Geotech Geol Eng (2016) 34:14351451
DOI 10.1007/s10706-016-0053-3
ORIGINAL PAPER
Consolidation and Drainage Characteristics of Expansive
Soil Stabilized with Fly Ash and Dolochar
S. K. Mohanty . P. K. Pradhan . C. R. Mohanty
Received: 29 January 2016 / Accepted: 11 July 2016 / Published online: 18 July 2016
 Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
Abstract Expansive soils undergo alternate swel-
ling and shrinkage due to cyclic wetting and drying
when left to nature. This property of Expansive soil
affects its strength and stiffness characteristics thereby
causing damage and distress to structures built on
them. Industrial wastes can be added scientifically to
these soils in modifying and reducing their swelling
and shrinkage behaviour and increasing their strength
and stiffness. In this technical article, an attempt has
been made to study the compressibility and drainage
characteristics of these soils using economic and
ecofriendly industrial wastes such as Fly Ash and
Dolochar as stabilizers. This paper also focuses on
many other improved engineering properties of base
soil like liquid limit, plasticity index, differential free
swell, compaction and consolidation characteristics of
Expansive (BC) soil stabilized with Fly Ash and
Dolochar in different proportions. The virgin Expan-
sive soil has been collected from eastern part of India
(Odisha) and different percentages of Fly Ash (5, 10,
15, 20, 25 and 30 %) and Dolochar (5, 10, 15, 20, 25
S. K. Mohanty (&)
P. K. Pradhan
C. R. Mohanty
Civil Engineering Department, Veer Surendra Sai
University of Technology, Burla, Sambalpur 768 018,
India
e-mail: md@smcindia.com
P. K. Pradhan
e-mail: pkpradhan1@yahoo.co.in
C. R. Mohanty
e-mail: chitta123@yahoo.com
and 30 %) were added to it, to predict the influence of
these additives on compaction and consolidation
characteristics of Expansive soil. Addition of both
Fly Ash and Dolochar were found to decrease the
index properties such as liquid limit, plastic limit,
plasticity index, swelling index and enhancing the
consolidation as well as drainage characteristics of
Expansive soil. However, the maximum dry density of
soil was found to decrease with addition of Fly Ash
and increase with addition of Dolochar.
Keywords Compressibility
Compression index

Consolidation
Differential free swell index

Drainage
Stabilization
1 Introduction
Soil having expansive and shrinkage characteristics
are generally the poorest/weakest engineering mate-
rial to sustain structural loads. Generally foundation
resting on this soil fails, as it looses its strength and
stiffness due to expansion and contraction on cyclic
wetting and drying. Expansive soil covers nearly one-
fifth of Indian sub-continent.
Geo-technical engineers always face a great chal-
lenge on how to improve the strength parameters of
these soils through various innovative and economical
techniques. These techniques involve controlled com-
paction, proportioning and/or addition of
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suitable waste products such as Fly Ash, Dolochar,
ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), lime
dust, silica fumes, quarry dust and rice husk etc. These
waste products are generally dumped near industrial
units which cause environmental hazards. But these
wastes produce strong covalent bonds when mixed
with soil. Fly Ash and Dolochar are common waste
products in Odisha, which can be used as additives in
improving engineering characteristics of Expansive
soil.
The influence of industrial wastes such as Fly Ash
and Dolochar on the engineering properties of Expan-
sive soil has been thoroughly investigated by many
researchers in the recent past.
Sridharan et al. (1997) studied the effect of fly ash
on the unconfined strength of black cotton soil. With
varying percentage of lime content they had shown
that at very low lime contents, sufficient strength can
be achieved for a soilreactive fly ash mixture which
cannot be attained for soils without fly ash. Phaniku-
mar and Sharma (2004) studied the effect of fly ash on
engineering properties of Expansive soil through
experiments and shown that swelling capacity of
Expansive soil is reduced and mechanical capacity is
improved.
Similarly, many other researchers like Cokca
(2001), Edil et al. (2006), Bera et al. (2007), Sharma
et al. (2008), Zha et al. (2008), Solanki et al. (2009),
Brooks et al. (2010), Hossain and Mol (2011), Seco
et al. (2011), Bose (2012), Mishra (2012), Singh and
Goswami (2012), Mir and Sridharan (2014), Sivapul-
laiah and Jha (2014), Kang et al. (2015), Kolay and
Ramesh (2016) and many others have studied the
improvement of various engineering properties of
Expansive soil on addition of Fly Ash and have shown
that Fly Ash is an useful additive to Expansive soil.
But in eastern India mainly in Odisha, no such major
works have been reported on soil stabilization using

