13 III March 2025
[Link]
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue III Mar 2025- Available at [Link]
Soil Stabilization Using Construction and Ceramic
Wastes
Azmil Bani1, Fayida P2, KT Muhammad Shibin3, Zakariyya4, Kadeeja Thasneem5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Department of Civil Engineering, MEA Engineering College
Abstract: This study explores the feasibility of using ceramic and construction waste to enhance the engineering properties of
weak soils. Laboratory experiments incorporating 10% and 15% ceramic waste and 5%, 10%, and 15% construction waste
evaluated their impact on unconfined compressive strength (UCC), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and consistency limits.
The results showed significant improvements in soil stability, strength, and load-bearing capacity, with increased UCC and
CBR values indicating enhanced structural integrity. It addressing both environmental concerns and engineering challenges.
By repurposing waste materials, this method reduces landfill disposal and supports the development of sustainable
infrastructure.
Keywords: soil stabilization, ceramic waste, construe waste, Atterberg’s limits, UCC, CBR, MDD, OMC
I. INTRODUCTION
Clay soil, known for its low shear strength, high compressibility, and poor drainage, poses significant challenges in construction and
infrastructure development. Traditional stabilization methods often rely on chemical additives or expensive materials, which can
have environmental and economic drawbacks. As sustainable alternatives, construction and ceramic waste have gained attention for
their potential to enhance soil properties while addressing waste management concerns. Construction waste, including recycled
concrete aggregates and crushed brick, improves soil strength, durability, and drainage while reducing plasticity and increasing
load-bearing capacity. Similarly, ceramic waste from broken tiles, pottery, and other ceramic products enhances compressive
strength, minimizes swelling behavior, and improves erosion resistance. These waste materials, often discarded in landfills, can be
repurposed for soil stabilization, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable construction practices. This study
explores the feasibility of utilizing construction and ceramic waste as cost-effective and eco-friendly stabilizers for clay soil,
contributing to both improved geotechnical performance and circular economy principles.
II. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1) Measure changes in soil properties such as shrinkage, swelling, and permeability when stabilized with construction and ceramic
waste.
2) To evaluate and compare compaction properties, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio values of clay
soil with different percentages of construction and ceramic wastes.
3) To identify the optimal proportions of construction and ceramic waste to be mixed with clay soil for effective stabilization.
III. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The materials required for the study are clay soil, ceramic waste powder, and construction waste powder. Laboratory tests such as
specific gravity test, hydrometer analysis, Atterberg’s limit test, UCC strength test, heavy compaction test, and CBR test were
conducted to determine the basic properties of the collected soil sample. The ceramic waste powder and construction waste powder
will be added to the soil in various proportions. Then, tests such as the standard Proctor test, unconfined compressive strength test,
,and California Bearing Ratio test were conducted to evaluate the effects of these additives on soil properties.
A. Clay soil
Clay is a finely-grained natural rock or soil material that combines one or more clay minerals with possible traces of quartz, metal
oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of
water trapped in the mineral structure. Clays are plastic due to particle size and geometry as well as water content, and become hard,
brittle and non–plastic upon drying or firing. This soil can be collected from nearby locality.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3204
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue III Mar 2025- Available at [Link]
B. Construction waste
Construction waste, which includes materials like concrete, bricks, and mortar, can serve as an effective stabilizer by enhancing soil
properties and contributing to sustainable construction practices. This can be obtained from wandoor town.
C. Ceramic waste
Ceramic waste, including materials like broken tiles, pottery, and bricks, can be repurposed to enhance the properties of clay soils,
offering both environmental and economic benefits.
D. Mix proportion
Mix proportion adopted for this study is given in below (TABLE I). Six set of soil samples was treated with various percentage of
CW and CRW.
TABLE I
MIX PROPOTION
Trail 1 Trail 1
Ceramic Construction Ceramic Construction
waste(CW)% waste (CRW)% waste(CW)% waste(CRW)%
10 5 15 5
10 10 15 10
10 15 15 15
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. The Basic Properties
Basic properties of untreated sample of black clay soil are given in TABLE II.
TABLE II BASIC PROPERTIES OF SOIL
SI No Property Value
1 Liquid limit 45%
2 Shrinkage limit 23.16%
3 Plastic limit 34.4%
4 Plasticity index 10.6%
5 Optimum moisture content 20.8%
6 Maximum dry density 1.74 g/cc
7 California bearing ratio 0.86 %
8 UCC strength 3.161x10-3 g/cc
9 Specific gravity 2.25
B. Properties of Soil Treated with CW and CRW
Unconfined compressive strength test, heavy compaction and California Bearing Ratio test were conducted to determine the change
in properties of soil treated with various percentages of CW and CRW.
1) Variation of UCC Values with Varying Percentage of CW and CRW.
The UCC values and cohesion values of treated clay soil is given in TABLE III.
