166 Q 1 D 1916

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF STEEL SLAG
AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE PAVEMENT

A thesis submitted to the
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
In partial fulfilment of the award of the degree of
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
In
SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING ENGINEERING
By
D.S.S.S. ANNAPURNA
(166Q1D1916)
Under the guidance of

Mrs. P MEHER LAVANYA, M.Tech
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Civil Engineering
KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

(Approved by AICTE New Delhi &Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada)
Yanam Road, Matlapalem, Talarevu Mandal, Korangi, Andhra Pradesh-533461.
JUNE 2018
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

KAKINADA – 533003
KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING
&TECHNOLOGY
(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Affiliated to JNT University, Kakinada)
KORANGI
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project work entitled “AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON
EFFECT OF STEEL SLAG AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE
PAVEMENT” being submitted by D.S.S.S. ANNAPURNA (166Q1D1916) in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree Master of Technology in SOIL
MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING ENGINEERING to the
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada is a record of bonafide work carried
out by her under my guidance and supervision. The results in this thesis have not been
submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any degree.
roject Guide Head of the Department
Mrs. P.MEHAR LAVANYA, M.Tech; Dr.Ch. BAVANARAYANA, Ph.D
Assistant Professor Professor
External Examiner
KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING &TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
M.TECH THESIS EVELUATION REPORT

This Thesis Entitled AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF STEEL SLAG
AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE PAVEMENT” Being Submitted By
D.S.S.S. ANNAPURNA Bearing Registered No.166Q1D1916 Of 2016-2018 Batch In Partial
Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Award Of The Degree Of MASTER OF
TECHNOLOGY In SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING, JNTU
KAKINADA Has Been Approved
.
Examiners
1. Project Guide
P.Meher Lavaanya, M.Tech
Assistant Professor …………………………
2. Head Of The Department
Dr. Ch. Bavanarayana
Professor ………………………….
3.External Professor …………………………….

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude and respect towards my project guide Mrs.P.
MEHAR LAVANYA, M.Tech. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Kakinada Institute of engineering and technology-II, for his excellent guidance right from the
section of project and his valuable suggestions throughout the project work. It would be very
difficult to complete this project without his timely help and tremendous support.
Immense thanks are due to Dr. Ch. BAVANARAYANA, Head of the Department, Civil
Engineering Department, for his valuable suggestions and providing the facilities in the
Department.
I am extremely indebted to Mrs. P. MEHER LAVANYA in Civil Engineering Department

for his timely invaluable and suggestions of project co-ordinator for this project work.
I express my sincere thanks to Dr. A.RAVI KUMAR, Principal, in Civil Engineering

Department of KIET Engineering College, for giving us this opportunity.
I express my sincere thanks to our beloved MANAGEMENT, for providing support and
stimulating environment for developing the project.
I am much thankful to the Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff who helped in gathering the
needed information.
I express my sincere thanks to my parents and almighty for giving this opportunity.
With Sincere regards,
D.S.S.S. Annapurna
(166Q1D1916)
DECLARATION
This is to certify that the dissertation titled “AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT
OF STEEL SLAG AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE PAVEMENT” is a
bonafide work done by me, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the
degree M.Tech. In Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering and submitted to the
Department of Civil Engineering, KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING &
TECHNOLOGY, Korangi.
I also declare that this project is a result of my own effort and that has not been copied from
anyone and I have taken only citations from the sources which are mentioned in the
references.
This work was not submitted earlier at any other University or Institute for the award of any
degree.
INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER
With Sincere regards,
D.S.S.S. ANNAPURNA
(166Q1D1916)
INDEX
INDEX PG.NO’S
LIST OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
ABSTRACT 1
CHAPTER-1:INTRODUCTION 2-
15
1. Exapnsive Soil. 2
1.1 Introduction.
1.2 Characterization of Expansive Soils. 4
1.3 Remedial Measures to Overcome Problems of Expansive Soil 4
1.3.1 Stiffening of foundation and superstructure 5
1.3.2 Mat Foundation 5
1.3.3 Under reamed Pile Foundations 6
1.3.4 Cohesive Non-swelling (CNS’S) layer method 6
1.3.5 Soil Replacement 7
1.3.6 Surcharge Loading 8
1.3.7 Heat Treatment 8
1.3.8 Pre-wetting 9
1.3.9 Reinforcement Technique 9
1.4 Steel Slag 10-11
1.5 Binders 12-15
CHAPTER- 2 SOIL STABILISATION 16-21

2.1 Stabilization 16
2.2 Mechanisms of Stabilization

17 2.3 Different Type of Stabilization 17
2.3.1. Mechanical stabilization 17-18
2.3.2 Chemical stabilization 19-20
2.3.3. Geosynthetic stabilization 20-21
2.4 Objective 21
2.5 Thesis Organization 21
CHAPTER 3: REVIEW LITERATURE 22-31

3.1 Introduction 22-26
3.2 Steel Slag 26-30
3.3 Binders 30-31
CHAPTER 4: MATERIALS & METHODOLOGY 32-47
4.1 Introduction 32
4.2 Materials 32
4.2.1Soil 32
4.2.2 Steel Slag 33
4.2.3 Binders 34
4.3 Laboratory Experimentation
4.3.1 Atterberg Limits
4.3.1.1 Liquid Limit 34-36
4.3.1.2 Plastic Limit 36-37
4.3.1.3 Shrinkage Limit 38-39
4.3.2 Compaction Properties 39-41
4.3.3 Differential Free Swell 41-42
4.3.4 Strength Tests 43
(a) CBR Sample Preparation 43-44
(b) UCS Sample Preparation 45-

47
CHAPTER-5 DISCUSSIONS ON TEST RESULTS 48-56

5.1 Introduction 48
5.2 Laboratory test Results on Soil Stabilization 48
5.2.1 Effect of Additives on Atterberg Limits 49
5.2.2 Effect of Additives on DFS 51
5.2.3 Effect of Additives on MDD & OMC 52
5.2.4 Effect of Additives on CBR 53
5.2.5 Effect of Additives on Shear Strength Properties 55

5.3 Summary 56
5.4 Scope of Future Work 56
CHAPTER-6: CONCLUSIONS 57-58
REFERENCES 59-63
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE
DETAILS OF THE FIGURES
NO’S
Plate 1.1 Shows the Expansive soil
Plate 1.2 Shows the stiffening of foundation & super structure
Plate 1.3 Shows the mat foundation
Plate 1.4 Shows the CNS layer
Plate 1.5 Shows the surcharge loading
Plate 1.6 Shows the pre wetting
Plate 1.7 Shows the reinforced soil
Plate 1.8 Shows the steel slag
Plate 1.9 Shows the cement
Plate 2.1 Shows the Mechanical stabilization
Plate 2.2 Shows the chemical stabilization
Plate 2.3 Shows the geosynthetic stabilization
Plate 4.1 Shows the sample of steel slag
Plate 4.2 Shows the sample of cement
Plate 4.3 Shows the testing of liquid limit
Plate 4.4 Shows the testing of plastic limit
Plate 4.5 Sample after test
Plate 4.1 Black Cotton Soil.
Plate 4.2 Polyethylene waste.
Plate 4.3 Author Conducting Liquid Limit Test
Plate 4.4 Author Conducting Liquid Limit Test
Plate 4.5 Author Conducting Plastic Limit Test

LIST OF TABLES
Table No’s Details of the tables
Table – 1.1 Chemical constituents of Steel Slag
Table – 1.2 Chemical constituents of cement
Table – 4.1 Properties of soil
Table – 4.2 Properties of Steel Slag
Table – 5.1 Effect of Steel Slag & Cement on Index Properties of expansive soil
Table – 5.2 Effect of Steel Slag & Cement on DFC of expansive soil
Table – 5.3 Effect of Steel Slag & Cement on MDD & OMC of expansive soil
Table – 5.4 Effect of Steel Slag & Cement on CBR of expansive soil
Table – 5.5 Shows the variation of UCS with Expansive soil
Table – 5.6 Shows the Optimum Percentage of different Additives

LIST OF GRAPHS
Table No’s Details of the Graphs
Graph-1 Shows the Variation of Atterberg Limits with Expansive Soil
Graph-2 Shows the Variation of DFS with Expansive Soil
Graph-3 Shows the Variation of MDD with Expansive Soil
Graph-4 Shows the Variation of OMC with Expansive Soil
Graph-5 Shows the Variation of CBR with Expansive Soil
Graph-6 Shows the Variation of Expansive Soil

Abstract:
Expansive soils are containing the swelling minerals such as illite and
montmorillonite, they may causeextreme damage to structures, especially when these soils
are subjected to wetting and drying conditions. High expansion and reduction in shear
strength and subgrade strength will take place due to the increase in water content of these
soils. The by-product of steel slag increasing day to day with a huge quantities and it is a
major problem to disposal it.
In this work, the by-product of steel slag and binders(cement) are varying percentages
of, 0, 5, 15, 20 & 30% and 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% are added to the expansive soil to improve
the strength of the subgrade of pavements by conducting the California Bearing Ratio and
UCS
It was observed that the maximum strength attained at 20% of steel slag and 6% of
cement of additives added to the expansive soils, beyond that there is a marginal variation.
Keywords: Expansive soils, steel slag, binders, CBR and UCS.

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF STEEL SLAG & CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE
PAVEMENT
Abstract:
Expansive soils are containing the swelling minerals such as illite and
montmorillonite; they may cause extreme damage to structures, especially when these
soils are subjected to wetting and drying conditions. High expansion and reduction in
shear strength and sub grade strength will take place due to the increase in water content
of these soils. The by-product of steel slag increasing day to day with a huge quantities
and it is a major problem to disposal it.
In this work, the by-product of steel slag and binders(cement) are varying
percentages of, 0, 5, 15, 20 & 30% and 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% are added to the expansive
soil to improve the strength of the subgrade of pavements by conducting the California
Bearing Ratio and UCS
It was observed that the maximum strength attained at 20% of steel slag and 6%
of cement of additives added to the expansive soils, beyond that there is a marginal
variation.
Keywords: Expansive soils, steel slag, binders, CBR and UCS.
KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, KORANGI. Page 1

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. Expansive Soils:
1.1 Introduction:
Expansive soil is one among the problematic soils that has a high potential for
shrinking or swelling due to change of moisture content. Expansive soils can be found on
almost all the continents on the Earth. Destructive results caused by this type of soils
have been reported in many countries. In India, large tracts are covered by expansive
soils known as black cotton soils. The major area of their occurrence is the south
Vindhyachal range covering almost the entire Deccan Plateau.
These soils cover an area of about 200,000 square miles and thus form about 20% of
the total area of India. The primary problem that arises with regard to expansive soils is
that deformations are significantly greater than the elastic deformations and they cannot
be predicted by the classical elastic or plastic theory. Movement is usually in an uneven
pattern and of such a magnitude to cause extensive damage to the structures resting on
them.
Proper remedial measures are to be adopted to modify the soil or to reduce its
detrimental effects if expansive soils are identified in a project. The remedial measures
can be different for planning and designing stages and post construction stages. Many
stabilization techniques are in practice for improving the expansive soils in which the
characteristics of the soils are altered or the problematic soils are removed and replaced
which can be used alone or in conjunction with specific design alternatives. Additives

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such as lime, cement, calcium chloride, rice husk, fly ash etc. are also used to alter the
characteristics of the expansive soils.
The characteristics that are of concern to the design engineers are permeability,
compressibility and durability. The effect of the additives and the optimum amount of
additives to be used are dependent mainly on the mineralogical composition of the soils.
The paper focuses about the various stabilization techniques that are in practice for
improving the expansive soil for reducing its swelling potential and the limitations of the
method of stabilization there on.
In India, the area covered by expansive soil is nearly 20% of the total area. The
expansive soils normally spread over a depth of 2 to 20m. In rainy season, they undergo
heave and lose weight. In summer, they shrink and gain density and become hard. This
alternate swelling and shrinkage damage structures severely. This is more severe for the
light structures.
During summer, polygonal cracks are appear at the surface, which may extend to
a depth of about 2m indicating the active zone in which volume change occurs. The depth
of active zone defined as the thickness of the soil below the ground surface within which
moisture content variations and hence volume changes do take place.
Sustained efforts are being made all over the world on highway research field to
evolve more promising treatment methods for proper design and construction of
pavements running over expansive soil subgrade.

