EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND INVESTIGATION

OF
PROBLEMATIC SOIL BY USING GEO-JUTE AS
A SOIL STEBILIZER

Submitted by
G.PRASHANTH YADAV - 19671A0151
J.VINAY - 19671A0153
K. VEDAVYAS - 19671A0156
M.SHIVA KUMAR - 19671A0160
M. MUKESH - 20675A0162
In partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering
Under guidance of
PRASHANTH HUGAR
ASSISTANT PROFFESSOR,CVIL DEPARTMENT

JB INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

[Autonomous]
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi and Accredited
by NAACAffiliated to JNTU
Hyderabad,
Bhaskar Nagar, Moinabad Mandal,
Hyderabad- 500075
DECEMBER2022
 CONTENT

S.NO TOPIC PAGE

NUMBER
1. INTRODUCTION 1-3
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 4-6
3. TEST METHODOLOGY 7-8
4. REFERENCE 9
 1.INTRODUCTION

1.1 General
Black Cotton Soil is a cohesive soil. It is considered difficult or problematic soil for
civil engineers. It possesses the characteristics of swelling during the rainy and
shrinking during summer. In both situations, it poses difficulties. Swelling caused in
Black Cotton Soil during the rainy season, the structure has uplift pressure and
generates heave in the foundations, plinth beams, ground floors of the buildings and
canals, roads surfaces, etc and on shrinkage in the summer season, cracks created in
walls, slabs, plinth protection, floors, etc.
⚫ In the rainy season, Black cotton soil swells due to a higher percentage of clay. It
swells during the rainy season and cracks in summer due to shrinkage.
⚫ The Black Cotton soils are highly compressible and have extremely low bearing
capacity. The soils have great shrinkage and swelling characteristics. The shear
strength of the soils is incredibly low. Black Cotton soil is also known as
Expansive soil.
⚫ A large part of central India and a part of South India covering Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, South Gujarat, and Utter Pradesh is
covered with Black Cotton Soils. The covering is approximately 3,00,000 sq. km.
These soils have been created from basalt or trap-rocks. These soils are very
favorable for growing cotton.
⚫ The soils are highly compressible and have extremely low bearing capacity. It is
greatly tough to work with such soils.
⚫ Lightly loaded structures are greatly susceptible to defect as a result of the volume
changes in the soil. Under-reamed piles are considered largely suitable as
foundations for buildings or houses and different light structures. These piles are
carried to depths below the zone of seasonal deviation in water content.
⚫ Particular construction technology has been acquired traditionally in most of the
places where such type of soil is found, yet, cracks are identified in several
structures as sufficient precautions are not carried out during the construction and
maintenance period of the buildings.

Black Cotton Soil Properties :

The following are the properties of black cotton soil,Black Cotton soils are black in
the colour and also recognized as regular soil. These are prepared up of lava
discharges.It is suitable for the cultivation of cotton and is also known as black
soil.This soil is formed of incredibly fine clayey material and is well-known for its
moisture-holding capacity.They formulate deep cracks during the hot climate which
enables the adequate aeration of the soil.These soils are sticky when moist and tough
to work on.They enclose the plateau of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, MP, and
Chhattisgarh and extended in the southeast direction along with the Godavari and the
Krishna valley.It is supposed that climatic conditions along with the parent rock
substance are the significant factors for the formation of black cotton soil.
Types Of Black Cotton Soil
Based on thickness black cotton soil is divided into three types:-

1
1. Shallow Black Cotton Soil
2. Medium Black Cotton Soil
3. Deep Black Cotton Soil

Shallow Black Cotton Soil

This type of soil forms with a thickness of less than 30 cm. It stands in Satpura hills
(Madhya Pradesh), Bhandara, Nagpur and Satara (Maharashtra), Bijapur, and
Gulbarga areas (Karnataka). This type of soil is desirable for the cultivation of jowar,
rice, wheat, gram, and cotton.

Medium Black Cotton Soil

Its thickness ranges between 30 cm and 100 cm. It encloses a bigger area in
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

Deep Black Cotton Soil

Thickness is greater than 1 meter. It encloses huge areas in the lowland zones of
Peninsular India. The clay volume ranges between 40 % to 60 %. Its reaction is
alkaline. The soil is fertile and desirable for crops of cotton, sugarcane, rice, citrus
fruits, vegetables, etc.

