SOIL STABILIZATION BY USING WASTE PLASTIC

A MINI PROJECT REPORT

submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirement for

for the degree of

[Link]
in

CIVIL ENGINEERING
by

[Link] BAI( R141933 )

under the profound guidance of

[Link]

([Link] in CIVIL ENGINEERING)

RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES

[Link] – A.P – 516330
 CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF
KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis entitiled SOIL STABILIZATION WITH

WASTE PLASTIC (submitted by ) [Link] BAI (R141933)hereby
approved for submission at civil engineering department, Rajiv Gandhi
Universities Of Knowledge Technology, [Link].

Head of the Department, Project Guide,

DAUNDKAR RAMESH KAILAS [Link]

i
 DECLARATION BY STUDENT

I certify that
The work made in this report has been done by us under the guidance of my
superviser.I have confirmed to the norms and guidlines given in the ethical code of conduct of the
institute .Whenever we have used materials(data,theoritcal analysis,figures and text) from other
sources,we have given due credit to them byciting them in the text of the report and giving their
details in [Link],we have taken permission from the copy right owners of the
sources,whenever necessary.

PROJECTED BY
[Link] BAI ( R141933 )

ii
 ABSTRACT

Soil stabilisation is any process which improves the physical properties of soil, such as increasing
shear strength, bearing capacity etc. which can be done by use of controlled compaction or addition
of suitable admixtures like cement, lime and waste materials like fly ash, phosphogypsum etc. The
cost of introducing these additives has also increased in recent years which opened the door widely
for the development of other kinds of soil additives such as plastics, bamboo etc. This new
technique of soil stabilisation can be effectively used to meet the challenges of society, to reduce the
quantities of waste, producing useful material from non-useful waste materials. Use of plastic
products such as polythene bags, bottles etc. is increasing day by day leading to various
environmental concerns. Therefore the disposal of the plastic wastes without causing any ecological
hazards has become a real challenge. Thus using plastic bottles as a soil stabiliser is an economical
utilization since there is scarcity of good quality soil for embankments. This project involves the
detailed study on the possible use of waste plastic bottles for soil stabilisation. The analysis was
done by conducting plate load tests on soil reinforced with layers of plastic bottles filled with sand
and bottles cut to halves placed at middle and one- third positions of tank. The comparison of test
results showed that cut bottles placed at middle position were the most efficient in increasing
strength of soil. The optimum percentage of plastic strips in soil was found out by California
Bearing Ratio Test and using this percentage of plastic, plate load test was also performed. The size
and content of strips of waste plastic bottles have significant effect on the enhancement of strength
of the soil.

KEY WORDS :-
Plastic strips , Black Cotton soil , Atterburg limits, CBR test, Standard Proctor
Compaction Test.

iii
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1:
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1-2
1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW 3
CHAPTER 2:
RESEARCH AND SIGNIFICANCE 4
CHAPTER 3:
MATERIALS 5-7
CHAPTER 4:
TEST CARRIED OUT ON BLACK COTTON SOIL 8-9
4.1: LIQUID LIMIT 10-11
4.2 :PLASTIC LIMIT 12
4.3 :SHRINKAGE LIMIT 13-14
4.4:SIEVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL 15-17
4.5:STANDARD PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST 18-20
4.6:CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST 21-25
CHAPTER 5:
CONCLUSION 26
REFERENCES 27
 CHAPTER -01

INTRODUCTION

Soil stabilisation means the improvement of stability or bearing power of the soil by the use of
controlled compaction, proportioning and/or the addition of suitable admixture or stabilisers. The
basic principles of soil stabilisation are:

[Link] the properties of given soil.

[Link] the lacking property of soil and choose effective and economical method of soil
stabilisation.
[Link] the stabilised soil mix for intended stability and durability values.

Stabilisation can increase the shear strength of a soil and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a
soil, thus improving the load bearing capacity of a sub-grade to support pavements and foundations.
Stabilisation can be used to treat a wide range of sub-grade materials from expansive clays to
granular materials. 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. Benefits of soil stabilisation are higher resistance values, reduction in plasticity,
lowerpermeability, reduction of pavement thickness, elimination of excavation, material hauling
and handling, and base importation, aids compaction, provides all-weather access onto and within
projects sites. The determining factors associated with soil stabilisation may be the existing
moisture content, the end use of the soil structure and ultimately the cost benefit provided.
As good soil becomes scarcer and their location becomes more difficult and costly, the need to
improve quality of soil using soil stabilisation is becoming more important. Soil stabilisation using
raw plastic bottles is an alternative method for the improvement of subgrade soil of pavement. It
can significantly enhance the properties of the soil used in the construction of road infrastructure.
“Waste plastic is one such”, which is commonly used for shopping bags, storage and marketing for
various purposes due to its most advantage character of less volume and weight. Most of these
plastic are specifically made for spot use, having short life span and are being discarded
immediately after use. Though, at many places waste plastics are being collected for recycling or
reuse, however; the secondary markets for reclaimed plastics have not developed as recycling
program. Therefore, the quantity of plastics that is being currently reused or recycled is only a
fraction of the total volume produced every year. The estimated municipal solid waste production in
India up to the year 2000 was of the order of 39 million tons per year. From this plastics constitute
around 4 % [2] of the total waste. With the few reasons cited above, it is very important that we find
ways to re-utilize these plastic wastes. Therefore, the investigation and attempt has been made to
demonstrate the potential of reclaimed plastic wastes as soil reinforcement for improving the sub
grade soils. The study will describe series of tests carried out to initially understand the types of soil
and its properties. Then CBR test was carried out with varying percentage of plastic strips with
different length and proportions mixed uniformly with the soil .The results obtained from the tests
will be presented and discussed.
NEEDS AND ADVANTAGES
Soil properties vary a great deal and construction of structures depends on the bearing capacity of
the soil hence, we need to stabilize the soil which makes it easier to predict the load bearing
capacity of the soil. The gradation of the soil is also a very important property to keep in mind while
working with soils. The soils may be well-graded which is desirable as it has less number of voids
or uniformly graded which though sounds stable but has more voids. Thus, it is better to mix
different types of soils together to improve the soil strength properties.
1
1. It improves the strength of the soil, thus, increasing the soil bearing capacity.
2. It is more economical both in terms of cost and energy to increase the bearing.
3. Capacity of the soil rather than going for deep foundation or raft foundation.
[Link] soil stabilization is also used to prevent soil erosion or formation of dust.
[Link] is very useful especially in dry and arid weather Stabilization is also done for soil water
proofing.
[Link] helps in reducing the soil volume change due to change in temperature or moisture content.
[Link] improves the workability and the durability of the soil.

