SUB-GRADE CHARACTERIZATION OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE SOIL BLENDED WITH SAND, FLY ASH AND MARBLE DUST

PRASAD C.R.V.¹, SHARMA R.K.^2
1Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur- 177 001, HP, India.
²Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur- 177 001, HP, India.

Received : 27-11-2013     Accepted : 10-07-2014     Published : 31-07-2014
Volume : 3     Issue : 1       Pages : 39 - 45
World Res J Civ Eng 3.1 (2014):39-45

Keywords : Locally available clay, sand, fly ash, marble dust, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio
Conflict of Interest : None declared

This paper brings out the results of laboratory investigation carried out to evaluate effectiveness of using fly ash along with sand and marble dust for soil stabilization by studying the compaction and strength characteristics for use as sub-grade material. The influence of different mix proportions of locally available clay, sand, fly ash and marble dust on compaction, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio (CBR) values has been studied. Addition of sand to locally available soil increases the maximum dry density, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio and decreases the optimum moisture content (OMC). Further, addition of fly ash decreases the maximum dry density and unconfined compressive strength while increases the optimum moisture content and CBR value. The results show that addition of marble dust to the locally available soil: sand: fly ash mix increases the maximum dry density, unconfined compressive strength and CBR but there is no significant change in the optimum moisture content. The mix containing locally available, sand, fly ash and marble dust (70: 30: 10: 6) has better sub-grade characteristics and can be used effectively for construction of sub-grades and embankments of low cost roads.