Advantages Of Black Cotton Soil

⚫ As Black Cotton Soil is relatively fertile in nature, they are extremely useful in
cultivation.
⚫ They are resistant to wind and moisture as they possess an iron-rich granular
structure.
⚫ Black soil is great moisture-retentive, so it can help in rain-fed agriculture.
⚫ The cracks created by black soil can be utilized as a passage for rainwater. ⚫ It
has a great bearing capacity in an arid state

Disadvantages Of Black Cotton Soil

⚫ Black Cotton Soil loses its bearing capacity when it receives moisture.
⚫ Expected to its swelling and drying nature, it is extremely difficult to manage the
soil.
⚫ The building is created on this soil is not safe as the rise in its volume expands
from 20% to 30% of the actual volume and this affects cracks in the foundation.
⚫ Increased stabilization should be achieved for any constructions it has different
characteristics.

Why Black Cotton Soil Is Not Convenient For Foundation?

As per the description, the Black Cotton Soil contains swell and shrink properties.
Due to shrinkage and swelling, a difference in the volume of soil occurs which
formulates cracks in the foundation or the building structural system.
The cracks are reducing the durability and strength of the structure. And greatly the
cases of failure of structure occur due to cracks.

2
Similarly, the load-bearing capacity of black cotton soil is extremely less which is
affecting several types of foundation failure like punching failure, general shear
failure, etc.

Replacement Of Black Cotton Soil

This is the easiest technique in which Black Cotton Soil is replaced with some
different suitable soil like a combination of moored and sand with cohesive soil to
prevent shrinkage characteristics or water-bound macadam mix and compacted at
Optimum Moisture Content.

It is always asked up to what depth, black cotton soil should be replaced? The answer
to this question is to replace all the black cotton soil up to whatever depth it exists.
However, there are two problems with this answer, one, whether it is economically
possible and two, whether it is technically needed.

Black cotton soil possesses swelling and shrinkage characteristics up to a specific

depth called an active zone. The soil of this region just swells and shrinks.

3
 \
2.LITERATURE REVIEW
To stabilize the black cotton soil, many researchers have worked on black cotton soil
using variety of materials. different types of admixtures, waste material, etc. have
been used formerly by many researchers for carrying out investigation work for
stabilizing black cotton soil. Any comprehensive literature on this subject, i.e. related
to the stabilization of Black cotton soil, has been reviewed and some of the literature
is provided below.
2.1 Past research using California bearing ratio & Jute Fibre on Back
Cotton Soil:
➢ Amit Kumar Jangid et al, (2018): studied to improve engineering
characteristics of black cotton soil by using Recon 3s fibre with 15% Kota
stone slurry. From the experimental research carried out it has been found that
the black cotton soil changes from inorganic clay of medium plasticity to
inorganic clay of low plasticity with 15 percent of Kota stone slurry, and the
plasticity index of black cotton soil decreases by 10.81 percent and 1.5 percent
fiber is found as the optimal fiber quantity to increase the shear strength
parameter of black cotton soil.
➢ Prashanth Hugar (2018):The results indicated that with addition of VPW to
Black Cotton Soil, the Maximum Dry Density is increased and Optimum
Moisture Content is decreased. The Unconfined Compressive Strength values
are increased with addition of ARGF to mixture of BC soil and optimum
dosage of VPW. The unconfined compressive strength values are increased
with curing period. Finally the UCS values for different combinations like BC
soil alone, BC soil and randomly distributed fibers ARGF. The maximum
UCS result is obtained for the mixture of Black Cotton Soil and optimum
dosage of VPW with 0.75% of ARGF.
➢ Sandyarani, C. K. Patil, Dr. Vageesha S. Mathada, Bharamagoud. B
(2018): conducted studies on the effect of black cotton soil with varying
percentages of lime of 2,5,9 and 12% with Varying percentages of sisal fibre
of 0.2, 0.5, 0.9 and 1.2% and varying lengths of 3 to 3.4 cm length at the
interval of 0.2 cm. The OMC and MDD value increased at 9% of Lime and at
0.5% of sisal fibre. The Unconfined compressive strength values also
increased as compared to black cotton soil. The combination of black cotton
soil is mixed with optimum value of lime and highest aspect ratio of sisal fiber
(L/D Ratio of 170) at 0.2mm diameter achieved maximum value of un soaked
CBR of 10.10%.
➢ Harshita Bairagi, R.K. Yadav, R. Jain (2017): conducted studies on the
behaviour of black cotton soil reinforced with 5% lime and Jute fibers from
0% to 5% by weight of black cotton soil. The C.B.R. increases from 3.10% to
4.95% and UCS from 1.09 kg/cm2 to 1.35 kg/cm2. The OMC increases
from16.20 to 19.60 while MDD decreases from 1.68 to 1.58. The shrinkage
limit values increases from 13.75% to 28.68% with increase in the jute fibers
percentage. The Optimum moisture content values increases from 16.20 to
19.60.The Maximum dry density are also decreased from 1.68 to 1.58. From
4
 the test results it can be concluded that the addition of jute fibres to lime
stabilized BC soil decreases its swelling behaviour and increase the C.B.R. and
unconfined compressive strength properties.
➢ Lokesh Gupta (2016):He investigated the join impact of lake and jute fiber on
soil sub grade. In his present examination an endeavor has been made to
investigate the consolidated impact of lake cinder and jute fiber to improve the
lousy soil sub grade qualities. To execute this, the standard delegate test, CBR
and unconfined compressive quality tests were led first on soil test in part
supplanted by lake fiery debris with dose 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% and
afterward soil in addition to various length (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm) and substance
(0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%) of just fiber. From test outcomes, the presumed that
the blend of soil + 30% lake fiery remains + jute fiber (L – 1cm, 1.5%)
produces the best outcomes and noteworthy improvement than other mix
➢ H. P. Singh et. al. (2013):For concentrate the improvement in CBR estimation
of soil, they strengthened soil with jute fiber normal fiber. In this examination
the dirt examples were set up at greatest dry thickness comparing to ideal
dampness content in CBR shape with and without fortification. The level of
jute fiber by dry load of soil was taken as 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0%. The
length of fiber was taken as 30 mm, 60 mm and 90 mm and two distinct
breadths, 1 mm and 2 mm were considered for every fiber length. Test
outcomes showed that CBR estimation of soil increment with the expansion in
fiber content. It was likewise seen that expanding the length and breadth of
fiber further builds the CBR estimation of strengthened soil and this expansion
is generous at fiber substance of 1% for 90 mm fiber length having distance
across 2 mm. They were additionally reasoned that the greatest increment in
CBR worth was observed to be over 200% over that of plain soil at fiber
substance of 1% for fiber having width 2 mm and length 90 mm