2
1.1 Literature Review
While performing constructions on weak soils, it is very common
practice to use a variety of ground improvement techniques (such as cement, lime etc.) to address
the poor shear strength and bearing capacity properties of the subgrade or foundation soil. Later
over the years, new advanced technology has been introduced by Vidal (1969) to reduce the danger
of slope stability, increase bearing capacity and reduce the lateral deformation by reinforcing the
tensile resisting materials (Geo-synthetics etc.) into the weak soils. After a few years later, Dutta
and Rao (2004) applied a new tensile force resisting material called Low Density Polyethylene
(LDPE) plastic strips and performed conventional drained triaxial compression tests mixing LDPE
strips with sandy soil. Dutta and Rao (2004) found that with the addition of LDPE strips, load
bearing capacity of soil also increased but did not take the account of strip content and size. As a
part of research on improving the strength of weak soils using tensile resisting material, a new form
of plastic strips called reclaimed High Density Poly- ethylene (HDPE) are introduced by Choudhary
et al. (2010) and reinforced to locally available sandy soil to improve the engineering performance
of sub-grade soil. Different concentrations of HDPE strips (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2 and 4%) and
different lengths and proportions are added randomly to the sandy [Link] also observed that
increase in the HDPE strip content and size, CBR values are also increased and which significantly
reduced the sub-grade thickness. Khabiri Mahammad (2011) added combination of different waste
plastic materials to the plane soil and coarse granular materials. As a result, Khabiri Mahammad
(2011) observed that, tensile and com- pressive strengths of soils improved significantly. Chouksey
and Babu (2011) introduced a new form of plastic waste i.e. drinking water bottles to investigate the
effect of the bottle strips on consolidation charac- teristics. A series of both unconfined compression
test (UCC) and consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial tests showed that there is benefit of increasing
the engineering strength of the soil and also observed that there is significant reduction in the
compressibility param- eters. But they did not consider the particular proportions of bottle strips so
that the behavior of these strips could be identified with change in percentage of strips. Further to
understand the behavior of plastic strips as soil reinforcement, Bhattarai et al. (2013) considered a
new gradation of soil such as inorganic silts. Different plastic concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1%) and
different lengths of 10 mm (AR = 1), 20 mm (AR = 2), 30 mm (AR = 3) and 40 mm (AR = 4) are
considered and mixed with inorganic silts. They performed series of CBR tests and observed that,
with quite controversy to the strength improvement from the above findings, CBR values are only
increased up to a certain limit of 0.50% strip content and AR of 3 and beyond which the properties
had been decreased. To understand more about the behavior of HDPE plastic strips, Chebet and
Kalumba (2014) considered HDPE plastic strips obtained from shopping bags and reinforced them
to two kind of sandy soils called Klipheuwel and Cape Flat sands. The investigators considered the
strip perforations with different diameters as reinforcement to sandy soils. perforations with
different diameters as reinforcement to sandy soils.
In overall, it is inferred that, with addition of plastic strips at particular percentage and for particular
gradation of soil there is significant improvement in the strength characteristic of soil.

3
 CHAPTER-02

RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE

For many years, road engineers have used additives such as lime, cement and cement kiln dust to
improve the qualities of readily available local soils. Laboratory and field performance tests have
confirmed that the addition of such additives can increase the strength and stability of such soils.
However, the cost of introducing these additives has also increased in recent years. This has opened
the door widely for the development and introduction of other kinds of soil additives such as
plastics, bamboo, liquid enzyme soil stabilizers etc.

Soil stabilisation using raw plastic bottles is an alternative method for the improvement of subgrade
soil of pavement. It can significantly enhance the properties of the soil used in the construction of
road infrastructure. Results include a better and longer lasting road with increased loading capacity
and reduced soil permeability. This new technique of soil stabilisation can be effectively used to
meet the challenges of society, to reduce the quantities of waste, producing useful material from
non-useful waste materials that lead to the foundation of sustainable society. It can be effectively
used in strengthening the soil for road embankments and in preparing a suitable base for the upper
pavement structure. Since it increases the bearing capacity of soil considerably, the land use can be
increased. It can lower the road construction and maintenance costs while increasing the overall
quality of its structure and surface.
The promise that soil stabilisation technology can actually improve the mechanical qualities of local
road soil so that stronger, more durable roads can be built has prompted national road ministries
around the world to conduct extensive testing to verify that this new technology is truly cost-
effective. The result is that this new advance in soils tabilisation technology is increasingly being
used in both constructing and improving/rehabilitating unsurfaced and paved roads worldwide.

