International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319-7064

Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391

Strength Characteristics of Expansive Soils Using

Epoxy resin and Silty Soil
M Bharath Kumar1, Dr T Kiran Kumar2
1
Post Graduate Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, KSRM College of Engineering (Autonomous), Thadigotla, Kadapa, India

2
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, KSRM College of Engineering(Autonomous),Thadigotla, Kadapa, India

Abstract: Improving the properties of soil by stabilization is considered as a means of fulfilling design criteria. Stabilization is usually
performed to improve material properties of soil such as strength and stiffness. The use of new materials for soil strengthening is
crucial for geotechnical engineering, especially in foundation construction. Experiments were conducted using resins with different
epoxy resin polymer-to-water (ER/W) ratios. The results show that by increasing the Epoxy resin polymer in the black cotton soil is
increasing its shear strength. The Epoxy resin and hardener in 1:0.1 ratio was used .In this study deal with the obtaining the
unconfined compressive strength values and Tri axial test values by fixing 5% Epoxy resin polymer and % varying of Silt
Content(10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%). The results indicate that the epoxy resins improve the mechanical properties of soil
significantly, and the Silt Content is increasing the shear strength and angle of internal friction, cohesion changes significantly, if
successfully grouted into a formation, the resins could provide a suitable solution for the stabilization of foundation material.

Keywords: Soil, Epoxy Resin Polymer, Silty Soil, Shear Strength

1. Introduction cementing additive or waterproofing agent, or by injecting a

substance to fill the pore volume. There are several
Increase in population over the last decades has increased the techniques for stabilization, and the selection of an
demand for housing and infrastructure facilities this in turn appropriate technique depends on the nature of soil and
increased the need for habitable land. large areas of kerala environmental sensitivity.
are covered with weak soils having poor shear strength and
high compressibility. The construction of civil engineering Adding resin may enhance the soil-cement mechanical
structures on such weak soils is dangerous as they are highly properties. In particular, epoxy resins are one of the principal
succeptible to differential settlements .A number of failures resins used for grouting. They generally consist of two
of engineering structures have been reported in areas covered components. The epoxy component (a-component) is mixed
with weak soil and therefore prior to construction with an amine component (b-component) to obtain the epoxy
improvement of the soil properties by adopting suitable resin. The final product is strong bond, high durability, high
ground improvement techniques impervative in such areas. resistance to acids, alkalies, and organic chemicals, and low
Soil stabilisation refers to the process of changing the soil shrinkage when cured. In addition, some epoxies may be
properties so as to improve its engineering properties thus diluted with water up to twice their volume to provide a low-
making it more stable .soils are generally stabilized to cost product, but their strength consequently de-creases. This
increase their strength and durability or to prevent erosion reduction of strength is proportional to the amount of water
and dust formation in soils..Under this method of soil added to the epoxy. Although, numerous studies have been
stabilisation of different manufactured materials are added conducted concerning the application of epoxy compounds
into the soil which in proper quantities enhances the quality for structural repair or in fractured concrete.
of soil. Under chemical reactions are induced by adding
stabilizers. 2. Literature Review
Improving the properties of soil by stabilization is considered Gopal (1983) studied on use of a few natural resins as dune
as a means of fulfilling design criteria. Stabilization is usually sand stabilizer. Guar-gum - a product of Rajasthan desert,
per-formed to improve material properties of soil such as Terminalia alatatannins and rosin have proved promising for
strength, stiffness, and permeability. There are two major short-term and emergency use in field. Effect of compaction
forms of stabilization: chemical and mechanical stabilization. on strength has also been studied in order to optimize the
There are also some instances where a combination of thickness of stabilized surfaces required for construction of
mechanical reinforcement of a chemically stabilized soil is roads arid helipads in sandy areas. Effect of temperature and
used to improve properties such as strength and stiffness or to bacteria on stabilized specimens has also been discussed.
accelerate the treatment of the soil.
Levacic, (2006) determined the properties of a soil sample
Chemical stabilizers are divided into two groups: traditional which mixed with urea formaldehyde resin. Several samples
stabilizers such as lime, cement, and fly ash, andnon of soil and resin mixed in different ratios were prepared.
traditional stabilizers such as resin and enzymes. The Investigations of different parameters showed the resin
stabilization or improvement is usually affected by significantly improves geomechanical soil properties. As a
controlling the void ratio of the soil by introducing a result the urea formaldehyde resin applied in the tests can be
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Paper ID: ART20176396 1828
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
used for stabilization. polyamide hardener