Table 1 Properties of Engineering properties Expansive soil Fly Ash Dolochar

Expansive soil, Fly Ash and
Dolochar Sieve analysis (dry and wet)
204.75 mm (%) 0 0 0
4.752 mm (%) 0 0 27.76
2 mm425 l (%) 0.12 0.31 53.95
42575 l (%) 0.35 15.19 10.59
752 l (%) 59.53 77.0 7.7
\2 l (%) 40 7.5 0
Liquid limit (%) 56 43 18
Plastic limit (%) 28
Plasticity index (%) 28 Non plastic Non plastic
Shrinkage limit (%) 16.81
Shrinkage ratio (%) 1.765
Specific gravity 2.69 2.470 3.22
Differential free swelling index (%) 60 0 0
D60 in mm 0.008 0.0498 1.5
D50 in mm 0.0055 0.018 1.2
D30 in mm 0.0095 0.7
D10 in mm 0.0025 0.2
Maximum dry density (kN/m3) 17.8 12.2 26.34
Optimum moisture content (%) 16.1 35.0 6.7
Compression index Cc 0.298
Co-efficient of volume change mv (m2/kN) 0.39 9 10-3
Co-efficient of compressibility av (m2/kN) 2.43 9 10-3
Coefficient of consolidation Cv (m2/min) 1.31 9 10-6
Co-efficient of permeability (m/min) 0.51 9 10-8

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Fig. 1 Grain size

100.0
distribution curves
90.0
Expansive Soil Fly Ash Dolochar
80.0

70.0

60.0

% Finer
50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10
Particle Size in mm

Fig. 2 Scanning electron microscope test result of Expansive soil. a Image of soil particles, b intensity of minerals of soil

industrial wastes such as Fly Ash and Dolochar.
Present investigation involves the improvement of
engineering properties mainly strength characteristics
of Expansive soils by using Fly Ash and Dolochar
under controlled conditions.
This technical paper aims at studying the influence
of Fly Ash and Dolochar on compaction and consol-
idation characteristics of Expansive soil which can
satisfactorily be used for construction of road,
pavements, foundations, etc. after adopting scientific
and systematic method of stabilization.
2 Laboratory Investigations Programme
Expansive soil possesses high compressibility on
wetting and poor drainage characteristics, which can
be improved by adding Fly Ash and Dolochar. The

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objective of the present investigation is to analyze the 1. Characterization of the Expansive soil and
behavior of local Expansive soil with the addition of additives.
Fly Ash and Dolochar in different proportions. The 2. Studying the index and compaction characteristics
additives such as Fly Ash and Dolochar were added to of blended samples.
the virgin Expansive soil in different percentages from 3. Studying the consolidation and drainage charac-
5 to 30 % by dry weight of virgin soil at an increment teristics of blended samples.
of 5 %. 4. Analyzing the test results.
The present investigation was carried out through
following steps:
2.1 Materials Used and Properties

Table 2 Presence of minerals in Expansive soil The virgin Expansive soil was collected from the eastern
part of India (Balasore district of Odisha) by excavating
Minerals % By weight
the ground up to 0.5 m depth, thus removing the top soil.
C as CaCO3 45.68 As per IS:1498, the collected Expansive soil was
O as SiO2 39.54 classified as highly compressible clay (CH). The
Na 0.22 additive materials such as Fly Ash and Dolochar
Mg as MgO 0.38 (industrial wastes) were collected from the industries
Al as Al2O3 2.81 namely, BIRLA Tyres Ltd., Balasore and ISPAT Alloys
Si as SiO2 7.60 Ltd., Balasore respectively. Various tests were con-
Cl as KCl 0.09 ducted on the collected virgin soil (Expansive soil),
K as feldspar 0.69 industrial wastes (Fly Ash and Dolochar used as
Ca as wollastonite 0.08 additives) and blended samples (Soil-Fly Ash and
Ti 0.15 Soil-Dolochar) for their characterization.
Fe 2.55 The properties of virgin soil (Expansive Soil) and
Cu 0.21 additives (Fly Ash and Dolochar) are reported in the
Table 1. The Fig. 1 shows the grain size distribution

Soil

4000

2000

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Position [2Theta] (Copper (Cu))