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Fig 1.1: Shows the Expansive soil
1.2 Characterization of Expansive Soils
Field Identifications
 Color: May be black, grey, yellow grey.
 During summers, side and deep map type cracking is observed.
 During heavy rains, when such soils get saturated, it would be very difficult to
work through these soils because of high stickiness.
 Normally the slope of terrains very flat in the range of 0 0 to 20.
 Drainage is very poor.
1.3 Remedial Measures to Overcome Problems of Expansive Soils:
Chen (1988) et al, felt that little progress has been made during the last 20 years
in providing practical solutions to the problems of expansive soils. However, sustained
efforts are on throughout the world in the direction of providing case – specific solutions
with varying filed conditions. In addition to the established remedial measures, other
methods have also been summarized in the following sections.
Stiffening the foundation and superstructure, mat foundation, under reamed pile
foundation, cohesive non-swelling layer (CNS-layer) technique, soil replacement,

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surcharge loading, heat treatment, moisture control, chemical stabilization, pre-wetting,
are some of the remedial measures to overcome the problems of expansive soils.
1.3.1. Stiffening of foundation and superstructure:
Agarwal (1969) et al, proposed the concept of stiffening the foundation and the
superstructure. They suggested provision of RCC bands in the foundation, at the plinth
and lintel levels to control the crack formation in buildings. But, in practice, this
technique has not produced the desired results. Even heavy reinforcement at the
foundation level did not prevent cracking due to the “doming pattern” of heave.
Fig 1.2: Shows the Stiffening of foundation and superstructure
1.3.2. Mat Foundation:
It is a type of foundation which receives and transmits he entire structural load to
the under slab soil. The concept behind this type of foundation is that there could be
tilting of the mat but the performance of the building would not be structurally affected.
Robert and Kirby (1971) proposed on analytical procedure to design stiffened-
mat foundation on expansive soil, which used the mechanics of beams on elastic
foundation, so as to control the heave of expansive soil.

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Fig 1.3: Shows the Mat foundation
1.3.3. Under reamed Pile Foundations:
Setty 1999 et al, Some researchers have explored the possibility of using under
reamed piles in expansive clay ground. They are bored cast-in situ concrete piles having
one or more bulbs formed by enlarging the pile stem with the help of an under reaming
tool. This type of foundation anchors down the foundation into the zone of inappreciable
moisture variations. In India, these piles were developed by in the early fifties and the
effectiveness of these piles is reported by several investigators.
1.3.4. Cohesive Non-swelling (CNS) layer method:
Katti (1979) et al, cohesive forces develop up to a depth of 1.0 m to 1.2 m with
situation of expansive soil, which help to counter heave in the soil beneath even though
the soil within the zone itself swells. The surface electrical charge of clay particle
produces adsorbed water bonds and develops cohesion, resulting in creation of an
effective over burden pressure.
In this method, the top 1m of expansive soil is removed and replaced by cohesive
non-swelling soil (CNS) layer, which is later situated. A CNS layer creates an

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environment similar to that, which prevails within a depth of 1m in an expansive soil with
equivalent cohesion to counter heave. Rama Rao et al., (2008) observed that, a CNS
layer, though effective initially, became less effective after the first cycle of wetting and
drying
Fig 1.4: Shows the Cohesive Non-swelling (CNS) layer method
1.3.5. Soil Replacement:
Soil replacement, as a technique, to alleviate the problems due to expansive soils,
was also tried. In this method, the expansive soil is removed entirely or to a considerable
depth and replaced with a non-expansive soil,
Nelson 1988 et al, the expansive soil extended to a depth too great to
economically allow complete removal and replacement .
Chen (1988) et al,this method can be adopted only when expansive soil extends
to a shallow depth and non-expansive soil is available in abundance in the vicinity of
construction. recommended a minimum 3-4 ft depth of replacement of expansive soil.
1.3.6. Surcharge Loading:

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Nelson, 1991 et al,This technique involves placing a sufficient quantity of non-
expanding material over an expansive soil so that the vertical effective stress on the
expansive soil equals or exceeds its swell pressure. It is clear that unless high fills are
required for highway subgrade considerations, the surcharge method is cost-effective
only for expansive soils with low to moderate swelling pressure and for projects where
some heave can be tolerated, such as in secondary highway projects.
Chen (1988) et al, claimed that at a relatively shallow depth beneath the
structure, the intensity of added stress is small and swelling may occur below this level.
Fig 1.5: Shows the surcharge Loading
1.3.7. Heat Treatment:
This technique developed by the Russians, consists of blowing preheated air
under pressure through boreholes.
Al-Rawas (2004) et al, studied the effect of application of heat on the swelling
properties of the expansive soil. They reported that the swell potential reduced to zero.

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Uppal (1986) et al, reported that the plasticity of soil decreases as temperature
increases until 5000C and soil becomes non-plastic, but the effective depth of burning
with mobile furnace is hardly 2.5 inches and consequently the technique is uneconomical.
1.3.8. Pre wetting:
(Chen, 1988; Nelson and Miller, 1992)Pre wetting is done for the purpose of
reducing post – construction swelling. It is based on the assumption that, if the soil is
allowed to swell by wetting prior to construction and if the high soil moisture continent is
maintained, the soil volume will remain essentially constant, achieving a no-heave state
and consequently there will not be any structural damage. Pre wetting is usually done by
method of ponding.
Fig 1.6: Shows the Pre wetting
1.3.9. Reinforcement Technique:
Henry Vidal (1969) et al,Reinforced earth technique developed by is a composite
material consisting of reinforcement strips embedded in a suitable fill material, satisfying
the stability with excellent performance both under static and dynamic loading.

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Guram, (2001) et al, This technique is being widely used for the constriction of
retaining walls, fly over and bridge approaches, embankments and foundations for large
storage tanks and in several other applications.
Fig 1.7: Shows the Reinforced Soil
1.4 Steel slag:
Slag is the glass-like by-product left over after a desired metal has been separated
(i.e., smelted) from its raw ore. Slag is usually a mixture of metal oxides and silicon
dioxide. However, slags can contain metal sulfides and elemental metals.
It is becoming more attractive to reuse and recycle industrial wastes rather than
disposing them off. Steel slag, a by-product of the conversion of iron to steel, is one of
the industrial wastes having a large percentage still being disposed off in landfills and on
dumpsites. Past years, steel slag was not attractive because of the availability of large
amount of blast furnace slag, which is considered more stable for direct use as a
construction material than steel slag.
Steel slag is generally categorized based on its raw materials and production
process into basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag and electric arc furnace (EAF) slag. Unlike

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blast furnace slag, BOF and EAF slags contain high un-hydrated lime (CaO) that causes
it to volumetrically expand [Shi C, Day RL, 1999] and this limits its use as a
construction material.
S.No Chemical Constitutes Steel Slag (Wt%.)

1. Cao 35-45
2. Sio2 11-17
3. Al2 O3 1-6
4. MgO 2-9
5. FeO 16-26
6. MnO 2-6
7. P2O5 11-2
8. Stotal ≤ 0.2
9. Cr2O3 0.5-2
Table no 1.1 Chemical Constituents of Steel Slag (web resources)
Lateritic soils occur mostly under climatic conditions of high rainfall and
temperature, and result from chemical decomposition of rocks (igneous, sedimentary or
metamorphic) with subsequent alteration of its silica and sesquioxide contents, such that
the ratio of silica-sesquioxide falls within the range of 1.33 and 2.00.
Though readily available, some lateritic soils have high plasticity, poor
workability, low strength, high permeability, tendency to retain moisture and high natural
moisture content. Thus, they do not meet existing standard or local requirements for use
in engineering projects. However, in order to keep overall construction project cost as
low as possible without mortgaging quality, Highway Design Engineers have resorted to
modifying or stabilizing these soils. Using steel slag, a waste, for this purpose will be
more cost effective while also minimizing its eventual disposal.

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Fig 1.8 : Shows the steel slag
1.5 Binders:
The use of soil-cement can be of great benefit to both owners and users of
commercial facilities. Its cost compares favorably with that of granular-base
pavement. When built for equal load carrying capacity, soil cement is almost always
less expensive than other low-cost site treatment or pavement methods. The use or
reuse of in-place or nearby borrow materials eliminates the need for hauling of
expensive, granular-base materials; thus both energy and materials are conserved.
Soil is one of the most important and primary media for any construction work.
The strength and durability of any structure depends on the strength properties of soil.
It has been found from several studies that, due to the detrimental characteristics of
organic soil, the shear strength and bearing capacity of this soil are very low, while
the compressibility is very high.
In recent years, subgrades of roadways are generally constructed by replacing the
underneath organic soil with granular soil named “cut and replace” or preloading to
improve the engineering properties of soil, which requires a huge investment cost and
effort.

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A proper understanding of the geotechnical properties of soils is a pre-requisite
for its use in engineering construction works. Studies on the engineering properties of
these materials have made geologists and engineers aware of a wide range of
properties. However the relative abundance of soil notwithstanding, its suitability for
various purposes can be enhanced through the modification of its properties by
stabilization.
Long term performance of pavement structures often depends on the stability of
the underlying soils. Engineering design of these constructed facilities relies on the
assumption that each layer in the pavement has the minimum specified structural
quality to support and distribute the super imposed loads. These layers must resist
excessive permanent deformation, resist shear and avoid excessive deflection that
may result in fatigue cracking in overlying layers.
Available earth materials do not always meet these requirements and may require
improvements to their engineering properties in order to transform these inexpensive
earth materials into effective construction materials. This is often accomplished by
physical or chemical stabilization or modification of these problematic soils.
This manual establishes criteria for improving the engineering properties of soils
used for pavement base courses, sub base courses, and sub grades by the use of
additives which are mixed into the soil to effect the desired improvement. These
criteria are also applicable to roads and airfields having a stabilized surface layer.
[J. P. Guyer, 2011] The process may include the blending of soils to achieve a
desired gradation or the mixing of commercially available additives which may alter
the gradation, texture, or plasticity or act as a binder for the cementation of soil.