Seyedaboolhasan (2010) studied the stabilization of silts 3. Silt Soil

sand soil with epoxy resin and the effect of wet and dry Silt is granular material of a size between sand and clay,
conditions on strength of stabilised silty sands. specimens whose mineral origin is quartz and feldspar. Silt may occur as
were prepared by adding different amount of epoxy resin a soil (often mixed with sand or clay) or as sediment mixed in
polymer to silty sand with 0,10,20,30,35,40,45,60% silt suspension with water (also known as a suspended load)
content at dry density of 17 kn/m^3.The resuts of study and soil in a body of water such as a river. Silt is easily
indicated the addition of epoxy resin improves significantly transported in water or other liquid and is fine enough to be
the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of carried long distances by air in the form of dust. Thick
samples under dry condition. This improvement depends on deposits of silty material resulting from deposition by aeolian
the content of polymer and silt. processes are often called loess. Silt and clay contribute
to turbidity in water.
Anagnostopoulos (2012) studied experiments were
conducted using resins with different epoxy resin-to-water Table 1: Properties of Expansive Soil
(ER/W) ratios. The results indicate that the epoxy resins S. No Properties Expansive soil
improve the physical and mechanical properties of sand 1 Specific Gravity 2.42
significantly, and if successfully grouted into a formation, the 2 Free Swell Index 76
resins could provide a suitable solution for the stabilization 3 Liquid Limit 65
of foundation material. Based on the experimental results, a 4 Plastic Limit 30
nonlinear regression analysis was performed to correlate the 5 Plasticity Index 35
6 Standard Proctor Compaction OMC-28.69%
mechanical properties and permeability with curing time and
ER/W ratio. The unconfined compressive strength, tensile MDD- 1.38g/cc
7 Unconfined Compressive Strength 0.5595kg/cm2
strength, point load strength, and elastic modulus
development of the fine sand/resin mix depend directly on
the water content of the epoxy resin solution. Mixes with an 5. Experimental Work
ER/W ratio of 2.0 and 1.5 results in high strength and low
permeability. In the present study optimum moisture content and maximum
dry density of soil mixed with epoxy resin of varying
percentages such as 1%,2%,3%,4%,5% and 6% was
3. Objectives
determined by conducting Indian standard light compaction
test as per IS 2720 part 7 (1980). The optimum dosage was
The main objective of this study is to improve the
determined by conducting unconfined compressive strength
engineering properties of soil by adding resins .
test as per IS 2720 PART 1 (1991).
 To investigate the effects of resin on optimum content of
clay
The optimum dosage was 5% Epoxy resin fixing to
 To predict the engineering behavior of soil with varying
determine the Shear strength and angle of internal friction,
percentage of resins (1%,2%,3%,4%,5% and 6%).
Cohesion of soil by adding of Silty Soil With percentage of
 Finding the Maximum Shear Strength of the soil by adding 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%.
epoxy resin.
 Evaluate the Shear strength of the soil by using Silty Soil
with 5% Epoxy resin polymer.
6. Results & Discussion
Results of experimental tests show that the strength values of
4. Materials and Methodology the Epoxy resin polymer treated soils mainly depend on
Three factors: (1) type of soil, (2) Moisture content)(3)
Following are the materials which are used in the present Epoxy resin polymer content.
study:  Standard compaction test for the Black cotton soil was
conducted, it was observed that optimum moisture content
1. Expansive Soil was 28.69% and maximum dry density was found to be
The soil sample was locally collected from near Vinayaka 1.38gm/cc.
nagar at Aalam Khan Palli, kadapa district. The sample was
 It is observed that the Optimum moisture content decrease
extracted by 100 cm deep. The soil lumps were broken into
with increasing Epoxy resin polymer content in the soil-
small pieces and screened through 4.75 mm size sieve to
Epoxy resin mixture. Then Maximum Dry Density (MDD)
make it free from roots, pebbles, gravel etc. The following
increase with increasing Epoxy resin polymer content in
table shows the various soil properties obtained:
the soil-Epoxy resin polymer mixture. Maximum Dry
Density (MDD) was found to change with varying content
2. Epoxy Resin
of Epoxy resin polymer, then highest value observed being
A commercial product of Epoxy Resin (bisphenol A) and a
at Epoxy resin polymer content of 5% by weight.
polyamide hardener was used in this research. A multi
 The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) of the soil
component resin grout that usually provides very high,
with variation of Epoxy resin polymer content showed. the
tensile, compression and bond strengths. The additive
mixture was composed of a 1:0.10 of epoxy resin to
Volume 6 Issue 8, August 2017
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Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20176396 1829
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
fact that the peak value was observed for a Epoxy resin
polymer content of 5% by weight