4
 CHAPTER -03

MATERIALS

In order to conduct this study, various materials such as lateritic soil, plastic bottles (both cut and
uncut), sea sand and synthetic threads were used.
Materials used :-
1. Plastic bottles
2. Black cotton soil

[Link] Material:-
PET is normally termed as Polyethylene Terephthalate and is produced from
petroleum hydrocarbons, through a reaction between ethylene glycol and Terephthalate acid. Due to
its excellent wearing resistance, low coefficient of friction and high flexural modulus, it is regarded
as a good additive for stabilization of soil to improve the engineering properties of soil. The
chemical formula for PET is (C 10 H 8 O 4 ) n .
PET waste water bottles are cut into strips with width and length of (15 mm ,25 mm), (15 mm ,
25 mm) and (15 mm ,35 mm) using scissor and measuring ruler. California bearing ratio (CBR)
tests are conducted without plastic strips and same set of tests are performed on reinforced soil with
plastic strips with varying percentages of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% respectively. The reason behind
selecting these par- ticular sizes and plastic contents is based on the fact that, literature reviews
showed the properties of plastic reinforced soil change with addition of plastic strip content with
varying sizes. In this research, the behavior of silty sand with these particular cut plastic strip sizes
and plastic contents is studied by assessing the engineering properties of the given soil. Later, the
effect of change in strip size at 0.4% plastic content only is also studies since the improvement in
engi- neering properties for silty sand are found to be maximum at 0.4% plastic content. Results are
obtained for all mentioned tests for plastic reinforced soil and comparisons and conclusions are
made in the subsequent sections.
Plastic strips are cut into different lengths of about 15, 25 and 35 mm keeping strip width at 15 mm
to be constant. Plastic strips are mixed with virgin soil uniformly by applying little water to the soil
and thus making it partially wet. Quantity of plastic strips (W p ) to be added to a given amount of
natural soil is obtained using the following formula given in Eq. (1)

Eq.(1) W p 1⁄4 aW d
where a = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% of Plastic Content,
W d = Quantity of Dry Natural Soil (gm.)

FIG .WASTE PLASTIC

5
 FIG . BOTTLE PEICES
WHY PLASTIC :
Plastic increases the shear strength and tensile strength of soil. It can significantly enhance the
properties of the soil used in the construction of road infrastructure and available abundance.
PROPERTIES OF PLASTIC:
Plastic have a numerous properties that make them superior to other materials in many applications.
The different types of properties are physical properties and chemical properties.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Chemical resistance, thermal resistance, reactivity with water, flammability, heat of combustion
etc., are the basic chemical properties of plastic.

2. BLOCK COTTON SOIL :-

PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH BLACK COTTON SOIL
Due to their peculiar nature Black Cotton soils are challenge for engineers everywhere in the world,
and more so in tropical countries like India because of wide variation in temperature and because of
distinct dry and wet seasons leading to wide variations in moisture content of soil. The following
problems generally occur in black cotton soil High Compressibility Black Cotton soils are highly
plastic and compressible, when they are saturated. Footing, resting on such soils under goes
consolidation settlements of high magnitude.
Black cotton soils are inorganic clays of medium to high compressibility and form a major soil
group in India. They are characterized by high shrinkage and swelling properties. This Black cotton
soils occurs mostly in the central and western parts and covers approximately 20% of the total area
of India. Because of its high swelling and shrinkage characteristics, the Black cotton soils (BC
soils) has been a challenge to the highway engineers. The Black cotton soils is very hard when dry,
but losses its [Link] is observed that on drying, the black cotton soil develops cracks of varying
depth. Figure 1 shows the typical cracks in Black cotton soils (BC soils) in a dried state. As a result
of wetting and drying process, vertical movement takes place in the soil mass. All these movements
lead to failure of pavement, in the form of settlement, heavy depression, cracking and unevenness.
This article covers highway construction in Black cotton soils (BC soils) and also describes a case
history of highway construction in highway construction in Black cotton soils.

6
FIG. Black Cotton Soil sample
Black Cotton Soil Peculiar Characteristics
Black cotton soil (BC soil) is a highly clayey soil. It is so hard that the clods cannot be easily
pulverized for treatment for its use in road construction. This poses serious problems as regards to
subsequent performance of the road. Moreover, the softened sub grade has a tendency to up heave
into the upper layers of the pavement, especially when the sub-base consists of stone soling with lot
of voids. Gradual intrusion of wet Black cotton soil (BC soil) invariably leads to failure of the road.

The roads laid on Black cotton soil (BC soil) bases develop undulations at the road surface due to
loss of strength of the sub grade through softening during monsoon. The black color in Black cotton
soil (BC soil) is due to the presence of titanium oxide in small concentration. The Black cotton soil
(BC soil) has a high percentage of clay, which is predominantly montmorillonite in structure and
black or blackish grey in color. The physical properties of Black cotton soil (BC soil) vary from
place to place. 40 to 60% of the Black cotton soil (BC soil) has a size less than 0.001 mm. At the
liquid limit, the volume change is of the order of 200 to 300% and results in swelling pressure as
high as 8 kg/cm 2/ to 10 kg/cm 2. As such Black cotton soil (BC soil) has very low bearing capacity
and high swelling and shrinkage characteristics. Due to its peculiar characteristics, it forms a very
poor foundation material for road construction. Soaked laboratory CBR values of Black Cotton soils
are generally found in the range of 2 to 4%. Due to very low CBR values of Black cotton soil (BC
soil), excessive pavement thickness is required for designing for flexible pavement. Research &
Development (R&D) efforts have been made to improve the strength characteristics of Black cotton
soil (BC soil) with new technologies.