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(Prasanna Kumar, 2011) Deposits of expansive soil are problematic to
engineering structure because of their swelling and shrinkage property. The
deformations caused by swelling or shrinking are significantly greater than elastic
deformation leading to large scale damage to the structure founded on such soil. The
commonly observed damages are in the form of ground cracks, building cracks,
falling of canal lining, heave of beds of canal, heaving and rutting of pavement etc.
[Winterkorn, H.F., 1975] Road stabilization is the method of providing strength
to the natural soil against the he load of modern day traffic and to reduce the damage
of roads in a different climate. The methods employed include the use of admixtures,
compaction and densification of soil. Admixture can be chemical binders, industrial
wastes, cement and fly ash. Soil stabilization is a technique used to change different
soil properties and to enhance its performance for engineering purpose
For different types of soil, a guideline for stabilization has issued specifying the
Plasticity Index (PI) of sandy soil to be less than 30. For fine grain soil PI should not
be more than 20 and to ensure proper mixing liquid limit (LL) should not be more
than 40.
For soil having a higher amount of clay two stage stabilization may be adopted
i.e. the clay is treated with lime in stage I to reduce the value of plasticity and hence
to provide a facility for pulverization, whereas in stage II, the resulting soil stabilizes
with cement. Physical properties of soil like particle size distribution, clay content,
liquid limit and plasticity index play a major deciding factor in any project.
Yadu and Tripathi (2013) studied the soft soil of Raipur in state of Chhattisgarh,
they used of Granulated blast furnace slag (GBS) and fly ash.

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Kumar (2011) carried out investigation on the two extreme types of soils viz. (1)
expansive type Black cotton soil (BC Soil) and (2) non expansive type Red earth soil
(RE), Nyveli Lignite Fly ash (NFA) and non pozzolanic Raichur fly ash (RFA) mixed
at different doses along with supplementing additives like lime and cement were used
for stabilizing the soils.
Fig 1.9: Shows the Cement
Compound Formula Shorthand % by

form weight1
Tricalcium aluminate Ca3Al2O6 C3A 10
Tetracalciumaluminoferrite Ca4Al2 Fe2O10 C4AF 8
Belite or dicalcium silicate Ca2SiO5 C2S 20
Alite or tricalcium silicate Ca3SiO4 C3S 55
Sodium oxide Na2O N Up to 2
Potassium oxide K2O K
Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O CSH2 5

Table 1.2: Shows the Chemical composition of cement

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CHAPTER II
STABILIZATION
2.1 Stabilization:
Soil stabilization a general term for any physical, chemical, biological or combined
method of changing a natural soil to meet an engineering purpose. Improvements include
increasing the weight bearing capabilities, tensile strength, and overall performance of in-
situ subsoils, sands, and other waste materials in order to strengthen road surfaces.
Some of the renewable technologies are: enzymes, surfactants, biopolymers, synthetic
polymers, co-polymer based products, cross-linking styrene acrylic polymers, tree resins,
ionic stabilizers, fibre reinforcement, calcium chloride, calcite, sodium chloride,
magnesium chloride and more.
Basic Principles of Soil Stabilization….
 Evaluating the properties of given soil.
 Deciding the lacking property of soil and choose effective and economical
method of soil stabilization.
 Designing the Stabilized soil mix for intended stabilityand durability values.
Need for Soil Stabilization:
 Limited Financial Resources to Provide a complete network Road System to build
in conventional method.
 Effective utilization of locally available soils and other suitable stabilizing agents.

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 Encouraging the use of Industrial Wastages in building low cost construction of

roads.
2.2 Mechanisms of Stabilization:
The stabilization mechanism may vary widely from the formation of new
compounds binding the finer soil particles to coating particle surfaces by the additive to
limit the moisture sensitivity. Therefore, a basic understanding of the stabilization
mechanisms involved with each additive is required before selecting an effective
stabilizer suited for a specific application.
Chemical stabilization involves mixing or injecting the soil with chemically active
compounds such as Portland cement, lime, fly ash, calcium or sodium chloride or with
visco elastic materials such as bitumen. Chemical stabilizers can be broadly divided in to
three groups: Traditional stabilizers such as hydrated lime, Portland cement and Fly ash;
Non-traditional stabilizers comprised of sulfonated oils, ammonium chloride, enzymes,
polymers, and potassium compounds; and By-product stabilizers which include cement
kiln dust, lime kiln dust etc. Among these, the most widely used additives are lime,
Portland cement and fly ash. Although stabilization with fly ash may be more economical
when compared to the other two, the composition of fly ash can be highly variable.
2.3 Different Types of Stabilization:
i. Mechanical stabilization. ii. Geosynthetic stabilization. iii. Chemical stabilization.
2.3.1 Mechanical stabilization:
This is the process of altering soil properties by changing the gradation through
mixing with other soils, densifying the soils using compaction efforts, or undercutting the
existing soils and replacing them with granular material. A common remedial procedure

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for wet and soft sub grade is to cover it with granular material or to partially remove and
replace the wet sub grade with a granular material to a pre-determined depth below the
grade lines. The compacted granular layer distributes the wheel loads over a wider area
and serves as a working platform.
Hence in the new millennium, we will face the challenge of developing better
chemical stabilizers and mechanical stabilization techniques; new, quicker, and better
testing methods; and better and environmentally safe methods for using waste materials
for highway construction. Research is needed in a number of areas to develop the
materials and methods required to meet this challenge.
Under this category, soil stabilization can be achieved through physical process
by altering the physical nature of native soil particles by either induced vibration or
compaction or by incorporating other physical properties such as barriers and nailing.
Fig 2.1: Shows the Mechanical Stabilisation

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2.3.2 Chemical stabilization:
Under this category soil stabilization depends mainly on chemical reactions
between stabilizer (cementitious material) and soil minerals (pozzolanic materials) to
achieve the desired effect. A chemical stabilization method is the fundamental of this
review and, therefore, throughout the rest of this report, the term soil stabilization will
mean
The transformation of soil index properties by adding chemicals such as cement,
fly ash, lime, or a combination of these, often alters the physical and chemical properties
of the soil including the cementation of the soil particles.
In this work it is attempted to study the effect of steel slag and cement on the
properties of expansive soil and strength parameters.
Development of New Chemicals for Stabilization: As technology advances and
economic conditions change, many more chemical agents will be introduced into
subgrades to improve their compactability, durability, and strength. At the same time,
moreperformance-based testing will be necessary to prove the effectiveness of these
stabilization agents. In addition, there are chemicals being used today in the
petrochemical industry whose use in soils is as yet unexplored. Another area for research
is such processes as injection and spray-on techniques for more economical treatment.
Application of Recycled and Waste Products: Improved chemical and
mechanical stabilization techniques are needed for such waste materials as crushed old
asphalt pavement, copper and zinc slag, paper mill sludge, and rubber tire chips. In
Finland, for example, attempts have recently been made to mix paper mill sludge with fly

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ash for use in the construction of roads, liners for landfills, and stabilized layers in areas
where slope stability is of concern.
Risk Evaluation of Recycled and Waste Materials lime stabilization: In
meeting the need to recycle many potentially hazardous materials, it will be necessary to
develop a realistic, economical, and effective means of assessing the risk of pollution
posed by these materials through leachates and emissions. In some cases, risk evaluation
is hampered by restrictive environmental constraints, and this issue needs to be addressed
as well.
Fig 2.2: Shows the Chemical Stabilisation
2.3.3 Geosynthetic stabilization:
Geogrid has been used to reinforce road sections. The inclusion of geogrid in sub
grades changes the performance of the roadway in many ways. Tensile reinforcement,
confinement, lateral spreading reduction, separation, construction uniformity and
reduction in strain have been identified as primary reinforcement mechanisms. Empirical

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design and post-construction evaluation have lumped the above described benefits into
better pavement performance during the design life.
Fig 2.3: Shows the geo synthetics stabilisation
2.4 Objective:
The objective of the present work is to study the impact of the steel slag and
cement on the properties of expansive soil with laboratory.
2.5 Thesis Organization:
Besides the introductory chapter-1, the report is divided into the following
chapters. In the chapter-2 Stabilization, chapter-3 literature review, chapter-4 materials &
methodology, chapter-5 Discussion of results, chapter-6 conclusions.

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CHAPTER III
REVIEW LITERATURE
3.1 Introduction:
Ramadan et al, The by-product of steel manufacturing in Vishakhapatnam, steel
slag, is dumped randomly in open areas, which causes many environmental hazardous
problems. The three steel factories in Jordan are daily generating from 15–20 tons of steel
slag. Most of the steel slag production in Jordan is utilized in the cement industry and has
never been used in any other fields due to the lack of research in these field. Is recognized
that swelling of expansive soils may cause significant distress and severe damage to
overlying structures. Documented evidence of extensive damage caused by soil
expansion is available from different countries in the world.
Miller (1992) et al, Expansive soils are thought to be the main cause of problems
in light structures. A total of $15 billion worth of damage is caused annually by
expansive soil problems in the United States alone.
Emery (1993) et al, Not all types of slag are suitable for processing as SSA some
have high percentages of free lime and magnesium oxides that have not reacted with the
silicate structures and can hydrate and expand in humid environments. Suitable SSA can
be used as a replacement for normal aggregate in a variety of civil engineering
applications. It can be used in concrete mixes, asphalt concrete (AC) mixes, and soil
stabilization.
Chirapunthu (1977) et al, Traditional stabilizerssuch as limestone, cement,
zeolite, gypsum, industrial wastes, and fly ash are commonly used, as reported in the
extensive studies by researchers.while the non-traditional stabilizer (chemical stabilizer)

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is usually sold as concentrated liquids diluted with water on the project site and sprayed
on the soil to be treated before compaction
Kaster (1997) et al, Similar levels of damage have also been reported in other
countriesBecause expansive soils damage engineering structures, extensive studies on
using additives to improve these soils have been performed. The stabilizers of soils are
categorized into two main groups as traditional and non-traditional stabilizers.
Attom and Al-Sharif (1998), concluded that the use of burned olive waste
reduced the swelling pressure and plasticity of highly plastic soils.
Basma(1998) et al, showed that the use of cement with expansive clay caused a
reduction in soil swelling characteristics. Large quantities of steel slag are produced daily
in Jordan from steel manufacturing processes. Currently, by-product steel slag material is
dumped randomly in open areas. If not recycled or disposed in properly designed
landfills, the toxic elements such as Cr, Ni, and Zn (see Table 1) may migrate to and
pollute the surface water and groundwater and affect the human life and the environment.
Cokca (2001) et al, found that the increase in the percent of fly ash and curing
time decreased the swelling potential, activity, and plasticity of the treated soil.
Sobhan and Mashnad (2003), found that the use of plastic strips increased the
compressive strength, split tensile and flexural strength of the soil–cement–fly ash
composite. Prabakar (2004)et.al, studied the behavioural aspect of soils mixed with fly
ash to improve the load bearing capacity of the soil. Investigated that fly ash treatment
results in reduction in swelling properties of expansive soil.