Fig. 3 X-ray diffraction test result on Expansive soil

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of Expansive Soil and additives (Fly Ash and
Dolochar).
2.1.1 Expansive Soil
From the grain size analysis (Table 1) of the Expan-
sive soil, it is seen that the 99.53 % (Silt content
59.53 % and Clay content 40 %) of the virgin soil
(Expansive soil) is passing through the 75 l IS sieve.
This shows that the Expansive soil chosen for the
experiment is fine-grained soil. The soil parti-
cles \ 2 l size is generally having large specific
surface of area. The Expansive soil under study has
particle (clay) content \ 2 l size is 40 %, and these
have very large specific surface area. As a result the
Expansive soil under experiment is highly plastic.
From the Table 1, it is also seen that the differential
Table 3 Chemical characteristics of Fly Ash
Characteristics Percent (%) by mass
free swell index (DFS) of the Expansive soil is 60 %
which reveals that its degree of expansion is very high.
Hence, the characteristics of soil under experiment is
fine grained with high plasticity and high expansive in
nature.
Since it is highly plastic, its water holding capacity
is also high. The optimum moisture content (OMC) of
the Expansive soil is 16.1 % whereas its maximum dry
density (MDD) is 17.8 kN/m3. The plasticity index of
the Expansive soil is high (28 %), as a result its
compressibility is also high.
The Expansive soil was subjected to scanning
electron microscopic (SEM) test. The SEM view of
Expansive soil is presented in Fig. 2a, b to estimate the
particle size and shape. The mineralogical analysis is
also reported in the Table 2. Figure 3 shows the test
result of X-ray diffraction tests. The angularity of soil
particles fall between 1.054 and 1.25; which shows
that the particles are sub-angular in nature. Many
particles are roughly rounded in nature.

SiO2 50.62 2.1.2 Fly Ash

Al2O3 25.15
Fe2O3 3.62 The sand, silt and clay contents of the Fly Ash are 15.5,
SiO2 ? Al2O3 ? Fe2O3 79.39 77 and 7.5 % respectively. Due to the low clay
Total Ca as CaO 0.062 content, Fly Ash is non-plastic in nature. The Fly Ash
MgO 0.209 is also non-expansive in nature (DFS is 0 %). Since
Sulphur as SO3 0.016 Fly Ash is an industrial waste material, it is very
Loss of ignition 3.81 important to determine its chemical composition as
Moisture content 2.04 well as its class. Table 3, presents the chemical
composition of Fly Ash.

Fig. 4 Scanning electron microscopic view of Fly Ash. a Image of Fly Ash particle, b intensity of minerals of Fly Ash

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Birla

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Position [2Theta] (Copper (Cu))

Fig. 5 X-ray diffraction test result of Fly Ash

2.7 2.9

2.68
2.85
2.66
Specic gravity
Specic gravity

2.8
2.64

2.62 2.75

2.6
2.7

2.58
2.65
2.56 0 10 20 30 40
0 10 20 30 40
Dolochar content (%)
Fly Ash content (%)
Fig. 7 Specific gravity of Expansive soil stabilized with
Fig. 6 Specific gravity of Expansive soil stabilized with Fly Dolochar
Ash

The Fly Ash under experiment is Class F. The
scanning electron microscopic view and X-ray diffrac-
tion test results on Fly Ash are presented in Figs. 4a, b
and 5 respectively. The angularity of Fly Ash particles
lies between 1.154 and 1.711. This shows that the
particles are sub-angular in nature. Many particles are
roughly rounded.
2.1.3 Dolochar
Collected Dolochar samples were broken into smaller
particles and sieved through 4.75 mm IS sieve. The
materials passing through 4.75 mm IS sieve are taken
for the testing purpose. Dolochar is a by-product of
sponge iron and it has no clay content. From Table 1, it
is seen that the Dolochar is non-plastic and non-
expansive in nature. The specific gravity of Dolochar
is more than Expansive soil (under study) because
Dolochar is a by-product of sponge iron. The details of
engineering properties of Dolochar are reported in
Table 1.
2.2 Planning of Experiments
For this research work, initially Expansive soil was
collected from regions of Eastern India. Commonly
available industrial wastes such as Fly Ash and
Dolochar were also collected from the local industries.
The collected soil sample and additives were tested for
determining their index and compaction properties.

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Table 4 Consistency characteristics of Expansive soil, Fly Ash and blended samples
Sample reference Liquid limit (%) Plastic limit (%) Plasticity index (%) Shrinkage limit (%)

Soil 56 28 28 16.81
Only Fly Ash 43 Non plastic
95 % soil ? 5 % Fly Ash 53 23.7 29.3 18.65
90 % soil ? 10 % Fly Ash 52.25 24.31 27.94 19.79
85 % soil ? 15 % Fly Ash 51.44 28.31 23.13 23.93
80 % soil ? 20 % Fly Ash 49.5 29.47 20.03 25.45
75 % soil ? 25 % Fly Ash 49.23 31.73 17.5 26.34
70 % soil ? 30 % Fly Ash 48.75 31.96 16.79 29.26

Table 5 Consistency characteristics of Expansive soil, Dolochar and blended samples

Sample reference Liquid limit (%) Plastic limit (%) Plasticity index (%) Shrinkage limit (%)

Only soil 56 28 28 16.81

Only Dolochar 18 Non plastic
95 % soil ? 5 % Dolochar 56 27 29 14.71
90 % soil ? 10 % Dolochar 53.5 25 28.5 13.89
85 % soil ? 15 % Dolochar 52 24 28 16.86
80 % soil ? 20 % Dolochar 51.8 25 26.8 13.86
75 % soil ? 25 % Dolochar 46.2 23 23.2 12.29
70 % soil ? 30 % Dolochar 45 22 23 11.4