➢ K.V. Manjunath, Himanshu Shekhar, Manish Kumar, Prem Kumar and

Rakesh Kumar (2012):reported about the stabilization of black cotton soil
using ground granulated blast furnace slag. A series of compaction and
unconfined compression tests were carried out on virgin as well as blended
samples prepared. It was observed that with increase of slag, more stability of
soil is achieved as compared to using lime alone. UCC strength of ordinary
black cotton soil which was found out to be 188.5 kN/m , increased to 3429.37
kPa. The study recommended that for the proportion of (BC soil + 30% slag) +
4% lime @ OMC on 28"' day with proper curing, UCC strength increased up
to 18 times that of ordinary black cotton soil and the use of slag as an
admixture was recommended for improving engineering properties of the soils
as an economical solution to use the locally available poor soil.
➢ Santhi Krishna K, and Sayida M,K. (2009):conducted studies on the
behaviour of black cotton soil reinforced with sisal fibre. The fibres were cut
to different lengths(1.5cm, 2.0cm,2.5cm and 3.0cm) and mixed randomly with
soil in varying percentages (0.25%, 0.50%,0.75% and 1.00%) by dry weight of
soil and compacted to maximum dry density at optimum moisture content. The
results showed a reduction in the maximum dry density and the optimum
moisture content of soil due to the addition of sisal fibre. It also indicated an
improvement in the CBR value and unconfined compressive strength of soil
due
5
 to the addition of sisal fibre The optimum CBR value and UCC value were
obtained for 2.5cm length of fibre with 0.50% fibre content.
➢ Prabakar and R. S. Sridhar (2002) :conducted studies on the effect of
random inclusion of sisal fibre on the strength behaviour of soil In the
investigation, sisal fibre was chosen as the reinforcement material and it was
randomly included into the soil at four different percentages of fibre content,
i.e. 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% by weight of raw soil. Four different lengths of
fibre, i.e. 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm were also considered as one of the parameters
of the study. The main objective of the investigation focused on the strength
behaviour of the. The reinforced soil samples were subjected to compaction
and tri axial compression tests. The results of these tests showed a significant
improvement in the failure deviator stress, Shear strength parameters (C and
‘rho’) of the studied soil. The result of the tests showed that the increase in
fibre length and fibre content reduce the dry density and optimum moisture
content. Investigation focused on the strength behaviour of the soil reinforced
with randomly included sisal fibre. The reinforced soil samples were subjected
to compaction and triaxial compression tests. The results of these tests showed
a significant improvement in the failure deviator stress, Shear strength
parameters (C and ‘rho’) of the studied soil. The result of the tests showed that
the increase in fibre length and fibre content reduce the dry density and
optimum moisture content
➢ Stacy Zicgler, Dov Leshchinsky and Hoe I. Ling (1998):carried out research
to study whether the inclusion of discrete tensile elements, specifically
polypropylene fibers, could reduce the desiccation cracking and increase the
tensile strength of clays. Tests were conducted at three different fibre content
levels of 0%, 0.1% and 0.3% . The specimens (diameter = 10cm, height = 1T6
cm) were formed by compacting soilfibre mixture in a standard proctor mold
to 95% of maximum dry density. Cracking/ volume change test and tension
test were performed. Based on the test result it was concluded that the fibers
are effective in reducing the amount of desiccation cracking that occurs in
clays subjected to drying. The inclusion of fibers also increased the tensile
strength of the clay and provided a ductile behaviour that was not present in
the specimens without fibers.