7
 CHAPTER- 04
TESTS CARRIED OUT ON BLACK COTTON SOIL
In this research work conducted various experiment to find the stabilization of the sub base using
the industrial waste and plastic waste the various test conducted to find the stabilization of the sub
based on the ASTM procedure are listed .
[Link] LIMITS:
A fine-gained soil can exist in any of several states; which state depends on the amount of water in
the soil system. When water is added to a dry soil, each particle is covered with a film of adsorbed
water. If the addition of water is continued, the thickness of the water film on a particle increases.
Increasing the thickness of the water films permits the particles to slide past one another more
easily. The behavior of the soil, therefore, is related to the amount of water in the system.
Approximately sixty years ago, A. Atterberg defined the boundaries of four states in terms of
"limits" as follows:
[Link] limit
The water content at which the soil has such a small shear strength that it flows to close a groove of
standard width when jarred in a specified manner. The Liquid Limit, also known as the upper plastic
limit, is the water content at which soil changes from the liquid state to a plastic state.(Or) It is the
minimum moisture content at which a soil flows upon application of very small shear force.

[Link] limit
The water content at which the soil begins to crumble when rolled into threads of specified size.
The Plastic Limit, also known as the lower plastic limit, is the water content at which a soil changes
from the plastic state to a semisolid state.
Plasticity:-
It is defined as the property of cohesive soil which posses the ability to undergo changes of shape
without rupture or a change in volume.
Non plastic soils
Soil that do not have plastic limit are reported as being non-plastic e.g fairly clean sand, rock dust
etc. Non plastic soils make excellent road materials when properly confined under wearing
course .e.g. Rock dust. Even when wet they form hard, durable surface whereas clean sand
displaces easily under the load. However, their use for base course or for fill brings difficult
construction problems.
Plasticity Index (PI):
Plasticity Index is the range of water content over which a soil behaves plastically. It indicates the
degree of plasticity of the soil. PI is the difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit.
Greater the difference, greater is the plasticity of the soil. Soils with a high PI tend to be
predominantly clay, while those with a lower PI tend to be predominantly silt. Soils with high
plasticity index are highly compressible. Plasticity index in also a measure of cohesiveness with
high value of PI indicating high degree of cohesion. Experience shows that soils with high P.I are
8
 much less desirable for sub grade or base course than those having less indexes. For base course
common specification is P.I < 3.
[Link] Limit
It is the maximum water content at which a reduction in water content will not cause a decrease in
volume of the soil mass. It is the lowest water content at which soil can still be saturated.
Liquidity Index / Water Plasticity Ratio
The Atterberg's limits are found for remoulded soil samples. These limits as such do not indicate the
consistency of undisturbed soil. The index to indicate consistency of undisturbed soils is called
liquidity index of the soil or Water Plasticity Ration of the soil. Its advantage is that The liquidity
index (LI) is used for scaling the natural water content of a soil sample to the limits.

9
[Link] LIMIT TEST
The liquid limit of a soil is the water content at which the soil behaves practically like a liquid, but
has small shear strength. It flows to close the groove in just 25 blows in Casagrande’s liquid limit
device.
As it is difficult to get exactly 25 blows in a test, 3 to 4 tests are conducted and the number of blows
(N) required in each test is determined. A semi-log plot is then drawn between log N and the water
content (w). The liquid limit is the water content corresponding to N=25, as obtained from the plot.
Equipment for Liquid Limit Test on Soil
Casagrande’s liquid limit device
1. Grooving tools of both standard and ASTM types
2. Oven
3. Evaporating dish or glass sheet
4. Spatula
5. 425 micronIS sieve
6. Weighing balance accuracy 0.01g.
7. Wash bottle.
PROCEDURE OF TEST

Place a portion of the prepared sample in the cup of the liquid limit device at the point where the
cup rests on the base and spread it so that it is 10mm deep at its deepest point. Form a horizontal
surface over the soil. Take care to eliminate air bubbles from the soil specimen. Keep the unused
portion of the specimen in the storage container.
1. Form a groove in the soil by drawing the grooving tool, beveled edge forward, through the
soil from the top of the cup to the bottom of the cup. When forming the groove, hold the tip
of the grooving tool against the surface of the cup and keep the tool perpendicular to the
surface of the cup.
2. Lift and drop the cup at a rate of 2 drops per second. Continue cranking until the two halves
of the soil specimen meet each other at the bottom of the groove. The two halves must meet
along a distance of 13mm (1/2 in).
3. Record the number of drops required to close the groove.
4. Remove a slice of soil and determine its water content, w.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 5 with a sample of soil at a slightly higher or lower water content.
Whether water should be added or removed depends on the number of blows required to
close the grove in the previous sample

10
observations & calculations
soil taken without adding plastic:
[Link] observations Sample - 1 Sample-2 Sample-3
1 No of blows 28 11 08
2 Water content can no 01 02 03
3 Mass of empty can (M1) 22 21 22
4 Mass of can + wet soil 43 40 51
(M2)
5 Mass of can + dry soil 32 34 41
(M3)
6 Mass of water =M2-M3 06 06 10
7 Mass of dry soil=M3-M1 15 13 19
8 Water content 0.4 0.46 0.52
W=(M2-M3)/(M3-M1)

Soil Taken with 2%of Plastic:

[Link] observations Sample - 1 Sample-2 Sample-3

1 No of blows 36 24 18
2 Water content can no 11 22 33
3 Mass of empty can (M1) 22 21 22
4 Mass of can + wet soil 46 42 50
(M2)
5 Mass of can + dry soil 38 36 45
(M3)
6 Mass of water =M2-M3 08 06 15
7 Mass of dry soil=M3-M1 12 14 23
8 Water content 0.66 0.42 0.65
W=(M2-M3)/(M3-M1)