60
60
50 50
Water content (%)
Water content (%)

40
40 Liquid Limit
Liquid Limit 30 Plasc Limit
30 Plasc Limit 20 Plascity Limit
20 Plascity Index 10 Shrinkage Limit
Shrinkage Limit
10 0
0 10 20 30 40
0 Dolochar content (%)
0 10 20 30 40
Fly Ash content (%) Fig. 9 Consistency limits of Expansive soil stabilized with
Dolochar
Fig. 8 Consistency limits of Expansive soil stabilized with Fly
Ash

The collected soil sample was also tested for deter-
mining its consolidation and drainage characteristics.
All tests were conducted as per Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS).
Fly Ash and Dolochar were added to the virgin
Expansive soil in different percentages by dry weight
of Expansive soil at 5 % increment up to 30 %. All the
index properties of the blended samples were deter-
mined following the standard BIS methods. Optimum
Moisture Content (OMC) and Maximum Dry Density
(MDD) for each blended sample were determined by
Standard Proctor method. For consolidation test,
blended samples were remoulded at their respective
OMC and MDD conditions.

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3 Results and Discussions 3.2 Consistency Characteristics

3.1 Specific Gravity The consistency limits and plasticity characteristics of

The specific gravity of virgin Expansive soil was
determined to be 2.69 whereas for Fly Ash it was 2.47.
After addition of Fly Ash to virgin Expansive soil, the
specific gravity of blended soil samples were found to
decrease (Fig. 6). This decrease is due to the replace-
ment of Expansive soil (heavier particles, specific
gravity 2.69) by same amount of Fly Ash (lighter
particles, specific gravity 2.47).
The specific gravity of virgin Expansive soil was
determined to be 2.69 whereas for Dolochar it was
3.22. From Fig. 7, it is seen that the specific gravity
of blended soil samples were found to increase with
increase of Dolochar content. This is because of the
replacement of Expansive soil (lighter particles,
specific gravity 2.69) by same amount of Dolochar
(heavier particles, specific gravity 3.22).
Expansive soil blended with Fly Ash and Dolochar
samples are summarized in Tables 4 and 5
respectively.
In Table 4, it is seen that the liquid limits (LL) of
blended samples decreased with increase of Fly Ash
content. The plastic limit and shrinkage limit
increased with increase of Fly Ash content. The
plasticity indices are gradually decreased with the
increase of Fly Ash content in the virgin Expansive
soil.
Fly Ash is a non-plastic material and its water
holding capacity is less than that of virgin Expan-
sive soil (LL of Expansive soil is 56 % and Fly Ash
has 43 % LL). So water holding capacities of
blended samples are gradually decreased with the
increase in Fly Ash content. As a result, the LL of
blended samples are gradually decreased with the

Table 7 Swelling characteristics of Expansive soil, Dolochar

Table 6 Swelling characteristics of Expansive soil, Fly Ash and blended samples
and blended samples Sample reference Differential free swelling (%)
Sample reference Differential free swelling (%)
Only soil 60.00
Only soil 60.00 Only Dolochar 0.00
Only Fly Ash 0.00 95 % soil ? 5 % Dolochar 60.00
95 % soil ? 5 % Fly Ash 36.36 90 % soil ? 10 % Dolochar 55.56
90 % soil ? 10 % Fly Ash 27.27 85 % soil ? 15 % Dolochar 44.44
85 % soil ? 15 % Fly Ash 21.74 80 % soil ? 20 % Dolochar 44.44
80 % soil ? 20 % Fly Ash 16.67 75 % soil ? 25 % Dolochar 30.0
75 % soil ? 25 % Fly Ash 12.5 70 % soil ? 30 % Dolochar 30.0
70 % soil ? 30 % Fly Ash 8.33

70

70 60
60
50
50
40
DFS (%)
DFS (%)

40
30
30
20
20

10 10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Fly Ash content (%) Dolochar content (%)

Fig. 10 Differential free swell of Expansive soil stabilized with Fig. 11 Differential free swell of Expansive soil stabilized with
Fly Ash Dolochar

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Fig. 12 Test results of 18

proctor compaction of virgin
Expansive soil and soil-Fly
17.5
Ash blended samples
5% Fly ash content
17

Dry density (kN/m3)

10% Fly ash content
16.5
15% Fly ash content

16 20% Fly ash content

25% Fly ash content
15.5
30% Fly ash content
15 Virgin soil

14.5
0 10 20 30
Moisture content (%)

Fig. 13 Test results of 21

proctor compaction of virgin
Expansive soil and soil- 20.5
Dolochar blended samples
20
5% Dolochar content
Dry density (kN/m3)