TABLE III
RESULTS OF UCC
Sample UCC value Cohesion value
-3 2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 4.934x10 kg/cm 2.467x10-3 kg/cm2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 5.853x10-3 kg/cm2 2.93x10-3 kg/cm2
-3 2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 6.218x10 kg/cm 3.105x10-3 kg/cm2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 7.29x10-3 kg/cm2 3.645x10-3kg/cm2
-3 2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 7.84x10 kg/cm 3.92x10-3 kg/cm2
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 7.43x10-3 kg/cm2 3.715x10-3 kg/cm2
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3205
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue III Mar 2025- Available at [Link]
The variation in UCC values of samples with different proportions CW and CRW are presented in Fig 1.
0.01
0.00729 0.00784 0.00743
0.008
0.005853 0.006218
0.006 0.004934
0.004
0.002
0
CW 5% CW 10% CW 15%
CER 10% CER 15%
Fig. 1 Graphical analysis of UCC value of 6 trails
The optimum UCC value of 7.872x10-3 kg/cm2 was achieved in trial 5 with 15% ceramic waste and 10% construction waste. This
indicates that a balanced proportion of ceramic and construction waste can enhance strength, while excessive amounts may lead to
reduced cohesion and increased porosity.
2) Variation of MDD and OMC Values with Varying Percentage of CW and CRW.
The MDD and OMC values and cohesion values of treated cly soil is given in TABLE IV.
TABLE IV
RESULTS OF HEAVY COMPACTION
Sample MDD OMC
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.79g/cc 19.6 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.81 g/cc 18. 89 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.82g/cc 18.82 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.83g/cc 17.8 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.85g/cc 16.71 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 1.86g/cc 16.35 %
The variation in MDD values of samples with different proportions CW and CRW are presented in Fig 2.
1.88 1.86
1.86 1.85
1.84 1.83
1.82
1.82 1.81
1.8 1.79
1.78
1.76
1.74
CW 5% CW 10% CW 15%
CER 10% CER 15%
Fig. 2 Graphical analysis MDD of 6 trails
The addition ceramic waste and construction waste to clay increased the dry density. The maximum dry density is 1.86 g/cc while
added 15% ceramic waste and construction waste. It is due to improved particle packing, increased friction, reduced porosity, and
enhanced soil structure.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 3206
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue III Mar 2025- Available at [Link]
3) Variation of CBR Values with Varying Percentage of CW and CRW.
The CBR values of treated cly soil is given in TABLE V.
TABLE V
RESULTS OF CBR TEST
Sample CBR values
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 16.97 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 22.28 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 27.72 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 34.48 %
Clay soil +10 % CW & 5 % CRW 39.21 %
The variation in CBR values of samples with different proportions CW and CRW are presented in Fig 3.
50
37.76 39.21
40 34.48
30 27.72
22.28
20 16.97
10
0
CW 5% CW 10% CW 15%
CER 10% CER 15%
Fig. 3 Graphical analysis CBR values of 6 trails
The addition of ceramic waste and construction waste to clay at 15% results in a CBR value of 39.21%, indicating a substantial
enhancement in the subgrade strength the clay, attributed to improved particle packing, increased friction, and reduced porosity,
ultimately improving its overall stability and load-bearing capacity.
V. CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the effectiveness of stabilizing clay soil using 15% ceramic waste and 10% construction waste, which
provided the best balance between strength enhancement and workability. The unconfined compressive strength (UCC) rose from
3.16×10⁻³ kg/cm² to 7.872×10⁻³ kg/cm², demonstrating enhanced soil strength. Additionally, the dry density increased from 1.74
g/cc to 1.86 g/cc, while the optimum moisture content decreased from 20.8% to 16.35%, resulting in better compaction and load-
bearing capacity. A significant improvement was observed in the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value, which increased from
0.869 to 39.21%, making the soil more suitable for subgrade applications. These improvements are attributed to the interlocking
effect of angular and rough-textured ceramic and construction waste particles, the pozzolanic reactions enhancing cementitious
bonding, and the reduction in plasticity, which minimizes soil expansiveness. Future research should explore the long-term
performance of stabilized soil under different environmental conditions, the integration of additional industrial waste materials such
as fly ash and lime, and field trials to validate laboratory findings. Additionally, an environmental impact assessment and cost-
benefit analysis are necessary to ensure large-scale application remains sustainable and economically viable.
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[3] C. Henzinger and D. Heyer, "Use of demolish waste and soil improvement in geotechnical engineering for infrastructure and development," Conference
Proceedings of the XVI ECSMGE, Edinburgh, pp. 2547-2552, 2015.
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International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue III Mar 2025- Available at [Link]
[4] C. A. James, U. O. Josiah, and L. E. Joseph, "Comparative Study of Effect of Waste Ceramic and Marble Dusts on Geotechnical Properties of Expansive Soil,"
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