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Assa’d andShalabi (2004), studied the effect of adding fly ash, cement, and lime
on the strength of highly plastic clay soil. The results showed that the strength increased
when the soil was mixed with lime or cement besides the fly ash.
Kumar and Sharma (2004), found that the addition of fly ash reduced the soil
plasticity, swelling characteristics, permeability and increased the undrained shear
strength of the treated soil.
Onur (2009) et al, investigated the effect of limestone and marble dust on the
swelling behaviour of expansive soils. The results showed that around 21–28% reduction
in the percentage swell was achieved when 5% of dust added to the treated soil.
Prezzi (2011) et al, 50 million metric tons of steel slag was estimated to be
produced worldwide and 12 million tons was estimated to be produced in Europe.
Currently, the world annual production of steel slag is estimated to range between 90 and
135 million metric tons of steel slag. Approximately 15 to 40% of the 10–15million
metric tons of steel slag generated in the United States in 2006 was not utilized mainly as
a granular road base or as an aggregate in construction applications, steel slag aggregate
(SSA) has been successfully used in the Middle East under hot weather conditions.
In addition to that, the very fine particles of by product steel slag are expected to
pollute the air. The investigation of this work focused on the engineering properties of a
stabilized clay soil as a sub-grade material used in road pavement and foundation. The
investigation considered the effect of SSA on plasticity, swelling behavior,
compressibility, shear strength and California bearing ratio (CBR) of the treated clay soil.
Construction methods should be carried in a manner so as to construct roads with
minimum cost and maximum service life. Flexible pavement structure requires strong

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subgrade in order to minimize the pavement failure and to maximize the life of pavement.
Strength of subgrade affects the thickness of flexible pavement structure. Subgrade
stability is a function of soils strength and its behaviour under repeated loading. Both
properties significantly influence pavement construction and the performance of the
pavement.
Stabilization refers to a subgrade treatment, intended to provide structural stability
to the soil by improving strength properties which helps to extend the life and
performance of pavement. Soil Stabilization is the process by which the engineering
properties of soil can be improved or treated by mixing the appropriate waste materials
into the soil. Adequate blending percentage of admixture is necessary to achieve the
maximum strength of soil. Million tons of waste materials are produced annually in India
and their disposal has become a major environmental concern.
Addition of these wastes in stabilization technique makes proper utilization of
these wastes and solves the problem of disposal. Fly ash is produced as a by-product from
municipal solid waste incinerators and coal fuelled power stations. Steel slag is a by-
product produced during the conversion of iron ore or scrap iron to steel.
Robinson (2011) et al, investigated the durability of flooded low capacity soil by
treating it with lime and GGBS. The investigation involved preparation of test specimens
of 50mm diameter and 100mm height, statically compacted to their MDD and OMC,
followed by moist curing and simulated flooding of the samples. Water absorption during
flooding was measured followed by testing of UCC strength of the samples. It was found
that higher lime content resulted in greater water absorption. The addition of GGBS,
however, resulted in a reduction in moisture absorption and increase in the strength of the

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flooded samples. It was determined that the addition of GGBS resulted in the reduction in
resource consumption and improved robustness of the roads.
Sridevi (2011) et al,performed a laboratory evaluation on utilization of industrial
waste in pavement laid over expansive clay subgrades. The waste materials tested were
granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash. Detailed laboratory studies have been carried
out using these materials for cushioning soil system. The results indicate a significant
increase in the soaked CBR value. This investigation points to the utility of these two
waste materials for use in sub-base of flexible pavement.
Yildirim IZ, Prezzi M, (2011), Approximately 15 to 40% of the 10 - 15 million
metric tons of steel slag generated in the United States in 2006 was not utilized and a
larger percentage of the 0.35 - 0.45 million metric tons of steel slag estimated by
Akinwumi et al.
Lavanya (2011)et.al, has studied the utilization of copper slag in geotechnical
applications and its usage as an admixture to improve the properties of problematic soils.
Seco (2011) et al, studied the effect of adding different additives (lime, natural
gypsum, magnesium oxide, Rice fly ash, coal fly ash, steel fly ash, and aluminum filler)
on the swelling and strength behaviour of highly expansive clay soil. The results showed
that adding2%of lime with1%of magnesium oxides tremendously reduced the swelling
percentage of the treated clay soil.
3.2 Steel Slag:
[G. N. Obuzor, J. M. Kinuthia, and R. B. Robinson,2012] evaluated the
performance of lime activated GGBS in stabilizing road pavements and embankments
constructed in flood plains that is prone to submerged conditions due to flooding.

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Laboratory simulated flooding conditions were used to gauge the performance of
stabilized soil specimens of size of 50mm× 100 mm. The samples were immersed in
water for periods of 4 and 10 days after periods of 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing.
[L. Yadu and R. K. Tripathi, 2013]presented that stabilization of soft soil can be
improved by the addition of blast furnace slag and fly ash. According to that study, it was
concluded that, by the addition of slag waste and fly Ash at different proportion, the
properties of the soft soil may get changed. It has also been observed that there is an
improvement in the strength characteristics of soft soil.
Mehata and parate et.al (2013) observed that fly ash has good potential for use
in geotechnical applications. An attempt is made by Satyanarayana et.al (2013) for the
utilization of Fly ash in Bulk quantities by adding various percentages of Fly ash to the
expansive soils and they verified its behaviour.
Manso et.al (2013) studied the properties of Ladle Furnace Slag (LFS) and the
characteristics of several clayey soils susceptible to improvement with additions of this
by-product.
[E. Celik and Z. Nalbantoglu, 2013] studied the effect of ground granulated
blast furnace slag (GGBS) on the control of swell associated with lime stabilized sulphate
bearing soil. In order to study the effect of swelling associated with lime stabilization of
sulphate-rich soils, three different concentrations of sulphate were chosen, namely, 2000,
5000, and 10,000 ppm.
The compaction characteristics, Atterberg limits, linear shrinkage, and swell
potential of sulphate dosed 5% lime stabilized soil were then investigated. The same tests
were repeated on the combinations but with 6% GGBS as an additive. The test results

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revealed that the presence of sulphate in soil resulted in abnormal plasticity and swell
potential of the soil. At 10,000 ppm sulphate concentration, the swell potential of the lime
stabilized soil was three times higher than the natural soil.
However, on addition of 6% (GGBS), the swell potential of lime stabilized soil
reduced about 87.5% for 10,000 ppm sulphate concentration. In contrast, there was no
swelling at all for 5000 ppm sulphate concentration. Hence, this suggested that addition
of GGBS to lime results in effective control of swell associated with ettringite formation
in sulphate bearing soils
The specimens were subjected to durability index and UCC strength tests. The
samples were prepared with a maximum stabilizer dosage of 16% and five different
combinations of lime and GGBS were adopted with GGBS replacing lime in increments
of 4% in each successive combination. The samples were moulded at three different
moisture contents at their MDD to study the effect of placement water content. The
investigation revealed that 4%lime with 12% GGBS produced the highest strength and
durability out of all the combinations.
The strength of the stabilized soil increased with decrease in lime content and
increase in GGBS content in the mix, thereby giving a clear indication of better
performance of lime-industrial waste combinations when compared to pure lime or pure
industrial waste stabilization. It is evident that strength of lime-clay systems was hugely
dependent on the GGBS component which increases the density and permeability of the
system by forming cementitious gels Obuzor et al.
[Akinwumi,2014] conducted a laboratory investigation on the stabilization of
lateritic soil with steel slag. The addition of steel slag resulted in an increase in the

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specific gravity of the soil, reduction in liquid and plastic limits, and plasticity index.
Compaction characteristics were altered due to the addition of steel slag, with increase in
dry density and reduction in optimum moisture content. Steel slag resulted in an increase
in the unsoaked and soaked CBR, the unconfined compressive strength, and permeability
of the soil. The swell potential of the soil steadily reduced with the addition of steel slag.
Homland Security (2014)In wet seasons, these soils swell and become soft as
they gain water, while in dry seasons they shrink and become hard as they lose water.
This behaviour is expected to cause severe damage to structures that are built on such
soils. According to Wyoming Office of the USA looses about $2.3 billion/year due to
structural damage (including buildings, roads, pipelines, and others) as a result of the
swelling behavior of the expansive soils.
Many studies were carried out to reduce the damage effect of expansive soils (in
terms of swelling or strength reduction) on structures. These studies used additives or
admixtures as stabilizers (such as lime, cement, fly ash, calcium chloride, olivewaste, and
asphalt), geo-textiles, and compaction-moisture control among other methods.
Al-Malack et al. (2016) used fuel oil fly ash (FFA) to stabilize marl soil. In their
conclusions, the authors indicated that the treated marl met the durability and strength
requirements.
Sengoz (2016) et al, to be generated annually in Nigeria is disposed in an
environment-unfriendly manner. Steel slag is generally categorized based on its raw
materials and production process into basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag and electric arc
furnace (EAF) slag. Unlike blast furnace slag, BOF and EAF slags contain high
unhydrated lime (CaO) that causes it to volumetrically expand and this limits its use as a

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construction material. Researchers found out that steel slag can be used for
manufacturing blended cement used as aggregate in Portland cement concrete and asphalt
concrete and as unbound granular materials for road bases and sub-bases..
3.3 Binders:
Engineers are often faced with the problem of constructing roadbeds on or with
soils, which do not possess sufficient strength to support wheel loads imposed upon them
either in construction or during the service life of the pavement. It is, at times, necessary
to treat these soils to provide a stable sub grade or a working platform for the
construction of the pavement.
These treatments result in less time and energy required for the production,
handling, and placement of road and bridge fills and sub grades and therefore, less time
to complete the construction process thus reducing the disruption and delays to traffic.
These treatments are generally classified into two processes, soil modification or soil
stabilization. The purpose of sub grade modification is to create a working platform for
construction equipment.
ManikantMandal and Dr, MayajitMazumdar (1995), a study was made on the
effect of additives on lateritic soil stabilization with cement and lime. Particularly, the
strength and fatigue behaviour, under repeated flexure, of stabilized latertic soil treated
with additives, have not been studied in our country till now.
Arumugam and K. Muralidharan (1997), stabilizing the locally available soils
and using them as subgrade materials generally reduce the cost of pavement construction.
It was concluded that the mechanical stabilization saving in the construction cost of

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pavement upto 43% has been effected. Lime and cement stabilization saves the amount
by 46.2% and 27.56% respectively.
T.Lopez-Lara, J.A. Zepeda-Garrido and V.M. Castario (1999) this paper
includes the evaluation of the main index properties of the soil, along with a
characterization of the materials through X-ray diffraction.
Abu siddique and Bipradasrajbongshi (2002), A study of Mechanical
properties of a cement stabilized coastal soil for use in road construction, this paper
present the soil cement stabilization with 1%, 3%, and 5% cement fulfill the requirements
of road sub-base and base subjected to light traffic. Analyses using CIRCLY computer
program were conducted to estimate the thickness of soil-cement for paved and unpaved
rural road maximum width 2.5 m and subjected to anticipated design traffic loading of
light cross country vehicle (LCCV), i.e, jeep.
Virender Kumar (2002). Costas A.Anagno– stopoulos (2004), In this study, a
laboratory test programme was carried out to find out the effect of inclusion of cement
and acrylic resin on physical and engineering behaviour of a soft clay. A series of tests
are conducted with the addition of 5% to 30% of cement contents and acrylic resin of 5%.
It is concluded that the development of strength and stiffness for a short curing time
(7 days) is delayed significantly because of A.R addition while for long curing time
(28 days) the engineering parameters are increased considerably.