19.5
10% Dolochar content
19
15% Dolochar content
18.5
20% Dolochar content
18
25% Dolochar content
17.5
30% Dolochar content
17
Virgin soil
16.5
0 10 20 30
Moisture content (%)

Table 8 Influence of Fly Sample reference Optimum moisture content (%) Maximum dry density (kN/m3)
Ash on compaction
characteristics Only soil 16.1 17.8
Only Fly Ash 35 12.2
95 % soil ? 5 % Fly Ash 16.4 17.6
90 % soil ? 10 % Fly Ash 19.6 17.45
85 % soil ? 15 % Fly Ash 21.5 17.0
80 % soil ? 20 % Fly Ash 23.2 16.49
75 % soil ? 25 % Fly Ash 23.4 16.0
70 % soil ? 30 % Fly Ash 24.45 15.94

increase in Fly Ash content. Due to the increase of increased and plasticity index decreased. Figure 8
Fly Ash content in blended samples, the non-plastic show the consistency properties of Fly Ash blended
characteristics increase, as a results plastic limit soil samples.

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Fig. 14 Compaction 30 18
characteristics of Expansive
soil stabilized with Fly Ash 25 17.5

20

MDD (kN/m3)
OMC (%)
17
15
16.5
10
16
5

0 15.5
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Fly Ash content (%) Fly Ash content (%)

In Table 5, it is seen that the liquid limits (LL) of
blended samples decreased with increase in Dolochar
content. The plastic limit, plasticity index and shrink-
age limit gradually decreased with increase of
Dolochar content.
Dolochar is a non-plastic material and its water
holding capacity is less than that of the virgin
Expansive soil (LL of Expansive soil is 56 % and
Dolochar has 18 %). So water holding capacity of
blended samples is gradually decreased with increase
in Dolochar content. As a result, the LL of blended
samples are gradually decreased with the increase in
Dolochar content. Due to the increase in Dolochar
content in blended samples, the plastic limit and
plasticity index gradually decreased.
Figure 9 shows the consistency properties of
Dolochar blended soil samples.
3.3 Expansive Characteristics

Table 9 Influence of Dolochar on compaction characteristics

The differential free swell (DFS) of virgin Expansive
Sample reference OMC (%) MDD (kN/m3) soil sample was found to be 60 % which shows it to be
highly expansive in nature whereas the DFS of Fly
Only soil 16.1 17.8
Ash and Dolochar were found to be 0 %, indicating
Only Dolochar 6.7 26.34
Fly ash and Dolochar used were not expansive.
95 % soil ? 5 % Dolochar 15.5 18.2
With addition of Fly Ash, the DFS decreased which
90 % soil ? 10 % Dolochar 16.0 18.5
is revealed from Table 6 and Fig. 10. With addition of
85 % soil ? 15 % Dolochar 15 19.0
30 % of Fly Ash, DFS of stabilized soil decreased to
80 % soil ? 20 % Dolochar 14.4 19.4
8.33 %.
75 % soil ? 25 % Dolochar 12.37 19.95
Similarly with addition of Dolochar, the DFS of
70 % soil ? 30 % Dolochar 11.2 20.5
blended samples were observed to decrease (Table 7).

Fig. 15 Compaction 20 21
characteristics of Expansive 20.5
soil stabilized with Dolochar
MDD (kN/m3)

15 20
OMC (%)

19.5
10
19
18.5
5
18
0 17.5
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Dolochar content (%) Dolochar contenet (%)

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Fig. 16 Test results of 0.9

consolidation of virgin
0.8
Expansive soil and soil-Fly
Ash blended samples 0.7 Virgin soil
0.6 5% y ash content

Void rao
0.5 10% y ash content
0.4 15% y ash content
0.3 20% y ash content
0.2 25% y ash content
0.1
30% y ash content
0
1 10 100 1000
Eecve pressure (KPa)

Fig. 17 Test results of 0.700

consolidation of virgin
Expansive soil and soil- 0.600
Dolochar blended samples Virgin soil
0.500
5% Dolochar content
Void rao

0.400 10% Dolochar content

0.300 15% Dolochar content

0.200 20% Dolochar content

25% Dolochar content

0.100
30% Dolochar content
0.000
1 10 100 1000
Eecve pressure (KPa)

