimum moisture content and

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maximum dry density from standard proctor test. The stress is applied and the deformation
and load readings are noted until the specimen fails. The maximum axial strain is noted.
Figure 5.8 shows failure pattern of soil sample.

Fig 5.7 UCC Strength Testing Machine

Fig 5.8 Failure Pattern of Soil Sample

5.3.6 California Bearing Ratio Test

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California state highway department developed the California bearing ratio test,
(CBR) test in 1938 for evaluating soil subgrade and base course materials for flexible
pavements. Just after World War 2, the U.S corps of Engineers adopted the CBR test for
use in designing base courses for airfield pavements. California bearing ratio (CBR) is the
ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with a standard circular piston
at the rate of 1.25 mm/min to that required for corresponding penetration in the standard
material. Load that has been obtained from the test in crushed stone (Standard material) is
called standard load. Figure 5.9 shows the CBR Testing Machine. The standard material is
said to have a CBR value of 100%. Smooth curves are plotted between penetration (mm)
Vs load (kg). The curve in most cases is concave upwards in the initial portions. A
correction is applied by drawing a tangent to the curve at the point of greatest slope from
the corrected load penetration graph obtained the loads at 2.5mm and 5mm penetration.
The standard loads for these penetrations can be taken from the table 5.2 below:

Table 5.2 Standard loads for CBR test

Penetration (mm) Standard Load (Kg) Unit Load (kg/cm2)

2.5 1370 70
5 2055 105
7.5 2630 134
10 3180 162
12.5 3600 183

CBR value= (Test load/Standard load) *100..………… (6.6)

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Fig 5.9 CBR Testing Machine

Fig 5.10 CBR Specimen under Soaked Condition

Since the soil sample is collected from a waterlogged area, we perform the CBR
test in soaked condition, so as to simulate the worst conditions in the field, and to achieve
this condition the soil specimen is kept submerged in water for about 4 days before testing.
CBR after soaking of the compacted soil is the relevant index of the strength and stiffness
of highly or fully saturated soil usually referred to in the design of soil structures that would
be submerged by flood or impounding or would become wet by heavy or prolonged
rainfalls.

Figure 5.10 shows CBR Specimen under soaked condition. Samples for conducting
CBR tests were prepared using mould of dimensions 15cm diameter and 17.5cm height.
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The weight of soil used is 5 kg passing through 20mm sieve. The samples were prepared
at OMC and varying lime and rubber crumb. In this study, rubber crumb at (5%, 7%, 9%,
11%) were varyingly added.

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CHAPTER 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The following chapter covers the result of the testing programmes. The results that
are presented include soil properties admixture percentages and the various testing results
for the soil additive combinations.

The native soil properties and admixture percentages. Soil characteristics were
determined using Atterberg limits, specific gravity standard proctor compaction, UCC and
CBR.

6.1 SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Weight of pycnometer (W1) = 0.645Kg

Weight of pycnometer +soil (W2) = 0.7733Kg

Weight of pycnometer + soil+ water (W3) =1.562Kg

Weight of pycnometer + water (W4) =1.482

(𝑊2 −𝑊1 )
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝐺 = (𝑊2−𝑊1 )−(𝑊3 −𝑊4 )
……………… (7.1)

The value of specific gravity was obtained as 2.67

6.2 FREE SWELL INDEX

𝑉𝑑 −𝑉𝑘
Free swell index = × 100 ………………..(7.2)
𝑉𝑘

Where, Vd = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated

cylinder containing distilled water.

= 17 g

Vk = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated

cylinder containing kerosene.

= 13 g

Free swell index was obtained as 27%

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6.3 ATTERBERG LIMITS

• Liquid limit
Weight of soil sample = 120 gm

Table 6.1 Water Content Corresponding to Number of Blows of Virgin Soil

Water content (%) No of blows

20 35

22 33

24 25

26 18

28 12

Figure 6.1 was drawn from table 6.1.

30

25
Water content (%)

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40
No. of blows (log scale)

Fig 6.1 Flow Curve

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From figure 6.1, the liquid limit was found out. The water content corresponding to 25
blows gives the liquid limit. The value was obtained as 32%

• Plastic limit

Table 6.2 Plastic Limit of Virgin Soil

Weight of empty container

(W1) gm 55 55

Weight of container + wet soil

(W2) gm 57 58

Weight of container +dry soil

(W3 ) gm 71 69

Plastic limit {(W2-W3)(W3-

W1)}*100 60 60

From table6.2, the value of plastic limit was obtained as 60%

Plasticity index = 28%

Table 6.3 Classification of Soil Based on Free Swell Index

Free swell Degree of Liquid limit Plastic limit Shrinkage

index expansiveness limit

< 20 Low 0.5 0 -35% >17%

20-35 Moderate 40-60% 25 -50% 8- 18%

35-50 High 50-75% 35-65% 6-12%

>50 Very high >60% >45% < 10%

(Source: www.engineeringcivil.com, IS 2720 Part 40-1970)

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From table 6.3we can conclude that the soil sample which we have taken is
moderately expansive since the value of free swell index lies between 20-35% and liquid
limit 32%, plastic limit 60%.