6
3.METHODOLOGY

Site visit/reconnaissance survey

Collection of soil sample

7
 Laboratory test

Index properties tests Engineering properties

tests

Specific gravity
UCS test

Atterberg limits

CBR test

Compaction tests

Sieve analysis

Analysis of results

Assessing stabilization
mechanism

SOIL SAMPLE SPECIMEN:

Step 1: Basic test on black cotton soil are carried out like plastic limit, liquid limit,
Specific Gravity, Sieve Analysis.

8
Step 2: To find the Moisture- Density relationship of Black Cotton Soil the
compaction test is carried out.

Step 3: Compaction is carried out to obtain the MDD & OMC of Black Cotton Soil
mixed with varying percentages ( 1%,2%,3%,4%) of Virtified polish waste

Step 5 For the mixture of BC soil and virtified polish waste and jute firers are added in
different percentage (0.25%, 0.5%, 0,75% and 1%) to prepare the UCS specimen.

Step 4: The Unconfined compressive strength specimens are prepared according to the
maximum dry density obtained from the compaction of BC soil and Virtified Polish
Waste.

9
REFERENCE:
[1].Diwakar Singh, Dr. Vandana Tare, Dr. Kundan Meshram, "Stabilization of Black
Cotton Soil with Sand and Non-Woven Coir”,
[2].Sandyarani, C. K. Patil, Dr. Vageesha S. Mathada, Bharamagoud. B,
“Comparative Study on Black Cotton Soil Stabilization by using
Lime and Sisal Fiber”, IJIRST –International Journal for Innovative Research in
Science & Technology| Volume 5 | Issue 1 | June
2018 ISSN (online): 2349-6010
[3]. Namrata D Sune, S.A Deshmukh, “STABILIZATOIN OF BLACK COTTON
SOIL BY USING GEOTEXTILE MATERIAL IN
ROAD CONSRUCTION” International Research Journal of Engineering and
Technology (IRJET), e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 05
Issue: 12 | Dec 2018
[4].Santhi Krishna K, and Sayida M,K. (2009), “Behaviour of Black Cotton Soil
Reinforced with Sisal Fibre” 10th National Conference on Technological Trends
(NCTT09) 6-7 Nov 2009.
[5]. IRC: 37-2012, "Guidelines for the Design of the Flexible pavement". [6].IS:
2720 (Part - 3/sec 1 )-1980, "Determination of Specific Gravity for Fine grained
soils".
[7]. IS: 2720 (Part 4)-1985, "Determination of Grain size analysis for soils". [8].
IS: 2720 (Part8)-1983, "Determination of Water content - Dry density relation
using Heavy compaction".
[9]. IS: 2720 ( Part - 11 )-1993, "Determination of the Shear strength parameters of a
specimen tested in Unconsolidated and Undrained Triaxial compression without the
measurement of pore water pressure".
[10]. IS: 2720 (Part 40 )-1977, "Determination of Differential Free Swell Index".

10