This decrease in DFS value was found to be 50 % of
virgin soil at Dolochar content 30 % (Fig. 11).
This shows that the reduction in swelling potential
of Expansive soil mixed with Fly Ash is more than that
of the soil blended with Dolochar.
3.4 Compaction Characteristics
As per IS: 2720 (Part-8), a series of standard Proctor
compaction tests were conducted with virgin Expan-
sive soil and soil blended with Fly Ash at different
percentages. The results are presented in Fig. 12.
Similarly, a series of standard proctor compaction
tests were conducted with virgin Expansive soil and
soil blended with Dolochar at different percentages
and the results are presented in Fig. 13.
From the Table 8 it is observed that the OMC and
MDD of virgin Expansive soil sample are found to be
16.1 % and 17.8 kN/m3 respectively, whereas the
OMC and MDD of Fly Ash are 35 % and 12.2 kN/m3
respectively. From Table 8 and Fig. 14, it is observed
that with increase in Fly Ash content in the blended
soil sample, the OMC of blended soil sample increased
whereas MDD of the blended soil sample decreased.
As the specific gravity of blended samples are
decreased with the increase in Fly ash content, as a
result the MDD of blended samples are decreased with
the increase of Fly Ash content. As OMC of Fly Ash is
higher (35 %) than that of soil (16.1 %), the OMC of
blended samples are increased with the increase in Fly
Ash content. At 30 % Fly ash content, OMC is
24.45 % and MDD is 15.94 kN/m3. Table 8 and
Fig. 14 show the influence of Fly Ash content on the
compaction characteristics of blended soil samples.
Table 9 and Fig. 15 show the variation of OMC and
MDD with addition of Dolochar to virgin Expansive soil.
The OMC and MDD of the virgin Expansive soil
sample were determined to be 16. % and 17.8 kN/m3

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Table 10 Consolidation and drainage characteristics of Expansive soil stabilized with Fly Ash
Sample Compression Co-efficient of volume Co-efficient of Coefficient of Co-efficient of
reference index Cc change mv (m2/kN) compressibility av consolidation Cv permeability K
(m2/kN) (m2/min) (m/min)

Only soil 0.298 0.39 9 10-3 2.43 9 10-3 1.31 9 10-6 0.51 9 10-8
-3 -3 -6
95 % 0.229 0.31 9 10 1.87 9 10 2.05 9 10 0.63 9 10-8
soil ? 5 %
Fly Ash
90 % 0.173 0.31 9 10-3 1.41 9 10-3 2.25 9 10-6 0.70 9 10-8
soil ? 10 %
Fly Ash
85 % 0.168 0.30 9 10-3 1.37 9 10-3 2.60 9 10-6 0.78 9 10-8
soil ? 15 %
Fly Ash
80 % 0.148 0.29 9 10-3 1.21 9 10-3 2.78 9 10-6 0.81 9 10-8
soil ? 20 %
Fly Ash
75 % 0.140 0.29 9 10-3 1.14 9 10-3 3.02 9 10-6 0.88 9 10-8
soil ? 25 %
Fly Ash
70 % 0.136 0.29 9 10-3 1.11 9 10-3 3.55 9 10-6 1.03 9 10-8
soil ? 30 %
Fly Ash

Table 11 Consolidation and drainage characteristics of Expansive soil stabilized with Dolochar
Sample reference Compression Co-efficient of volume Co-efficient of Coefficient of Co-efficient of
index Cc change mv (m2/kN) compressibility av consolidation Cv permeability K
(m2/kN) (m2/min) (m/min)

Only soil 0.298 0.39 9 10-3 2.43 9 10-3 1.31 9 10-6 0.51 9 10-8
-3 -3 -6
95 % soil ? 5 % 0.222 0.32 9 10 1.81 9 10 2.19 9 10 0.70 9 10-8
Dolochar
90 % 0.187 0.31 9 10-3 1.53 9 10-3 2.23 9 10-6 0.70 9 10-8
soil ? 10 %
Dolochar
85 % 0.186 0.30 9 10-3 1.52 9 10-3 2.44 9 10-6 0.73 9 10-8
soil ? 15 %
Dolochar
80 % 0.183 0.30 9 10-3 1.49 9 10-3 2.83 9 10-6 0.85 9 10-8
soil ? 20 %
Dolochar
75 % 0.160 0.30 9 10-3 1.31 9 10-3 3.45 9 10-6 1.03 9 10-8
soil ? 25 %
Dolochar
70 % 0.155 0.30 9 10-3 1.26 9 10-3 3.75 9 10-6 1.12 9 10-8
soil ? 30 %
Dolochar

respectively, whereas the OMC and MDD of Dolochar blended sample by decreasing the same percentage of
were 6.7 % and 26.34 kN/m3 respectively. But when soil by weight, the OMC of soil sample decreased and
the percentage of Dolochar content is increased in simultaneously MDD increased. As the specific