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CHAPTER IV
MATERIALS & METHODOLOGY
4.1. Introduction:
In this chapter the experimental procedures for the tests carried out in the
laboratory are presented.
4.2. Materials:
4.2.1. Soil:
The black cotton soil collected from ‘Muramalla’ village near Amalapuram,
East Godavari District in India.
S.No Property Value

1 Grain size distribution
Sand (%) 2
Silt (%) 20
Clay (%) 78
2 Atterberg limits
Liquid limit (%) 82
Plastic limit (%) 40
Plasticity index (%) 42
Shrinkage limit (%) 12
3 Compaction properties
Optimum Moisture Content, O.M.C. (%) 24.89
Maximum Dry Density, M.D.D (g/cc) 1.38
4 Specific Gravity (G) 2.69

5 IS Classification CH

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6 Soaked C.B.R (%) 2.2

7 Differential free swell (%) 128
8 Permeability (cm/sec) 1.729×10¯⁷
9 Shear Strength Parameters
Cohesion (C) (Kg/cm²) 0.46
Angle of internal friction (ø) 2º
Table no: 4.1 shows the properties of soil
4.2.2 Steel Slag:
Steel slag is used for this study. The quantity of this was varied from 0 to 30% by
dry weight of soil. The steel slag aggregates (SSA) were obtained from the
Vishakhapatnam Steel plant. The aggregates that passed 1.0 inch sieve were used in this
study. The specific gravity of the fine and coarse portions of the aggregates were 3.1
respectively. The chemical tests showed that the aggregates were free of Cadmium (Cd)
and Copper (Cu) elements.
Gravel size (%) = 88 Sand size (%) = 12.0 9
Silt size (%) = 67.10 Clay size (%) = 23.5
Classification (USCS): CH–MH = GP
Fig. 4.1 Shows the sample of steel slag

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S.NO PROPERTY VALUE
1. Specific gravity FA 3.2
2. Liquid limit (%) Non plastic
3. Plastic limit (%) Non plastic
4. Plasticity index (%) Non plastic
Table 4.2: Properties of steel slag
4.2.3 Binders:
Ordinary Portland cement was used for this study. The quantity of the cement was
varied from 0 to 8% by dry weight of soil.
Fig: 4.2 Shows the sample of Cement
4.3. Laboratory Experimentation:
4.3.1 Atterberg Limits:
4.3.1.1 Liquid Limit:
Different percentages of chemical ranging from 0-1.5% by dry weight are mixed
with the soil and the liquid limit were determined as per IS: 2720 (part-5)-1985.
 Apparatus Required:
1. Balance, 2. Casagrende’s Liquid limit device, 3. Grooving tool,

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4. Mixing dishes, 5. Spatula, 6.Electrical Oven, 7. Squeeze Bottle.
 Procedure:
1. Put 250 gm of air-dried soil, passed thorough 425 mm sieve, into an evaporating dish.
Add distilled water into the soil and mix it thoroughly to form uniform paste. (The paste
shall have a consistency that would require 30 to 35 drops of cup to cause closer of
standard groove for sufficient length.)
2. Place a portion of the paste in the cup of Liquid Limit device and spread it with a few
strokes of spatula.
3. Trim it to a depth of 1 cm at the point of maximum thickness and return excess of soil
to the dish.
4. Using the grooving tool, cut a groove along the centre line of soil pat in the cup, so that
clean sharp groove of proper dimension (11 mm wide at top, 2 mm at bottom, and 8 mm
deep) is formed.
5. Lift and drop the cup by turning crank at the rate of two revolutions per second until
the two halves of soil cake come in contact with each other for a length of about 13 mm
by flow only, and record the number of blows, N.
6. Take a representative portion of soil from the cup for moisture content determination.
7. Repeat the test with different moisture contents at least four more times for blows
between 10 and 40.

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Fig: 4.3 Shows the Testing of Liquid Limit
4.3.1.2 Plastic Limit:
with the soil and the plastic limit were determined as per IS: 2720 (part-6)-1972.
 Equipment:
1. Porcelain evaporating dish about 120mm diameter or a glass plate 450mm square and
10mm thick, 2. Ground glass plate about 200mm x 150mm, 3. Metallic rod 3mm dia and
100mm long, 4. Oven, 5. Spatula or plate knife, 6. Moisture content can
 Procedure:
1. Take about 30g of air dried soil from a thoroughly mixed sample of the soil passing
425 sieve.
2. Mix the soil with distilled water in an evaporating dish or on a glass plate o make it
plastic enough to shape into a small ball.
3. Leave the plastic soil mass for some time for maturing. For some fat clay, this period
may be even upto 24 hours.

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4. Take about 8g of the plastic soil, and roll it with fingers on a glass plate. The rate of
rolling should be about 80 to 90 strokes per minute to form a thread of 3mm diameter
counting one stroke when the hand moves forward and backward to the starting point.
5. If the diameter of the thread becomes less than 3mm without cracks, it shows that the
water content is more than plastic limit. Knead the soil to reduce the water content and
roll it again into thread. Repeat the process of alternate rolling and kneading until the
tread crumbles and the soil can no longer be rolled into thread.
6. Note: If the crumbling occurs when the thread has a diameter slightly greater than
3mm it may be taken as plastic limit, provided the soil had been rolled into a thread of
3mm diameter immediately before kneading. Do not attempt to produce failure exactly at
3mm diameter.
7. Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread in a moisture content container.
8. Repeat the procedure at least twice more with a fresh samples of plastic soil each time.
Fig: 4.4 Shows the Testing of Plastic Limit

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4.3.1.3. Shrinkage limit:
with the soil and the shrinkage limit were determined as per IS: 2720 (part-6)-1972.
 Equipment & Apparatus:
1. Oven, 2.Balance, 3.Sieve, 4.Mercury, 5.Desiccator
 Preparation Sample:
The soil passing 425 micron sieve is used in this test.
 Procedure
1. 100 gm. of soil sample from a thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing
through 425 micron IS sieve is taken.
2. About 30 gm. of above soil sample is placed in the evaporating dish and thoroughly
mixed with distilled water to make a paste.
3. The weight of the clean empty shrinkage dish is determined and recorded.
4. The dish is filled in three layers by placing approximately 1/3 rd of the amount of wet
soil with the help of spatula.
5. Then the dish with wet soil is weighed and recorded immediately.
6. The wet soil cake is air dried until the colour of the pat turns from dark to light. Then it
is oven dried at a temperature of 1050 C to 1100 C for 12 to 16 hours. The weight of the
dish with dry sample is determined and recorded. Then the weight of oven dry soil pat
is calculated (W0).

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7. The shrinkage dish is placed in the evaporating dish and the dish is filled with mercury,
till it overflows slightly. Then it is be pressed with plain glass plate firmly on its top to
remove excess mercury. The mercury from the shrinkage dish is poured into a measuring
jar and the volume of the shrinkage dish is calculated. This volume is recorded as the
volume of the wet soil pat (V).
8. A glass cup is placed in a suitable large container and the glass cup removed by
covering the cup with glass plate with prongs and pressing it. The outside of the glass cup
is wiped to remove the adhering mercury. Then it is placed in the evaporating dish which
is clean and empty.
9. Then the oven dried soil pat is placed on the surface of the mercury in the cup and
pressed by means of the glass plate with prongs, the displaced mercury being collected in
the evaporating dish.
10. The mercury so displaced by the dry soil pat is weighed and its volume (V o) is
calculated by dividing this weight by unit weight of mercury.
 Calculation:
The shrinkage limit is to be calculated by using the following formula
Where W = Moisture content of wet soil pat
4.3.2. Compaction Properties:
Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of the Expansive soil were
evaluated as per IS Heavy weight compaction test (IS: 2720 part-8, 1983).
 Object:
Determination of the dry density - moisture content relationship of a soil.

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 Apparatus
Cylindrical moulds and accessories, Rammer, Sample extruder, Balance (1 g
accuracy), 4.75 mm IS sieve, Mixing tray, Trowel, Graduated cylinder, Straight edge
knife, Apparatus for moisture content determination.
 Procedure
1. Obtain a sufficient quantity of air-dried soil and pulverize it. Take about 3 kg of soil
passing through 4.75 mm sieve in a mixing tray.
2. Weigh the mould with base plate and apply grease lightly on the interior surfaces. Fit
the collar and place the mould on a solid base.
3. Add water to the soil to bring its moisture content to about 8% and then mix it
thoroughly using the trowel until the soil gets a uniform colour.
4. For light compaction, compact the moist soil in three equal layers using a rammer of
mass 2.6 kg and having free fall of 31 cm. Distribute the blows evenly, and apply 25
blows in each layer. Ensure that the last compacted layer extends above the collar joint.
Alternatively for heavy compaction, compact the soil with 25 blows per layer, in five
equal layers with a rammer of mass 4.9 kg and 45 cm free fall.
5. Rotate the collar so as to remove it, trim off the compacted soil flush with the top of
the mould, and weigh the mould with soil and base plate.
6. Extrude the soil from the mould and collect soil samples from the top, middle and
bottom parts for water content determination. Place the soil back in the tray, add 2%
more water based on the original soil mass, and re-mix as in step 3.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until a peak value of compacted soil mass is reached followed by
a few samples of lesser compacted soil masses

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8. Calculate the bulk density of each compacted soil specimen.
9. Calculate the average moisture content of the compacted specimen and then its dry
density.
8. Plot the dry densities obtained as ordinates against the corresponding moisture contents
as abscissa, draw a smooth compaction curve passing through them, and obtain the values
of maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC).
9. On the same graph, plot a curve corresponding to 100% saturation, calculated from
where S = degree of saturation, Gs = specific gravity of solids, and g w= unit weight of
water.
4.3.3. Differential Free Swell (DFS):
The DFS test for all the combinations has been conducted as per IS code of
practice (IS: 2720-part XL-1977).
 Object:
To determine the free swell index of soil as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) – 1977. Free
swell or differential free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in volume
of soil without any external constraint when subjected to submergence in water.

