Microstructure of Black Cotton Soil Stabilized with Agricultural and Industrial Waste.

Abstract

Black cotton soil (BCS) is known to be expansive and very challenging when encountered during the construction of roads. Conventional stabilizing materials such as cement and lime are expensive. On the other hand, industrial and agricultural waste with pozzolanic properties are littered in factories and difficult to discard. This paper examined the microstructure of BCS soil stabilized with marble dust, MD, and Rice husk ash, RHA. About seven different mix ratios for MD and RHA are considered for 10% replacement in BCS. Pure BCS was also analyzed as a control. Atterberg limits were investigated for various mix ratio to understand the change in index properties. The SEM micrographs for the control samples show a loose pack of natural BCS with a sponge-like and hollow look. Generally, the SEM results for all the other samples show that the hollow perforated structure of the black cotton soil was reduced. The EDX shows the element present in each mix ratio with a mix ratio of 90:10 and 100:0 for MD: RHA as the appropriate mix.