6.4 STANDARD PROCTOR TEST

The Standard Proctor tests were carried out to study the variation in the maximum
dry density and optimum moisture content in the virgin soil. The dry density increases with
increase in water content up to the point of optimum moisture content beyond which
increase in water content reduces the dry density. The standard proctor test results show
that the maximum dry density decreases with increase in addition of percentage by weight
of rubber crumb whereas optimum moisture content is obtained as 17.5. This value is taken
for further calculation of weight of soil required for carrying out UCC and CBR. The value
of MDD for the virgin soil is obtained as 1.45.

6.5 UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST

The maximum dry density and optimum moisture content values obtained for virgin
soil was taken for the calculation of weight of soil required for the test and the amount of
water required for samples added with varying percentage by weight of rubber crumb
respectively. Unconfined Compressive Strength tests were carried out to find the variation
in the strength characteristics of the soil stabilized with rubber crumb.

When rubber crumb was added to the soil, the strength of the soil increased initially.
Test was conducted for both 5% of natural and synthetic rubber crumb added to the virgin
soil, from that natural rubber soil shows the better result. Fig.6.2 shows the result. Further
test was conducted with varying percentages of natural rubber crumb. The increase in
rubber crumb beyond an optimum percentage (7%) in soil caused a decrease in strength.
This is evident from the variation shown in figure 6.3. Figure 6.4 shows variation of UCC
values of soil blended with varying percentage natural rubber crumb.

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2.5
STRESS(kN/m2 )
2

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6

STRAIN

5%natural 5%synthetic

Fig 6.2 Variation of Stress- Strain Graph of Soil Blended with 5 Percentage of natural and
synthetic rubber crumb

2.5
STRESS(kN/M^2)

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
STRAIN
11% 9% 7% 5%

Fig 6.3 Variation of Stress- Strain Graph of Soil Blended with varying Percentage of
natural rubber crumb
This decrease may be caused by action of rubber crumb as a cushion in the soil and
not providing enough water molecules to hold the soil particles together, since the
additional water molecules will stick on the surface of the stabilizers. Table 6.4 shows UCC
values for soil blended with varying percentages of rubber crumb. The maximum value of
UCC was obtained as 145kN/m² at 7 percentage by weight of rubber crumb.

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Table 6.4 UCC Values for Soil Blended with Varying Percentages of Rubber Crumb

Virgin Soil Virgin Soil Virgin Soil Virgin Soil

Soil Sample Virgin +5%Rubber +7%Rubber +9%Rubber +11%Rubb
Soil Crumb Crumb Crumb er Crumb

Unconfined
Compressive 100.5 130 145 103
106
Strength(kN/m2)

Variation of UCC for varying percentage of

Rubber Crumb
Unconfined Compressive strength(kN/m2)

160
145
140 130

120 106
100.5 103
100

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 7 9 11

Varying % of Rubber Crumb

Fig 6.4 Variation of UCC Value of Soil Blended with Varying Percentage of Rubber
Crumb

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6.7 CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST

CBR studies were carried out to find the variation in the strength characteristics of
the soil stabilized with natural rubber crumb. The increase in CBR value of the soil is due
to the densification achieved by the filling of voids in soils with the lime rubber crumb
powder. When the stabilizer content is increased beyond the optimum percentage (7%)
there is a decrease in CBR value. Fig.6.5 shows the variation in CBR value for natural and
synthetic rubber. Natural rubber showed better result and hence further calculations were
done using natural rubber. Fig 6.6 shows variation of load penetration curve for soil blended
with varying percentage of natural rubber crumb. This decrease may be caused by the
adsorption of water by rubber crumb thus acting as a cushion in the soil and not providing
enough water molecules to hold the soil particles together. Since, the maximum CBR value
is obtained at 5mm penetration for all percentage of rubber crumb. A maximum CBR value
of 8.46 was obtained at 7% of stabilizer beyond which there is a decrease of CBR value.
The soil should be moulded at the field moisture content and soaked for four days before
testing. Table 6.5 shows variation of CBR values for soil blended with varying percentage
of rubber crumb. Fig 6.7 shows the variation of CBR value of soil blended with varying
percentage of natural rubber crumb.