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 Apparatus:
IS Sieve of size 425µm, Oven, Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g, Graduated glass
cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity strong
 Procedure to determine Free Swell Index Of Soil:

1. Take two specimens of 10g each of pulverised soil passing through 425µm IS Sieve
and oven-dry.
2. Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.
3. Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml mark.
4. Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod.
5. Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hours).
6. Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.
 Reporting of Results: Free swell index = [Vd – Vk] / Vk x 100%
where,
Vd = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing
distilled water.
Vk = volume of soil specimen read from the graduated cylinder containing
kerosene.
Free Swell Degree of LL PL SL
Index expansiveness
<20 Low 0.50 0-35% >17%
20-35 Moderate 40-60% 25-50% 8-18%
35-50 High 50-75% 35-65% 6-12%
>50 Very high >60% >45% <10%

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4.3.4. Strength Tests:
Tri-axial test, California bearing ratio & Unconfined Compressive Strength values
were found for all the soil combinations, as presented below.
4.3.5 (a). Sample Preparation for CBR:
Both treated and untreated samples were prepared by compacting different mixes
to the maximum dry density of the soil. The initial moisture content for these samples
was maintained at optimum moisture content of the untreated soil. The amount of
chemical to be added to the amount of water was arrived at based on the optimum
moisture content of the natural soil and the chemical solution was prepared. This solution
was added to the dry soil and the mixture was thoroughly mixed.
 California Bearing Ratio Test:
The California bearing ratio tests (as per IS: 2720 (part-16)-1979) were conducted
on all the combinations listed in table. . At the end of the curing period (all the samples
were cured for 3 days and later soaked for 4 days).
 Apparatus:
Mould, Steel Cutting collar, Spacer Disc, Surcharge weight, Dial gauges, IS Sieves,
Penetration Plunger, Loading Machine.
 Test Procedure:
1. Normally 3 specimens each of about 7 kg must be compacted so that their
compacted densities range from 95% to 100% generally with 10, 30 and 65
blows.

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2. Weigh of empty mould.
3. Add water to the first specimen (compact it in five layer by giving 10 blows per
layer)
4. After compaction, remove the collar and level the surface.
5. Take sample for determination of moisture content.
6. Weight of mould + compacted specimen.
7. Place the mold in the soaking tank for four days (ignore this step in case of
unsoaked CBR.
8. Take other samples and apply different blows and repeat the whole process.
9. After four days, measure the swell reading and find %age swell.
10. Remove the mould from the tank and allow water to drain.
11. Then place the specimen under the penetration piston and place surcharge load of
10lb.
12. Apply the load and note the penetration load values.
13. Draw the graphs between the penetration (in) and penetration load (in) and find
the value of CBR.
14. Draw the graph between the %age CBR and Dry Density, and find CBR at
required degree of compaction.

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Plate 4.5 Sample after Test
4.3.4 (b) Sample Preparation for UCS:
Both treated and untreated samples were prepared by compacting different mixes
to the maximum dry density of the soil. The initial moisture content for these samples
was maintained at optimum moisture content of the untreated soil. The amount of
chemical to be added to the amount of water was arrived at based on the optimum
moisture content of the natural soil and the chemical solution was prepared. This solution
was added to the dry soil and the mixture was thoroughly mixed.
 Unconfined Compressive Strength:
The various mixes of soil and additives in different proportions are fixed at water
content corresponding to OMC values of each mix and the samples are prepared for
conducting Unconfined Compressive Strength test for each proportion in the constant
volume mould. These samples are cured for 1 day, 7 days and 14 days. After the period
of curing, these samples are tested for unconfined compressive strength test as per IS
code of practice (IS : 2720,1664).

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 Object:
Determination of unconfined compressive strength of a clayey soil either in
undisturbed or remoulded condition.
 Apparatus:
Compression machine, Proving ring, Deformation dial gauge, Timer, Sampling
tube, Specimen extruder, Split mould, Specimen trimming tools, Vernier calipers,
Balance, Apparatus for moisture content determination.
 Procedure:
1. Prepare the test specimen, which may be either undisturbed, remoulded or

compacted. Undisturbed specimens can be carved from a large soil block, or
obtained through a sampling tube from which the specimen can extruded into
a simple mould using a simple extruder.
2. Trim the two ends of the soil specimen, remove it from the mould, and
measure the length, diameter and weight.
3. Place the specimen on the bottom plate of the compression machine, and
adjust the upper plate to make contact with the specimen. Initialize the vertical

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displacement gauge and proving ring gauge to zero. Select an axial strain rate
between 0.5% to 2.0% per minute and apply compression load.
4. Record the load and displacement readings at every 20 to 50 divisions of

displacement gauge, or at every 15 seconds.
5. Compress the specimen till the load peaks and then falls, or till the vertical
deformation reaches 20% of the specimen length.
6. Remove the specimen from the machine, and take soil samples for water
content determination.
 Summary:
In this chapter, the details of laboratory experimentation were presented. Analysis
and discussion of test results will be presented in the next chapter.

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CHAPTER V
DISCUSSION ON TEST RESULTS
5.1. Introduction:
Details of the laboratory experimentation carried-out with soil stabilization have
been discussed in the previous chapter. In this chapter a detailed discussion on the results
obtained from various laboratory were presented.
5.2. Laboratory Test Results on Soil Stabilization:
The effect of adding different proportions of steel slag and cement to the
expansive soil on Atterberg limits, DFS and Strength Properties are discussed in the
following sections.
Particular Index properties of soil
WL WP IP WS
(%) (%) (%) (%)
Expansive Soil 82 40 42 12
Expansive Soil + 5% Steel slag + 2% Cement 68 43 25 13
Table 5.1: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on Index Properties of Expansive soil

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LL PL PI SL
200
ATTERBERG LIMITS %
150
100
50
0
Expansive Soil Expansive Soil + Expansive Soil + Expansive Soil + Expansive Soil +
5% Steel slag + 10% Steel slag + 20% Steel slag + 30% Steel slag +
2% Cement 4% Cement 6% Cement 8% Cement
Graph 5.1 Shows the variation of Atterberg limits with the expansive soil
5.2.1. Effect of Additives on Atterberg limits:
The variation of liquid limit values with different percentages of steel slag and
cement added to the expansive soil is presented in the graph. It is observed that the
decrease in the liquid limit is significant upto 20% SS and 6% Cement added to the
expansive soil the percentage decrease is 67.34%, beyond that, there is a nominal
decrease.
Maximum decrease in liquid limit for stabilized expansive clay is observed at
20% SS and 6%. Nominal increase in plastic limit of stabilized expansive clay is
observed with increase the percentage of the additives. Graph6.1 shows the variation of
plasticity index with the addition of steel slag and cement to expansive soil. The increase
in the plastic limit 18.36% and the decrease in the liquid limit cause a net reduction in the
plasticity index.
It is observed that, the reduction in plasticity indexes are 42%respectively for
20% SS and 6% added to the expansive soil. The reduction in plasticity index with steel

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slag and cement treatment could be attributed to the depressed double layer thickness due
to cation exchanges steel slag and binding property
The variation of shrinkage limit with the percentage of steel slag and cement
added to the expansive soil is presented in the graph. With increase in percentage of steel
slag and cement added to the expansive soil the shrinkage limit is increasing. With 20%
SS & 6% binder additives addition, the shrinkage limit of stabilized expansive clay is
increased from 0% to 33.33%.
S.No Particular DFS
1. Expansive Soil 128
2. Expansive Soil + 5% Steel slag + 2% Cement 101
Table 5.2: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on Differencial free swell of Exp. Soil
DFS
DFS
150
100
50
0
5% Steel Slag + 10% Steel Slag + 20% Steel Slag + 30% Steel Slag +
Graph 5.2: Shows the variation of DFS with the expansive soil

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5.2.2. Effect of Additives on DFS:
The variation of DFS of stabilized expansive clay with addition of different
percentages of steel slag and cement is shown in the graph.5. It is observed that the DFS
is decreasing with increasing percentage of additives added to the expansive soil.
Significant decrease in D.F.S. is recorded in stabilized expansive clay with addition of
20%SS and 6% Cement.
Particular MDD(g/cc) OMC (%)
Expansive Soil 1.38 24.89
Expansive Soil + 5% Steel Slag + 2% Cement 1.47 22.66
Table 5.3: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on Maximum Dry Density and
Optimum Moisture Content of Expansive Soil
The reductions in the DFS of stabilized expansive clay with addition of 20% SS
and 6% Cement 46.9% respectively compared with the expansive soil. The reduction in
DFS values could be supported by the fact that the double layer thickness is suppressed
by cation exchange.

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MDD
MDD
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Graph: 5.3 Shows the variation of MDD with the expansive soil
OMC
OMC
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Graph:6.4 Shows the variation of OMC with the expansive soil
5.2.3. Effect of Additives on MDD & OMC:
The increase in the strength with addition of additives may be attributed to the
cation exchange of steel slag and cement and soil between mineral layers and due to the
formation of silicate gel. The reduction in improvement in CBR beyond 20%SS and 6%
Cement is 16.87% of MDD & 53.45% OMC respectively , may be due to the absorption
of more moisture at higher chemical content.

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Particular CBR
Expansive Soil 2.2
Expansive Soil + 5% Steel Slag + 2% Cement 3.9
Table 5.4: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on CBR of Expansive Soil
CBR
CBR
10
8
6
4
2
0
Graph 5.5 Shows the variation of CBR with the expansive soil
5.2.4 Effect of Additives on CBR:
Graph 6.6 shows the variation of CBR of stabilized expansive soil with addition
of different percentages of steel slag and cement. It is can be seen that the CBR is
increasing with increasing percentage of steel slag and cement added to the expansive
soil. Significant increase in CBR is recorded in stabilized expansive clay with addition of
additives upto 20% SS and 6% Cement, beyond this percentage the increase in CBR is

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marginal. The increase in CBR values of stabilized expansive clay with addition of
additives are 74% respectively compared with the expansive soil.
Particular Unconfined Compressive

Strength (KPa)
1 day 7 days 14days
Expansive Soil 105 105 105
Expansive Soil + 5% Steel Slag + 2% Cement 152 241 288
Graph: 5.5 Shows the variation of UCS with the expansive soil
UCS
UCS( 1 DAY) UCS(7DAYS) UCS(14DAYS)
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Graph 5.6 Shows the variation of UCS with the expansive soil

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5.2.5. Effect of Additives on Shear Strength Properties:
The unconfined compressive strength of the remoulded samples prepared at MDD
and optimum moisture content with addition of steel slag and cement to the expansive
soil are presented in the table 6.3.The prepared samples are tested after 1day, 7 days and
14 days. As expected, the unconfined compressive strength is increasing with time may
be due chemical reaction. It is observed that the unconfined compressive strength of the
stabilized expansive soil is increasing with increase in percentage of additives added to
the soil.
The unconfined compressive strength of stabilized expansive clay is increased by
0% & 68.65% when treated with 20% SS and 6% Cement respectively. The increase in
the strength with addition of steel slag and cement may be attributed to the cation
exchange between mineral layers and due to the formation of silicate gel. The reduction
in strength beyond 20%SS and 6% Cement, may be due to the absorption of more
moisture at higher steel slag and cement.
The optimum percentage of different additives observed during the laboratory
experimentation are summarized and presented in the following Table.
Additives Optimum percentage
Expansive Soil +Steel Slag +Cement 20%SS + 6%C
Table 5.6 Shows Optimum percentage of different additives

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5.3 Summary:
In this chapter the results of various tests carried out in the laboratory are
discussed. Conclusions and further scope of study will be discussed in the next chapter .
5.4 Scope for Further Work:
 Advanced cyclic Tri axial tests may be conducted for further confirmation of test
results.
 Conducting field test

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CHAPTER: VI
CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn from the laboratory study carried out in this
investigation.
 It is observed that the decrease in the liquid limit is significant upto 20% SS and
6% Cement added to the expansive soil the percentage decrease is 67.34%,
beyond that, there is a nominal decrease.
 Marginal increase in plastic limits is observed with addition of additives to the
expansive soil. The increase in the plastic limit 18.36% and the decrease in the
liquid limit cause a net reduction in the plasticity index.
 Decrease in plasticity index is recorded with addition of additives to the expansive
soil. It is observed that, the reduction in plasticity indexes are 42%respectively for
20% SS and 6% added to the expansive soil.
 The shrinkage limit is increasing with 20% Steel Slag and 6% Cement addition; it
is observed that the shrinkage limit of stabilized expansive soil is increased from
0% to 33.33%
 The reductions in the DFS of stabilized expansive clay with addition of 20% SS
and 6% Cement 46.9% respectively compared with the expansive soil. The
reduction in DFS values could be supported by the fact that the double layer
thickness is suppressed by cation exchange.