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2016) 34:14351451 1447

gravity of blended samples are increased with the
increase in Dolochar content, as a result the MDD of
blended samples are increased with the increase in
Dolochar content. As OMC of Dolochar is lesser
(6.7 %) than that of soil (16.1 %), the OMC of blended
samples are decreased with the increase in Dolochar
content At 30 % Dolochar content, OMC is 11.2 %
and MDD is 20.5 kN/m3.
From Figs. 14 and 15, it can also be observed that
higher MDD at lesser OMC is obtained in Expansive
soil blended with Dolochar in comparison to soil
blended with Fly Ash. It is due to the fact that
Dolochar particles are heavier than that of Fly ash.
3.5 Influence on Consolidation Characteristics
As per IS: 2720 (Part-15), a series of consolidation
tests were conducted with virgin Expansive soil and
soil blended with Fly Ash in different percentages at
their respective maximum dry density. Results of these
tests are presented in Fig. 16. Similarly, a series of
consolidation tests were also conducted on soil
blended with Dolochar at different percentages at
their respective maximum dry densities. Results of
these tests are presented in Fig. 17.
Consolidation tests of virgin Expansive soil and
blended samples (Soil-Fly Ash and Soil-Dolochar)
were conducted at their respective OMC and MDD
conditions.
The consolidation properties such as compression
index Cc, Co-efficient of volume change mv, Co-
efficient of compressibility av, Coefficient of con-
solidation Cv and Co-efficient of permeability
(drainage properties) of virgin Expansive soil and
blended samples are presented in Tables 10 and 11.
Figure 18 shows the variation in consolidation
characteristics with increase in Fly Ash content in the
blended samples. The compression index, co-efficient
of volume change and co-efficient of compressibility
of blended samples are decreased with increase in Fly
Ash content. It is due to the decrease in plastic
characteristics of blended samples with the increase in
Fly Ash content. The co-efficient of consolidation of
blended samples are gradually increased with increase
in Fly Ash content. This is because when the Fly Ash
content is increased in the blended soil samples, the

Fig. 18 Consolidation 0.35 0.45

characteristics of Expansive 0.3 0.4
soil stabilized with Fly Ash
0.35
mv ( 1x10-3 m2/kN)

0.25
0.3
0.2
0.25
Cc

0.15 0.2
0.1 0.15

0.05 0.1
0.05
0
0 10 20 30 40 0
0 10 20 30 40
Fly Ash content (%)
Fly Ash content (%)
3 4

3.5
2.5
3
av ( 1x10-3 m2/kN)

Cv (1x10-8 m/min)

2
2.5

1.5 2

1.5
1
1
0.5 0.5

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Fly Ash content (%) Fly Ash content (%)

123
1448 Geotech Geol Eng (2016) 34:14351451

Fig. 19 Consolidation 0.35 0.45

characteristics of Expansive 0.4
0.3
soil stabilized with Dolochar 0.35
0.25

mv ( 1x10-3 m2/kN)
0.3
0.2 0.25

Cc
0.15 0.2
0.15
0.1
0.1
0.05
0.05
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Dolochar content (%) Dolochar content (%)

4
3
3.5
2.5
3

Cv (1x10-8 m/min)
av ( 1x10-3 m2/kN)

2 2.5

1.5 2
1.5
1
1
0.5
0.5
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
Dolochar content (%) Dolochar content (%)

1.2 1.2

1
1
K (1x10-8 m/min)

0.8
K (1x10-8 m/min)

0.8 0.6

0.4
0.6
0.2
0.4
0
0 10 20 30 40
0.2 Dolochar content (%)

0 Fig. 21 Drainage characteristics of Expansive soil stabilized

0 10 20 30 40 with Dolochar
Fly Ash content (%)

Fig. 20 Drainage characteristics of Expansive soil stabilized
with Fly Ash
plastic characteristics of blended samples are
decreased. As a result, the compressibility of blended
samples are decreased and hence the time required for
90 % consolidation is also decreased.
Figure 19 shows the variation in consolidation
characteristics with increase in Dolochar content in the
blended samples. The compression index, co-efficient
of volume change and co-efficient of compressibility
of blended samples is decreased with increase in
Dolochar content. It is due to the decrease in plastic
characteristics of blended samples with the increase in

123
Geotech Geol Eng (2016) 34:14351451 1449

Dolochar content. The co-efficient of consolidation of 30 % at an increment of 5 % by dry weight of virgin