Precautions
• After performing each test the cup and grooving tool must be cleaned.
• The number of blows should be just enough to close the groove.
• The number of blows should be between 10 and 40.
RESULT:
Liquid limit of soil without adding plastic =46%
Liquid limit of soil with adding plastic =66%

11
fig . Graph for Liquid Limit of soil

12
[Link] LIMIT TEST

APPARATUS
[Link]
[Link] to determine moisture conten
[Link],with an accuracy of 0.01g
[Link]
[Link] glass plate
PROCEDURE OF TEST
[Link] the 20g sample select a 1.5 to 2 g specimen for testing.
[Link] the test specimen between the palm or fingers on the ground glass plate to form thread of
uniform diameter.
[Link] rolling the thread until it reaches a uniform diameter of 3.2mm or 1/8 in.
[Link] the thread becomes a diameter of 1/8 in. reform it into a ball.
[Link] the soil for a few minutes to reduce its water content slightly.
[Link] steps 2 to 5 until the thread crumbles when it reaches a uniform diameter of 1/8 in.
[Link] the soil reaches the point where it will crumble, and when the thread is a uniform diameter
of 1/8", it is at its plastic limit. Determine the water content of the soil.
Note: Repeat this procedure three times to compute an average plastic limit for the sample
OBSERVATIONS:
Soil taken without Plastic

[Link] Observations Sample-1

1 Water content can no 11
2 Mass of empty can (M1) 24
3 Mass of can + wet soil (M2) 46.08
4 Mass of can + dry soil (M3) 41.8
5 Mass of water = M2-M3 4.28
6 Mass of dry soil = M3-M1 17.8
7 Water content, 0.24
W = ( M2-M3)/(M3-M1)
Result:

Plastic limit of soil without adding plastic = 24%

13
4.1.3. SHRINKAGE LIMIT
APPARATUS:-
Shrinkage dish having flat bottom, 45mm diameter and 15 mm height
1. Two large evaporating dishes about 120mm diameter with a pour out and flat bottom.
2. One small mercury dish 60mm diameter
3. Two glass plate, one plain and one with prongs, 75mm x 75mm x 3mm size.
4. Glass cup 50mm diameter and 25mm height
5. IS sieve 425micron
6. Oven
7. Desiccator
8. Weighing balance accuracy 0.01 g.
9. Spatula
[Link] edge
[Link]
PROCEDURE:-
1. Take a sample of mass about 100g from a thoroughly mixed soil passing 425 micron sieve.
2. Take about 30g of soil sample in a large evaporating dish. Mix it with distilled water to make a
creamy paste which can be readily worked without entrapping the air bubbles.
3. Take the shrinkage dish. Clean it and determine its mass.
4. Fill the mercury in the shrinkage dish. Remove the excess mercury by pressing the plain glass
plate over the top of the shrinkage dish. The plate should be flush with the top of the dish. And no
air should be entrapped.
5. Transfer the mercury of the shrinkage dish to a mercury weighing dish and determine the mass of
the mercury to an accuracy of 0.1g. the volume of the shrinkage dish is equal to the mass of
mercury in grams divided by the specific gravity of the mercury (i.e. 13.6)
6. Coat the inside of the shrinkage dish with a thin layer of silicon grease or Vaseline. Place the soil
specimen in the center of the shrinkage dish equal to about one-third the volume of the shrinkage
dish. Tap the shrinkage dish on a firm cushioned surface and allow the paste to flow to the edges.
7. Add more soil and continue the tapping till the shrinkage dish is completely filled and excess soil
paste projects out about its edge. Strike out the top surface of the plate with a straight edge. Wipe of
all soil adhering to the outside of the shrinkage dish. Determine the mass of the we soil (M1).
8. Dry the soil in the shrinkage dish in air until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light. Then
dry the pat in the oven at 105 to 110 0C to constant mass.
9. Cool the dry pat in a desiccator. Remove the dry pat from the desiccator after cooling, and weight
the shrinkage dish with the dry pat to determine the dry mass of the soil (Ms).
10. Place a glass cup in a large evaporating dish and fill it with mercury. Remove the excess
mercury by pressing the glass plate with prongs firmly over the top of the cup. Wipe off any
mercury adhering to the outside of the cup. Remove the glass cup full of mercury and place it in
14
another evaporating dish taking care not to spill any mercury from the cup.
11. Take out the dry pat of the soil from the shrinkage dish and immerse it in the glass cup full of
mercury. Take care not to entrap air under the pat. Press the plate with prongs on the top of the cup
firmly.
12. Collect the mercury displaced by the dry pat in the evaporating dish and transfer it to the
mercury weighing dish. Determine the mass of the mercury to an accuracy of 0.1g. The volume of
the dry pat (V2) is equal to the mass of the mercury divided by the specific gravity of the mercury.
13. Repeat the test atleast 3 times.
OBSERVATIONS:-
Soil taken without Plastic:

[Link] Observations Sample-1

1 Shrinkage dish no. 1
2 Weight of shrinkage dish + wet soil in g (M1) 61
3 Wt. of shrinkage dish + [Link] dry soil pat in g(M2) 47
4 Wt. of shrinkage dish in g ( M3) 26.12
5 Weight of mercury filling the dish (M4) in g 325
6 Original volume of wet soil v1 = (M4)/13.6 23.89
7 Mass of mercury displaced by dry part (M5) 175
8 Volume of Dry Part (v2)= M5/13.6 12.8

CALUCULATIONS:

Initial moisture content W1 (%)= [(M1-M2)/(M2-M3)]*100 =67%

Shrinkage Limit Ws (%)= W1- γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100 =14.17 %w((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100 =14.17 %

