Laboratory investigations on expansive soils with eggshell powder

Abstract

For any land-based structure, its load is supported by foundation. In order to support the load, soil plays vital role. Clay soils, particularly black cotton soils, shows extreme plastic behavior on increase in moisture. This consequently results in decrease in Engineering properties and more change in volume. These changes results in severe damage of structures, soil improvement is important under such conditions.Soil stabilization helps to overcome the drawbacks of soil. Stabilization of soil can be achieved through several methods ranging from chemical to mechanical stabilization . These methods are quite expensive for developing countries to implement, so the economic way is to use some alternate material which could be industrial or domestic waste. These materials are easily available and their usage can further minimize the problem of their disposals. This paper illustrates the usage of eggshell powder [ESP] as admixture in BC soil to stabilize it and enhance its index properties, compaction characteristics and UCS value.