Figure 1: Unconfined Compressive Strength for Expansive Figure 2: Shear strength of soil with Epoxy resin and Silty
Soil & ER soil
Table 2: SP for ER & Different % Of Silty Soil 1day Curing
The above fig. shows that 5%of Epoxy resin and 40%of Silty
Shear 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy
parameters +10% +20% +30% +40% +50%
Soil gives a maximum Shear Strength in 7th day curing
Silt Silt Silt Silt Silt
Content Content Content Content Content
Cohesion 0.02 0.12 0.36 0.42 0.34
kg/cm²
Angle of 13º 9º 6º 4º 6º
internal
friction
Shear 0.323 0.382 0.468 0.506 0.445
Strength
kg/cm²

Table 3: SP for ER & Different % Of Silty Soil 3day Curing

Shear 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy
parameters +10% Silt +20% Silt +30% Silt +40% Silt +50% Silt
Content Content Content Content Content Figure 3: Cohesion of soil with Epoxy and Silty Soil
Cohesion 0.04 0.24 0.5 0.64 0.48
kg/cm² The above Fig. shows that the maximum Cohesion value
Angle of 11º 7º 3º 0º 3º obtained at 5%epoxy resin and 40% Silty Soil.
internal
friction
Shear 0.356 0.428 0.560 0.640 0.540
Strength
kg/cm²

Table 4: SP For 5%Of ER & Different % Of Silty Soil 7day

Curing
Shear 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy 5% epoxy
parameter +10% Silt +20% Silt +30% Silt +40% Silt +50% Silt
Content Content Content Content Content
Cohesion
kg/cm² 0.08 0.28 0.46 0.76 0.44
Angle of
internal 10º 8º 5º 3º 3º Figure 4: Angle of internal Friction with Epoxy and Silty
friction
Soil
Shear
Strength 0.3962 0.5620 0.6921 0.8470 0.5069
kg/cm² The above Fig. shows that the angle of internal friction is
decreasing with increasing of Silty Soil this research
The above Tables are shows days of curing and variation in recommended 5% of Epoxy and 40% of Silty Soil
shear parameters like shear strength, angle of internal friction
and cohesion of the soil with adding of constant epoxy resin 7. Conclusions
and various percentages of silt soil. The below fig. shows that
days of curing and variation in shear parameters like shear The addition of varying percentages of resins to Expansive
strength, angle of internal friction and cohesion of the soil Soil caused The UCS value increases when compared to the
with adding of constant epoxy resin and various percentages original soil after adding different percentage of resin.
of silt soil.
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Paper ID: ART20176396 1830
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
The Epoxy Resin polymer is taking as 5% and adding
different percentage of Silty Soil 10%,20%,30%,40% and
50% .

The Research recommended that 5% of Epoxy resin is

suitable for improving Shear Strength.

The Research recommended that 5% of Epoxy resin and 40%

of Silty Soil is improving the Cohesion of soil and Shear
Strength of soil, and decreasing the Angle of internal
Friction.

References
[1] Guyhpayne(1966),”The effect of epoxy resins on the
durability and unconfined compressive strength of an A-
1B soil”(1966)Masters theses .paper 5519
[2] Germishuizen (2002),”A labortary study of soil
stabilisation with a urea formaldehyde resin ,”journal of
the south African institute of civil engineering
,44(1)paper 471 pg 9-12
[3] Seyedabolhassan (2010),”Effect of wet and Dry
conditions on strength of silty sand soils stabilised with
epoxy resin polymer,”journalof applied
sciences10(22):2839-2846
[4] Anagnostopoulos,C.A(2012),”Experimental investigation
of epoxy resin and sand mixes,”journal of geotechnical
and geoenvironmental engineering.,vol 138
[5] Suhaaksoy(2013),”Effect of natural resin on strength
parameters of sandy soil,”international journal
oenvironmental science and development .,vol. 4,No 294

Author Profile
Dr. T. Kiran Kumar is presently working as a
Associate Professor in the Department of Civil
Engineering at KSRM College of Engineering
(Autonomous), Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. He received
his PhD in Water Resource Engineering from JNTUA,
Ananthapur. His areas of interested in Watershed Management,
Water Resources Management.

M. Bharath Kumar is currently pursuing her M.Tech

in Geotechnical Engineering from KSRM College of
Engineering (Autonomous), Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.
he has completed B.Tech in Civil Engineering in
KORM College Engineering. His interest areas are
Soil Mechanics

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