Shrinkage Ration (R)= (M2-M3)/V2 = 1.62

Volumetric Shrinkage Vs =[W1- Ws] *R = 85.58

15
4.2. SIEVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL
intriduction:
The soil is sieved through a set of sieves. The material retained on different sieves is determined.
The percentage of material retained on any sieve is given by

Where Mn = mass of soil retained on sieve ‘n’

M= total mass of the sample.
The cumulative percentage of the material retained
Cn = P1 + P2 + P3 + . . . . . . . . . +Pn

Where P1, P2 etc are the percentages retained on sieve 1, 2 etc which are coarser than sieve ‘n’. The
percentage finer than the sieve ‘n’

APPARATUS:
1. Set of fine sieves, 2mm, 1mm, 600 micron, 425, 212, 150, and 75 micron.
2. Set of coarse sieves, 100mm, 80mm, 40mm, 10mm, and 4.75mm.
3. Weighing balance with accuracy of 0.1% of the mass of the sample.
4. Oven
5. Mechanical shaker
6. Trays
7. Mortar with a rubber covered pestle.
8. Brushes
9. Riffler
PROCEDURE:
1. Take the required quantity of the sample. Sieve it through a 4.75mm Is sieve. Take the soil
fraction retained on 4.75mm IS sieve for the coarse sieve analysis (Part-I) and that passing through
the sieve for the fine sieve analysis (Part-II).
2. Sieve the sample through the set of coarse sieves by hand. While sieving through each sieve, the
sieve should be agitated such that the sample rolls in irregular motion over the sieve, the material
retained on the sieve may be rubbed with the rubber pestle in the mortar, if necessary Care shall be
taken so as not to break the individual particles. The quantity of the material taken for sieving on
each sieve shall be such that the maximum mass of material retained on each sieve does not exceed
the specified value.
3. Determine the mass of the material retained on each sieve.
16
4. Calculate the percentage of soil retained on each sieve on the basis of the total mass of the
sample, taken in step (1).
5. Determine the percentage passing through each sieve.

6. Take the portion of the soil passing 4.75 mm IS sieve. Oven dry it at 105 to 110 0C. Weigh it to
0.1% of the total mass.
7. Sieve the soil trough the nest of fine sieves, the sieves should be agitated so that the sample rolls
in irregular motion over the sieves. However, no particles should be pushed through the sieve.
8. Take the material retained on various sieves in a mortar. Rub it with rubble pestle, but do not try
to break individual particles.
9. Reserve the material through the nest of sieves. A minimum of 10min of shaking is required if a
mechanical shaker is used.
10. Collect the soil fraction retained on each sieve in a separate container. Take the mass.
11. Determine the percentage retained, cumulative percentage retained, and the percentage finer,
based on the total mass taken in step (1).

S. IS Sieve No. Aperture Size in [Link] soil retained %Wt. Retained Cumulative % % passing
No “mm” in “g” (M) Pn Wt. Reatined through
Cn N

1 4.75 mm 4.75 22 2.2 2.2 97.8

2 2.36 mm 2.36 37 3.7 5.9 94.1
3 1.18 mm 1.18 156 15.6 21.5 78.5
4 600 0.60 365 36.5 58 42
5 425 0.425 147 14.7 72.7 27.3
6 300 0.30 185 18.5 90.7 9.2
7 150 0.150 66 6.6 97.3 2.7
8 75 0.075 14 1.4 98.7 1.3
9 Pan Pan 06 0.6 99.3 0.7

From the Graph:

Effective size of the particles , D10 = 0.31mm
D30 = 0.43mm
D60 = 0.86mm

17
fig . Graph for Particle size of soil

18
4.3. STANDARD PROCTOR COMPACTION TEST
introduction:Compaction is the process of densification of soil by reducing air voids. The degree
of compaction of a given soil is measured in terms of its dry density. The dry density is maximum at
the optimum water content. A curve is drawn between the water content and the dry density to
obtain the maximum dry density and the optimum water content.
APPARATUS :
[Link] mould, capacity 1000ml.
1. Rammer, mass 2.6 kg
2. Detachable base plate
3. Collar, 60mm high
4. IS sieve, 4.75 mm
5. Oven
6. Desiccator
7. Weighing balance, accuracy 1g
8. Large mixing pan
9. Straight edge
[Link]
[Link] jar
[Link] tools, spoons, trowels, etc.
PROCEDURE:
Take about 20kg of air-dried soil. Sieve it through 20mm and 4.7mm sieve.
1. Calculate the percentage retained on 20mm sieve and 4.75mm sieve, and the percentage
passing 4.75mm sieve.
2. If the percentage retained on 4.75mm sieve is greater than 20, use the large mould of 150mm
diameter. If it is less than 20%, the standard mould of 100mm diameter can be used. The
following procedure is for the standard mould.
3. Mix the soil retained on 4.75mm sieve and that passing 4.75mm sieve in proportions
determined in step (2) to obtain about 16 to 18 kg of soil specimen.
4. Clean and dry the mould and the base plate. Grease them lightly.
5. Weigh the mould with the base plate to the nearest 1 gram.
6. Take about 16 – 18 kg of soil specimen. Add water to it to bring the water content to about
4% if the soil is sandy and to about 8% if the soil is clayey.
7. Keep the soil in an air-tight container for about 18 to 20 hours for maturing. Mix the soil
thoroughly. Divide the processed soil into 6 to 8 parts.
8. Attach the collar to the mould. Place the mould on a solid base.
9. Take about 2.5kg of the processed soil, and hence place it in the mould in 3 equal layers.
Take about one-third the quantity first, and compact it by giving 25 blows of the rammer.
The blows should be uniformly distributed over the surface of each layer.
[Link] top surface of the first layer be scratched with spatula before placing the second layer.
The second layer should also be compacted by 25 blows of rammer. Likewise, place the
third layer and compact it.
[Link] amount of the soil used should be just sufficient to fill the mould ad leaving about 5 mm
19
 [Link] top of the mould to be struck off when the collar is removed.
[Link] the collar and trim off the excess soil projecting above the mould using a straight
edge.
[Link] the base plate and the mould from outside. Weigh it to the nearest gram.
[Link] the soil from the mould. The soil may also be ejected out.
[Link] the soil samples for the water content determination from the top, middle and bottom
portions. Determine the water content.
[Link] about 3% of the water to a fresh portion of the processed soil, and repeat the steps 10 to
14
Observations :
diameter of the mould in cm = 10
height of the mould in cm = 12.7
volume of the mould v in cc = 1000 cc