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 The increase in CBR values of stabilized expansive clay with addition of additives
are 74% respectively for 20% SS and 6% treatment compared with the expansive
soil.
 The reduction in improvement in CBR beyond 20%SS and 6% Cement is 16.87%
of MDD & 53.45% OMC respectively.
 The unconfined compressive strength of stabilized expansive clay is increased by
0% & 68.65% when treated with 20% SS and 6% Cement respectively treatments
for a curing period of 14 days.

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REFERENCES
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Transactions of ASCE, Vol. 121, pp. 641-647.
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Soil Mechanics Conf., Colorado School of Mines, Colorado, pp. 1-26.
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Bulletin, No. 10, pp. 1-97.

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9. Gokhale, Y.C. (1969): “Some Highway Eng. Problems in Black Cotton Soil
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Cotton Soil with lime and Rice-Husk-Ash”, 13th Annual General Body Meeting of
Indian Geotechnical Society.
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soils determined by controlled suction tests”, Proc. of 3 rd Int. Conf on expansive
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Earth Materials”, Proc. of workshop on expansive clays and shales in highway
design and construction, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., pp.
200-217.
14. Sivanna, G.S. et al. (1976): “Strength and consolidation characteristics of black
cotton soil with chemical additives – CaCl2& KOH”, report prepared by
Karnataka Research station, Krsihnarajasagar, India.
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Proc. of the first national symposium on expansive soils, HBTI, Kanpur, pp. 10-1
to 10-5.
16. Lunkad, S.K. (1977): “The Effect of soil genesis and expanding layered lattice
mineral on the Eng. Index properties of residual trappean soils of malwapletearu”,

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proc. of the first National symposium on expansive soils, HBTI, Kanpur, India,
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IGS Annual Lecture, IGJ, Vol. 9, pp. 1-80.
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lane roads in black cotton soil area”, Indian Highways, pp. 5-11.
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slurry injection”, proc. of 10th Int. Conf. on IMFE, Vol. 3, Stockholm, PP. 707-
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Proc. of 10th ICSMFE, Stockholm, Vol. 3, pp. 735-738.
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“Comparative Study of Effect of Addition of Rice-Husk-Ash and Cinder-Ash to
Soil-Lime Mixtures”, Indian highways, Vol. 14, No. 8, pp 5-14.
23. Subbarao, K.S. (1986): “What Techniques other than Under-Reamed pile have
proven to be effective in minimizing foundation problem in black cotton soils”,
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swelling and partial shrinkage”, 6th Int. Conf. on Expansive soils, New Delhi, Vol.
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25. Chen, F.H. (1988): “Foundations on Expansive Soils”, Elsevier publications Co.,
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TRR-1219, TRB, pp. 103-112.
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Areas of Andhra Pradesh”, Proc. of IGC-89, Visakhapatnam, India Vol.1, pp 181-
184.
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with Local Expansive Clay (Stabilized with lime) as Subbase material”, Indian
highways, pp. 35-41.
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Book Co., New Delhi.
32. Hopkins, T.C., Hunsucker, D.Q. and Beckam, T. (1994): “Selection of Design
Strengths of Untreated Soil Subgrades and Sub grades treats with cement and
hydrated lime”, TRR-1440, TRB, pp. 37-44.
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TRR-1440, TRb, pp. 63-70.
34. Mukharjee, S.N. (1995): “Lime soil stabilization of black cotton soil with special
reference to pavements”, Proc. of IGC-95, Bangalore, pp. 153-156.

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35. Petry, M.T. (1997). “Performance based testing of chemical stabilizers”, TRR-
1219, TRB, pp. 36-41.
36. Ramana Murthy, V. (1998): “Study on swell pressure and method of controlling
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reinforced and chemical stabilization of expansive soil subgrades”. A Ph.D Thesis
submitted to Kakatiya University, Warangal, (A.P.).

IJSART - Volume 4 Issue 8 – AUGUST 2018 ISSN [ONLINE]: 2395-1052
An Experimental Study on Effect of Steel Slag And

Cement on The Subgrade of The Pavement
D S S A Sowbagya 1 P Mehar Lavanya 2
2
Assistant Professor
1, 2
Kakinada Institute of Engineering and Technology, Korangi,
E.G Dist. Andhra Pradesh
Abstract- Expansive soils are containing the swelling minerals Proper remedial measures are to be adopted to
such as illite and montmorillonite, they may cause extreme modify the soil or to reduce its detrimental effects if expansive
damage to structures, especially when these soils are soils are identified in a project. The remedial measures can be
subjected to wetting and drying conditions. High expansion different for planning and designing stages and post
and reduction in shear strength and subgrade strength will construction stages. Many stabilization techniques are in
take place due to the increase in water content of these soils. practice for improving the expansive soils in which the
The by-product of steel slag increasing day to day with a huge characteristics of the soils are altered or the problematic soils
quantities and it is a major problem to disposal it. are removed and replaced which can be used alone or in
conjunction with specific design alternatives. Additives such
In this work, the by-product of steel slag and as lime, cement, calcium chloride, rice husk, fly ash etc. are
binders(cement) are varying percentages of, 0, 5, 15, 20 & also used to alter the characteristics of the expansive soils.
30% and 0, 2%, 4%, 6% are added to the expansive soil to
improve the strength of the subgrade of pavements by II. REVIEW LITERATURE
conducting the California Bearing Ratio and UCS
Homland Security (2014) In wet seasons, these soils swell
It was observed that the maximum strength attained and become soft as they gain water, while in dry seasons they
at 20% of steel slag and 6% of cement of additives added to shrink and become hard as they lose water. This behaviour is
the expansive soils, beyond that there is a marginal variation. expected to cause severe damage to structures that are built on
such soils. According to Wyoming Office of the USA looses
Keywords- Expansive soils, steel slag, binders, CBR and UCS. about $2.3 billion/year due to structural damage (including
buildings, roads, pipelines, and others) as a result of the
I. INTRODUCTION swelling behavior of the expansive soils.
Expansive soil is one among the problematic soils Many studies were carried out to reduce the damage
that has a high potential for shrinking or swelling due to effect of expansive soils (in terms of swelling or strength
change of moisture content. Expansive soils can be found on reduction) on structures. These studies used additives or
almost all the continents on the Earth. Destructive results admixtures as stabilizers (such as lime, cement, fly ash,
caused by this type of soils have been reported in many calcium chloride, olivewaste, and asphalt), geo-textiles, and
countries. In India, large tracts are covered by expansive soils compaction-moisture control among other methods.
known as black cotton soils. The major area of their
occurrence is the south Vindhyachal range covering almost the Al-Malack et al. (2016) used fuel oil fly ash (FFA) to
entire Deccan Plateau. stabilize marl soil. In their conclusions, the authors indicated
that the treated marl met the durability and strength
These soils cover an area of about 200,000 square requirements.
miles and thus form about 20% of the total area of India. The
primary problem that arises with regard to expansive soils is Sengoz (2016) et al, to be generated annually in Nigeria is
that deformations are significantly greater than the elastic disposed in an environment-unfriendly manner. Steel slag is
deformations and they cannot be predicted by the classical generally categorized based on its raw materials and
elastic or plastic theory. Movement is usually in an uneven production process into basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag and
pattern and of such a magnitude to cause extensive damage to electric arc furnace (EAF) slag. Unlike blast furnace slag,
the structures resting on them. BOF and EAF slags contain high unhydrated lime (CaO) that
causes it to volumetrically expand and this limits its use as a
Page | 126 www.ijsart.com

construction material. Researchers found out that steel slag IV. MATERIALS
can be used for manufacturing blended cement used as
aggregate in Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete Soil
and as unbound granular materials for road bases and sub-
bases. The black cotton soil collected from ‘muramalla’
village near Amalapuram, East Godavari District in India.
III. BINDERS
Table no: shows the properties of soil
Manikant Mandal and Dr, Mayajit Mazumdar (1995), a
study was made on the effect of additives on lateritic soil
stabilization with cement and lime. Particularly, the strength
and fatigue behaviour, under repeated flexure, of stabilized
latertic soil treated with additives, have not been studied in our
country till now.
Arumugam and K. Muralidharan (1997), stabilizing the

locally available soils and using them as subgrade materials
generally reduce the cost of pavement construction. It was
concluded that the mechanical stabilization saving in the
construction cost of pavement upto 43% has been effected.
Lime and cement stabilization saves the amount by 46.2% and
27.56% respectively.
Steel Slag:
T.Lopez-Lara, J.A. Zepeda-Garrido and V.M. Castario
(1999) this paper includes the evaluation of the main index
Steel slag is used for this study. The quantity of the
properties of the soil, along with a characterization of the this was varied from 0 to 30% by dry weight of soil.
materials through X-ray diffraction.
The steel slag aggregates (SSA) were obtained from
Abu siddique and Bipradasrajbongshi (2002), A study of
the Vishakhapatnam Steel plant. The aggregates that passed
Mechanical properties of a cement stabilized coastal soil for
1.0 inch sieve were used in this study. The specific gravity of
use in road construction, this paper present the soil cement
the fine and coarse portions of the aggregates were 3.1
stabilization with 1%, 3%, and 5% cement fulfill the
respectively. The chemical tests showed that the aggregates
requirements of road sub-base and base subjected to light were free of Cadmium (Cd) and Copper (Cu) elements.
traffic. Analyses using CIRCLY computer program were
Gravel size (%) = 88 Sand size (%) = 12.0 9
conducted to estimate the thickness of soil-cement for paved
Silt size (%) = 67.10 Clay size (%) = 23.5
and unpaved rural road maximum width 2.5 m and subjected
to anticipated design traffic loading of light cross country
Classification (USCS):CH–MH = GP
vehicle (LCCV), i.e, jeep.
Virender Kumar (2002). Costas A.Anagno– stopoulos

(2004), In this study, a laboratory test programme was carried
out to find out the effect of inclusion of cement and acrylic
resin on physical and engineering behaviour of a soft clay. A
series of tests are conducted with the addition of 5% to 30% of
cement contents and acrylic resin of 5%. It is concluded that Fig. shows the sample of steel slag
the development of strength and stiffness for a short curing
time (7 days) is delayed significantly because of A.R addition Table Properties of steel slag
while for long curing time (28 days) the engineering
parameters are increased considerably