blended samples are gradually increased with the Expansive soil as per existing practice. Based on the
increase in Dolochar content. This is because when the test results obtained during the study, following
Dolochar content is increased in the blended soil conclusions have been interpreted.
samples, the plastic characteristics of blended samples
are decreased. As a result the compressibility of 4.1 Addition of Fly Ash
blended samples are decreased and hence the time
required for 90 % consolidation is also decreased.
With increase in Fly Ash content, Liquid Limit
Table 10 and Fig. 20 show the variation in drainage
(LL) and Plasticity Index (PI) of the virgin
properties with increase in Fly Ash content in the
Expansive soil were found to decrease. At 30 %
blended samples. The co-efficient of permeability of
Fly Ash content, Liquid Limit was found to
blended samples gradually increased with the increase
decrease by 12.95 % and plasticity index
in Fly Ash content. This is because when Fly Ash is
decreased by 40 % in comparison with that of
mixed with the fine particles of virgin Expansive soil,
virgin Expansive soil.
it forms a granular matrix of bigger size in blended
At 30 % Fly Ash content the swelling potential of
samples. Simultaneously plastic and cohesion charac-
the virgin Expansive soil decreased by around
teristics of blended samples gradually decreased with
86 %.
the increase in Fly Ash content. The co-efficient of
Optimum moisture content (OMC) of the blended
permeability at 30 % Fly Ash content of blended
samples are increased whereas maximum dry
sample was found to be 1.03 9 10-8 m/min.
density (MDD) decreased simultaneously.
Table 11 and Fig. 21 show the variation in drainage
With addition of Fly Ash, the compression index
properties with increase in Dolochar content in the
(Cc), co-efficient of volume change (mv) and co-
blended samples. The co-efficient of permeability of
efficient of compressibility (av) gradually
blended samples gradually increased with the increase
decreased with the increase in Fly Ash content in
in Dolochar content. The reason that when Dolochar is
blended samples. But the co-efficient of consoli-
mixed with the fine particles of virgin Expansive soil,
dation (cv) gradually increased with the increase in
it forms a granular matrix of bigger size of blended
percentage of Fly Ash content in blended samples.
samples. Simultaneously plasticity and cohesion char-
At the 30 % Fly Ash content, the compression
acteristics of blended samples gradually decreased
index decreased by 54 %, co-efficient of volume
with the increase in Dolochar content. The co-efficient
change decreased by 26 % and co-efficient of
of permeability at 30 % Dolochar content of blended
compressibility decreased by 54 % to that of virgin
sample was found to be 1.12 9 10-8 m/min.
Expansive soil.
It can also be observed from Figs. 20 and 21 that at
The drainage properties of the Expansive soil
same percentage of additives, sample blended with
increased with the increase in Fly Ash content at
Dolochar is having higher permeability than the
different percentages in the Expansive soil. At
sample blended with Fly Ash. It is due to the size of
30 % Fly Ash content, the co-efficient of perme-
Dolochar particle is bigger than that of Fly Ash
ability (K) increased by 102 % to that of virgin
particle.
Expansive soil.
All these changes in the mechanical and drainage
characteristics of blended samples have been
4 Conclusion
explained scientifically in details in the body of
the text (in the results and discussion portion).
In this technical article the influence of Fly Ash and
Dolochar on mechanical as well as drainage properties
of local Expansive soil have been discussed in details 4.2 Addition of Dolochar
in the above paragraphs. The mechanical and drainage
characteristics of the Expansive soil are improved with
Liquid limit gradually decreased with increase in
the addition of Fly Ash and Dolochar at different
Dolochar content. The decrease was around 20 %
percentages. Fly Ash and Dolochar were added up to

123
1450
at 30 % Dolochar content. Similarly the plasticity
index decreased by around 18 % at this Dolochar
content.
Swelling potential gradually decreased with addi-
tion of Dolochar to the virgin Expansive soil. The
decrease was around 50 % at 30 % Dolochar
content.
OMC decreased with increase in Dolochar content
and MDD simultaneously increased.
With addition of Dolochar, the compression index,
co-efficient of volume change and co-efficient of
compressibility gradually decreased with the
increase in percentage of Dolochar content in
blended samples. But the co-efficient of consoli-
dation gradually increased with the increase in
percentage of Dolochar content in blended sam-
ples. At the 30 % Dolochar content, the compres-
sion index decreased by 48 %, co-efficient of
volume change decreased by 23 % and co-efficient
of compressibility decreased by 48 % to that of
virgin Expansive soil.
The co-efficient of permeability of the expansive
soil increased with the increase in Dolochar
content at different percentages in the Expansive
soil. At 30 % Expansive soil, the co-efficient of
permeability increased by around 120 % in com-
parison to that of virgin Expansive soil.
All these changes in the mechanical and drainage
characteristics of blended samples have been
explained scientifically in details in the body of
the text (in the results and discussion section of this
article)
4.3 Recommendation
By the addition of 30 % Fly Ash or 30 % Dolochar
into the local Expansive soil, the consolidation and
drainage characteristics of local Expansive soil
decreases and increases respectively. So the local
Expansive soil can be used in the construction of road
embankment by the addition of 30 % Fly Ash or 30 %
Dolochar.
Acknowledgments We express our deep gratitude to Dr.
Hemanta Kumar Dash, Civil Engineering Department, College
of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar for his valuable
suggestions and corrections during the preparation of this
technical paper.
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Geotech Geol Eng (2016) 34:14351451
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