Soil taken without adding plastic

[Link] observations 1 2 3 4
1 Weight of empty mould W1 in 4296 4296 4296 4296
g
2 Weight of mould + wet soil 5645 5647 5820 5833
(W2) in g
3 Weight of wet soil W3 = (W2- 1349 1351 1524 1537
W1) in g
4 Bulk density gamma γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
1.349 =14.17 % = W3/
1.351 1.524 1.537
V
5 Cointainer no 11 10 12 9
6 Mass of empty container,M4 25 22 23 22
7 Mass of container + wet soil, 38 48 48 50
M5
8 Mass of container + dry 36 46 44 45
soil,M6
9 W=(M5-M6)/(M6-M4) 10.5 8.3 19 21
10 Dry density γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
1.14 =14.17 %d = γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
1.24 0.96 1.27=14.17 % / 1+W
Caluculation:
Maximum dry density =1.27

20
Observation table 2 :
Soil taken with 0.4% of plastic

[Link] observations 1 2 3 4
1 Weight of empty mould W1 in 4296 4296 4296 4296
g
2 Weight of mould + wet soil 5650 5657 5830 5843
(W2) in g
3 Weight of wet soil W3 = (W2- 1354 1361 1534 1547
W1) in g
4 Bulk density gamma γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
1.354 =14.17 % = W3/
1.361 1.534 1.547
V
5 Cointainer no 1 11 2 3
6 Mass of empty container,M4 25 22 23 24
7 Mass of container + wet soil, 42 46 43 44
M5
8 Mass of container + dry 38 41 40 42
soil,M6
9 W(%)=(M5-M6)/(M6-M4) 30.7 26.3 17.6 11.1
10 Dry density γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
4.41 =14.17 %d
4.9= γw((V1-V2)/M2-M3))*100
8.2 12.7=14.17 % / 1+W

Caluculation:
Maximum dry density = 12.7

fig . Reference garph to findout Optimum Moisture Content

21
[Link] BEARING RATIO TEST
introduction:
The California Bearing Ratio test was conducted to determine the optimum amount of plastic strips
in soil. This is done by mixing soil with varying percentages (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4% etc.) of plastic
strips in soil and the 4 day soaked CBR Value is obtained. [2].Plate load tests were conducted with
plain lateritic soil, soil stabilised with full bottles, soil stabilised with bottles cut to two halves and
soil stabilised with optimum percentage of plastic strips[3]. Load-settlement graphs for each plate
load test were drawn. For each load-settlement graph, the load corresponding to 4mm settlement
was noted. The ultimate load and corresponding settlement of the plate is also determined from the
load- settlement graph plotted for various test arrangements.
First CBR test done by taking without plastic.
The Black cotton soil taken as amount of 5.5kg which passed through 19mm seive and retained on
4.75mm seive. The water content aadded to the soil . The added water amount is 8% of weight of
soil. Afetr adding the water the soil can be divied five parts with same quantity. The soil parts taken
into the mould and compacted
PROCEDURE:
Preparation Of Test Specimen:
1. Remoulded specimen: The test material should pass 19 mm IS sieve and retained on 4.75 mm IS
sieve. The dry density for a remoulding shall be either the field density or the value of the
maximum dry density estimated by the compaction test (Heavy Compaction Test as per IS 2720
(Part-8) -1983, for Railway Formation). The water content used for compaction shall be the
optimum water content or the field moisture as the case may be.
2. Dynamic Compaction: A representative sample of the soil weighing approximately 4.5 kg or
more for fine grained soil and 5.5 kg or more for granular soil shall be taken and mixed thoroughly
with water. If the soil is to be compacted to the maximum dry density at the optimum moisture
content, the exact mass of the soil required shall be taken and the necessary quantity of water added
so that the water content of the soil sample is equal to the determined optimum moisture content.
3. Fix the extension collar and the base plate to the mould. Insert the spacer disc over the base.
Place the filter paper on the top of the spacer disc.
4. Apply Lubricating Oil to the inner side of the mould. Compact the mix soil in the mould using
heavy compaction. i.e. compact the soil in 5 layers with 55 blows to each layer by the 4.89 kg
rammer.
5. Remove the extension collar and trim the compacted soil carefully at the level of top of mould,
by means of a straight edge. Any holes developed on the surface of the compacted soil by removal
of the coarse material, shall be patched with the smaller size material. Remove the perforated base
plate, Spacer disc and filter paper and record the mass of the mould and compacted soil specimen.
Place a disc of coarse filter paper on the perforated base plate, invert the mould and compacted soil
and clamp the perforated base plate to the mould with the compacted soil in contact with the filter
paper.

