Usage of Rice Husk Ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in Soil Stabilization

Abstract

This work is to evaluate the performance of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) to enhance the stability of a soil. Samples of soil were collected from different places from district Ghaziabad (NCR region), U.P, India. According to ISSCS which stands for Indian Standard Soil Classification System, the soil is categorized as CI (clay with medium plasticity). Addition of 3%, 6% and 9% of RHA and GGBS, by weight of soil, is done individually to the raw soil sample which is gathered from Ghaziabad. The influence of rice husk ash and blast furnace slag on the geotechnical aspects of soil is examined by conducting laboratory tests namely, specific gravity, Atterbergs Limits, compaction tests, shear strength, permeability and CBR. The trend of changes in values of these attributes on adding different percentage of ash and slag is analyzed. Results indicate that incorporation of both, RHA and GGBS has increased stabilization properties of soil. A considerable increment in CBR value by addition of these environmental wastes (RHA and GGBS) to raw soil is a good point indicator from the outlook of both, enhancing the strength of a soil and conserving our developing economy. Moreover, use of these materials is ecologically sound and provides a sustainability to soil stabilization.