CB R L O AD PE NE T RAT IO N CURVE FO R
5% NAT URAL AND S YNT H E T IC RUB B E R
140 CRUMB
120

100
LOAD(kg)

80

60

40

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PENETRATION(mm)

5%natural 5%synthetic

Fig 6.5 Variation of CBR load penetration value of Soil Blended with 5 Percentage of
natural and synthetic rubber crumb

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CBR LOAD PENETRATION CURVE FOR VARYING

1200 PERCENTAGE OF NATURAL RUBBER CRUMB
1000

800
LOAD(kg)

600

400

200

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PENETRATION(mm)
7% 11% 9% 5% virgin soil

Fig 6.6 Variation of Load Penetration Curve for Soil Blended with Varying Percentage of
natural Rubber Crumb

Table 6.5 Test Results of Soil Sample Incorporated with Varying Percentage of
Rubber Crumb

Virgin Soil Virgin Soil Virgin Soil Virgin Soil

Soil Virgin Soil +5%natural +7%natural +9%natural +11%natur

al
Sample Rubber Rubber Rubber
crumb crumb crumb Rubber
crumb

CBR 2.45 7.33 8.46 2.8 2.5

Value

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Variation of CBR value with varying percentage of

Rubber Crumb
9 8.46
8 7.33
CBR Value
7
6
5
4
2.8 2.5
3 2.45
2
1
0
0 5 7 9 11
Varying % of Rubber Crumb

Fig 6.7 Variation of CBR Value of Soil Blended with Varying Percentage of Rubber
Crumb

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CHAPTER 7

CONCLUSION

Experimental investigations were done so as to bring out the behaviour of clay blended
with rubber crumb powder gave a good result.

• Addition of rubber crumb powder in higher percentages showed an overall decrease

in maximum dry density and optimum moisture content.
• The value obtained for MDD and OMC were 1.45 kg/m3 and 17.5% respectively.
• The Unconfined compressive strength of soil on addition of optimum rubber crumb
powder (7% of weight of soil) increased from 100.5 kN/m2 to 145 kN/m2
• In California bearing ratio test (soaked condition), the addition of rubber crumb
powder resulted an improvement in CBR value. The maximum CBR obtained was
8.46 which is 3.45 times better CBR value when compared to virgin soil. The
maximum CBR value was obtained on the addition of CRP to 7% of weight of soil.
• Free swell index was found out and it was concluded to be moderately expansive
soil.

From the obtained results of various test conducted on the soil, it is concluded that the
best result was obtained on the addition of 7% rubber crumb powder by dry weight of
soil. Hence we can conclude that the properties of clayey soil can be effectively
improved by using rubber crumb powder as a stabilizer.

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CHAPTER 8

FUTURE SCOPE OF THE WORK

Further testing and experiments can be done on soil stabilisation using rubber crumb,
as it is highly recommended to indicate split tensile strength of this type of material for
application in normal constructions. Discarded rubber of ranges 600 microns, varying
from 0 to 15% was used in investigations.

Some recommendations made for further studies are:

1. The incorporation of cemented clayey soil can overcome its brittleness in

compression and tension.
2. The interaction between rubber crumb particles and asphalt binder leads to
various improved properties and performance of asphalt mixture.
3. Tire chips can be used in the retaining wall backfill which could substantially
reduce the earthquake-induced permanent displacement of structures.
4. The bearing capacity of footing when reinforced with tire chips gives better
results.
5. Crumb rubber mixed with bitumen can be used in tarring purposes for resisting
the deformation of pavement at elevated temperature.

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REFERENCES

[1] K.V. Madurwar, P.P. Dahale, & A.N.Burile (2013), Comparative Study of Black
Cotton Soil Stabilization with RBI Grade 81 and Sodium Silicate. International
Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, Volume
2, Issue 2.

[2] K.A.Nadgouda,&R.A.Hegde (2010), Effect of Lime Stabilization on Properties

of Black Cotton Soil. Indian Geotechnical Conference – GEOtrendz, page no 16–
18.

[3] Purushotham G. Sarvade & Prashant R Sheth (2012), Geotechnical Properties

of Problem Clay Stabilized with Rubber crumb Powder. Bonfring International
Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management Science, Volume 2,
page no 4.

[4] Shiva Prasad A, P.T Ravichandran, R Annadurai, & P.R Kannan Rajkumar
(2014), Study on Effect of Rubber crumb on Behavior of Soil. International journal
of geomatics and geosciences, Volume 4, page no 3.

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