22
6. Place a filter paper over the specimen and place perforated plate on the compacted soil specimen
in the mould. Put annular weights to produce a surcharge equal to weight of base material and
pavement, to the nearest 2.5 kg.
7. Immerse the mould assembly and weights in a tank of water and soak it for 96 hours. Mount the
tripod for expansion measuring device on the edge of the mould and record initial dial gauge
reading. Note down the readings every day against time of reading. A constant water level shall be
maintained in the tank throughout the period.
8. At the end of soaking period, note down the final reading of the dial gauge and take the mould
out of water tank.
9. Remove the free water collected in the mould and allow the specimen to drain for 15 minutes.
Remove the perforated plate and the top filter paper. Weigh the soaked soil sample and record the
weight.
Procedure For Penetration Test:-
1. Place the mould assembly with test specimen on the lower plate of penetration testing machine.
To prevent upheaval of soil into the hole of the surcharge weights, 2.5 kg annular weight shall be
placed on the soil surface prior to seating the penetration plunger after which the remainder of the
surcharge weights shall be placed.
2. Seat the penetration piston at the center of the specimen with the smallest possible load, but in no
case in excess of 4 kg so that full contact of the piston on the sample is established.
3. Set the load and deformation gauges to read zero. Apply the load on the piston so that the
penetration rate is about 1.25 mm/min.
4. Record the load readings at penetrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 mm.5.
Raise the plunger and detach the mould from the loading equipment. Take about 20 to 50 g of soil
from the top 30 mm layer and determine the moisture content.

23
OBSERVATION TABLE :1
soil sample without plastic
Least count of penetration dial gauge in mm = 0.01
proving ring constant = 0.861

[Link] Dial Gauge Reading Penetration in “mm”=(a)*0.01 Proving ring Test Load
(a) reading (PT) in KG
(b) (b)*0.861
1 0 0 0 0
2 50 0.5 11 9.47
3 100 1.0 19.4 16.70
4 150 1.5 28.4 24.45
5 200 2.0 39.6 34.09
6 250 2.5 51.2 44.08
7 300 3.0 65 55.96
8 350 3.5 78.4 67.5
9 400 4.0 94 80.934
10 450 4.5 108.2 93.16
11 500 5.0 124 106.76

STANDARD LOADS FOR CRUSHED STONE

Penetration in ‘mm’ 2.50 5.00 7.50 10.00 12.50
Standard load (Ps) in 1370 2055 2630 3180 3600
“kg”

Calculations:-
Test load at 2.5mm Penetration (Pt)= 44.08
Test load at 5.00mm Penetration (Pt)= 106.76

CBR value at 2.5mm Penetration = (Pt/Ps)= 44.08/1370 =0.03 = 3%

CBR value at 5.00mm Penetration = (Pt/Ps)= 106.76/2055 =0.05= 5%

24
ADDING PLASTIC:-

The CBR test procedure can be repeated with adding plastc 0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8 percentages of weight of
soil.

fig 2. SOIL ADDED WITH PLASTIC PEICES

25
Observations table 2:-
caluculations after 0.6% plastic added to the soil

[Link] Dial Gauge Reading Penetration in “mm”=(a)*0.01 Proving ring Test Load
(a) reading (PT) in KG
(b) (b)*0.861
1 0 0 0 0
2 50 0.5 11.8 10.15
3 100 1.0 20.0 17.22
4 150 1.5 30.2 26.00
5 200 2.0 48.6 41.84
6 250 2.5 63.8 54.93
7 300 3.0 88.6 76.28
8 350 3.5 106.4 91.61
9 400 4.0 128.8 110.89
10 450 4.5 136.4 117.44
11 500 5.0 144.2 124.15

Calculations:-
Test load at 2.5mm Penetration (Pt)= 54.93
Test load at 5.00mm Penetration (Pt)= 124.15

CBR value at 2.5mm Penetration = (Pt/Ps)= 54.93/1370 =0.04 = 4%

CBR value at 5.00mm Penetration = (Pt/Ps)= 124.15/2055 =0.06=6%

RESULT :-
By observing the above CBR values of both sample of soil ,the soil having 0.6% of
plastic has more CBR value than the normal sample having without plastic.

26
 CHAPTER -05

CONCLUSION

From this study, we can conclude that

1. strength improvement of soil due to mixing of plastic strips as a mean of soil reinforcement.

2. The use of plastic wastes has significantly helped in ground improvement.

3. By adding the palstic its controll the atterburg limits of soil.

[Link] CBR was conducted for soil mixed with plastic strips. The CBR test is conducted for the
black cotton soil, adding the 0.6% of plastic stripes to the black cotton soil it is found that the
strength of the soil is increased resulting the bearing ratio of 6 the black cotton soil

[Link] can significantly enhance the properties of the soil used in the construction of road
infrastructure. Results include a better and longer lasting road with increased loading capacity.

6. This new technique of soil stabilisation can be effectively used to meet the challenges of society,
producing useful material from non-useful waste materials.

7. Thus using plastic bottles as a soil stabiliser is an economical and gainful utilization since there is
scarcity of good quality soil for embankments and fills.

[Link] this project is to meets the challenges of society to reduce the quantities of plastic waste,
producing useful material from non-useful waste materials that lead to the foundation of sustainable
society.

9. As it economic in nature and hazard free it is the one of the best solution for reutilization of the
plastic wastage.

27
REFERENCES

[Link], K. R. (2004). Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Standard Publishers

Distributors.

2. Kumar, M. A., Prasad, D. S. V. and Prasadaraju, G. V. R. (2009). Utilization of industrial waste in

flexible pavement construction. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 13

3. IS: 1888(1982), Method of Load Test on Soils. Indian Standards Institutions, New Delhi.

4. Bateni, F. (2009). Stabilization Mechanisms of oil- palm fruit bunch fiber reinforced silt sand.
Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Auckland.

28