Binders: in the liquid limit is significant upto20% SS and 6% Cement

added to the expansive soil, beyond that, there is a nominal
Ordinary Portland cement was used for this study. decrease.
The quantity of the cement was varied from 0 to 8% by dry
weight of soil. Maximum decrease in liquid limit for stabilized
expansive clay is observed at 20% SS and 6% Nominal
increase in plastic limit of stabilized expansive clay is
observed with increase the percentage of the additives.
Graph shows the variation of plasticity index with the

addition of steel slag and cement to expansive soil. The
increase in the plastic limit and the decrease in the liquid limit
cause a net reduction in the plasticity index.
It is observed that, the reduction in plasticity indexes

shows the sample of Cement are 100% respectively for 20% SS and 6% added to the
expansive soil. The reduction in plasticity index with steel slag
V. DISCUSSIONS ON TEST RESULT and cement treatment could be attributed to the depressed
double layer thickness due to cation exchanges steel slag and
Laboratory Test Results on Soil Stabilization binding property
The effect of adding different proportions of steel The variation of shrinkage limit with the percentage
slag and cement to the expansive soil on Atterberg limits, DFS of steel slag and cement added to the expansive soil is
and Strength Properties are discussed in the following presented in the graph.4. With increase in percentage of steel
sections. slag and cement added to the expansive soil the shrinkage
limit is increasing. With 20% ss & 6% binder additives
Table: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on Index addition, the shrinkage limit of stabilized expansive clay is
Properties of Expansive soil increased from 0% to 50%.
Table Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on DFS of

Expansive Soil
Graph: Shows the variation of Atterberg limits with the

expansive soil
Effect of Additives on Atterberg limits
The variation of liquid limit values with different

percentages of steel slag and cement added to the expansive
soil is presented in the graph. It is observed that the decrease Graph: Shows the variation of DFS with the expansive soil

Effect of Additives on DFS The increase in the strength with addition of additives
may be attributed to the cation exchange of steel slag and
The variation of DFS of stabilized expansive clay cement and soil between mineral layers and due to the
with addition of different percentages of steel slag and cement formation of silicate gel. The reduction in improvement in
is shown in the graph.5. It is observed that the DFS is CBR beyond 20%SS and 6% Cement, may be due to the
decreasing with increasing percentage of additives added to absorption of more moisture at higher chemical content.
the expansive soil. Significant decrease in D.F.S. is recorded
in stabilized expansive clay with addition of 20%SS and 6% Table: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on Maximum Dry
Cement. Density and Optimum Moisture Content of Expansive Soil
The reductions in the DFS of stabilized expansive

clay with addition of 20% SS and 6% Cement 1% chemical
are 46.87% respectively compared with the expansive soil.
The reduction in DFS values could be supported by the fact
that the double layer thickness is suppressed by cation
exchange.
Table: Effect of Steel Slag and Cement on CBR of

Expansive Soil
Graph: Shows the variation of MDD with the expansive

soil
Graph:Shows the variation of CBR with the expansive soil
Effect of Additives on CBR
Graph 6. shows the variation of CBR of stabilized

expansive soil with addition of different percentages of steel
slag and cement. It is can be seen that the CBR is increasing
Graph:Shows the variation of OMC with the expansive
with increasing percentage of steel slag and cement added to
soil
the expansive soil. Significant increase in CBR is recorded in
stabilized expansive clay with addition of additives upto 20%
SS and 6% Cement, beyond this percentage the increase in
CBR is marginal. The increase in CBR values of stabilized
expansive clay with addition of additives are 286.36%
respectively compared with the expansive soil.

Table: Variation of Undrained compressive strength of Optimum percentage of different additives

stabilized expansive clay
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn from the

laboratory study carried out in this investigation.

It is observed that the liquid limit values are
decreased by 40.24% respectively for  20% SS and
 6% Cement added to the expansive clay.

  with
Marginal increase in plastic limits is observed
addition of additives to the expansive soil.

 
Decrease in plasticity index is recorded with addition of
additives to the expansive soil.

The shrinkage limit is increasing with 20% Steel Slag
and 6% Cement addition; it is observed that the
 
shrinkage limit of stabilized expansive soil is
increased from 0% to 50%

 20% SS and 6%
The D.F.S values are decreased by
Cement treatments respectively.

 
The CBR values are also increased by 286.36%
respectively for 20% SS and 6% treatment
Graph: Shows the variation of UCS with the expansive soil 
The UCS values are increased by 219% respectively
for 20% SS and 6% treatments for a curing period of
Effect of Additives on Shear Strength Properties 14 days.
The unconfined compressive strength of the VII. SCOPE FOR FURTHER WORK
remoulded samples prepared at MDD and optimum moisture
content with addition of steel slag and cement to the expansive 
soil are presented in the table 4.6. The prepared samples are  may be conducted for further
Advanced cyclic Tri axial tests
confirmation of test results.
tested after 1day, 7 days and 14 days. As expected, the  
Conducting field test
unconfined compressive strength is increasing with time may
be due chemical reaction. It is observed that the unconfined REFERENCES
compressive strength of the stabilized expansive soil is
increasing with increase in percentage of additives added to [1] Holtz, W.G. and Gibbs, H.J. (1956): “Eng. Properties of
the soil. Expansive Clays”, Transactions of ASCE, Vol. 121, pp.
641-647.
The unconfined compressive strength of stabilized [2] Holtz, W.G. (1959): “Expansive Clays – Properties and
expansive clay is increased by 219% & 51.16% when treated Problems”, First Annual Soil Mechanics Conf., Colorado
with 20% SS and 6% Cement respectively. The increase in the School of Mines, Colorado, pp. 1-26.
strength with addition of steel slag and cement may be [3] Low, P.F. (1959): “Physico-chemical properties of soils:
attributed to the cation exchange between mineral layers and ion exchange phenomena”, Discussion paper by A.W.
due to the formation of silicate gel. The reduction in strength Taylor, Journal of the soil mechanics and foundation
beyond 20%SS and 6% Cement, may be due to the absorption division, ASCE, Vol. 85, No. SM2, pp. 79-89.
of more moisture at higher steel slag and cement. [4] Mc Dowell, C. (1959): “Stabilization of Soils with Lime,
Lime-flyash and other Lime reactive minerals”, HRB,
The optimum percentage of different additives Bulletin No. 231.
observed during the laboratory experimentation are [5] Taylor, A.W. (1959): “Physico Chemical Properties of
summarized and presented in the following Table. Soils: Ion Exchange phenomena”, Journal of Soil
Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE, Vol. 85,

[6] Leonards, G.A. (1962): “Foundation Engineering”, Mc- controlled suction tests”, Proc. of 3rd Int. Conf on
Graw Hill Book Co., New Delhi. expansive soils, Haifa, Israel, Vol 1, pp 177-185.
[7] Davidson, L.K., Demirel, T. and Handy, R.L (1965): [20] Jones, D.E. and Holtz, W.G. (1973): “Expansive Soils –
“Soil Pulverization and Lime Migration in Soil-Lime the Hidden Disaster”, Civil Eng., Vol. 43, No. 8.
stabilization”, Highway Research Record-92, pp 103-126.
[8] Uppal, H.L. (1965): “Field Study on the Movement of
Moisture in Black Cotton Soils under road pavements”,
Symposium on Moisture Equilibrium and Moisture
changes in soils beneath covered areas, Butterworths,
Australia, pp. 687-693.
[9] Williams, A.A.B. (1965): “The Deformation of Roads
Resulting from Moisture changes in expansive soils in
south Africa”, a symposium on moisture equlibria and
moisture changes in soils beneath covered areas,
Butterworths, Australia, pp. 143-155.
[10] Katti, R.K., Kulkarni, K.R. and Radhakrishnan, N.
(1966): “Research on Black Cotton Soils without and with
Inorganic Additives”, IRC, Road Research Bulletin, No.
10, pp. 1-97.
[11] Ring, W.E. (1966): “Shrink-Swell Potential of Soils
Highways Research Record No. 119, National Academy
of Sciences, National Research Council Publication No.
1360, Washington D.C.
[12] Yong, R.N. and Warkentin, B.P. (1966): “Introduction to
Soil Behavior”, GMC Millan Co., New York.
[13] Nordquist, E.C. and Bauman, R.D (1967): “Stabilization
of expansive mancos shale”, Proc. of 3rd Asian Regional
Conf. on soil mechanics and foundation Eng., Vol.1,
Israel.
[14] Ho, M.K (1968): “Swelling Characteristics of Expansive
Clay with Access to Common Electrolytes”, Proc. of the
Southeast Asian Regional Conf. on soil Eng., Asian
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[15] Gokhale, Y.C. (1969): “Some Highway Eng. Problems in
Black Cotton Soil Region”, Proc. of the Symposium on
characteristics of and construction techniques in black
cotton Spil, pp, 209-212.
[16] Holtz, W.G. (1969): “Volume Change in Expansive Clay
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Research and Eng. Conf. on expansive clay soils, Texas A
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[17] Roy, S. and Char, A.N.R. (1969): “Eng. Characteristics of
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[18] Ramannaiah, B.K., Sivananda, M and SatyaPriya, (1972):
“Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil with lime and Rice-
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[19] Chu. T.Y. AND Mou, C.H. (1973): “Volume Change
Characteristics of expansive soils determined by

ART ISSN [ONLINE] : 2395-1052
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an experimental study on effect of steel slag and cement on the subgrade of
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ART ISSN [ONLINE] : 2395-1052
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an experimental study on effect of steel slag and cement on the subgrade of
the pavement
Published in E-Journal
Volume 4,Issue 8 in August 2018
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AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF STEEL SLAG

AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE PAVEMENT

Under the guidance of

KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Yanam Road, Matlapalem, Talarevu Mandal, Korangi, Andhra Pradesh-533461.

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

roject Guide Head of the Department

Mrs. P.MEHAR LAVANYA, M.Tech; Dr.Ch. BAVANARAYANA, Ph.D

Assistant Professor Professor

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

M.TECH THESIS EVELUATION REPORT

P.Meher Lavaanya, M.Tech

Assistant Professor …………………………

2. Head Of The Department

Dr. Ch. Bavanarayana

3.External Professor …………………………….

I am extremely indebted to Mrs. P. MEHER LAVANYA in Civil Engineering Department

I express my sincere thanks to Dr. A.RAVI KUMAR, Principal, in Civil Engineering

With Sincere regards,

OF STEEL SLAG AND CEMENT ON THE SUBGRADE OF THE PAVEMENT” is a

Department of Civil Engineering, KAKINADA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING &

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

With Sincere regards,

CHAPTER- 2 SOIL STABILISATION 16-21

2.2 Mechanisms of Stabilization

2.3.1. Mechanical stabilization 17-18

2.3.2 Chemical stabilization 19-20

2.3.3. Geosynthetic stabilization 20-21

2.5 Thesis Organization 21

CHAPTER 3: REVIEW LITERATURE 22-31

3.2 Steel Slag 26-30

3.3 Binders 30-31

CHAPTER 4: MATERIALS & METHODOLOGY 32-47

4.2.2 Steel Slag 33

4.3 Laboratory Experimentation

4.3.1 Atterberg Limits

4.3.1.1 Liquid Limit 34-36

4.3.1.2 Plastic Limit 36-37

4.3.1.3 Shrinkage Limit 38-39

4.3.2 Compaction Properties 39-41

4.3.3 Differential Free Swell 41-42

4.3.4 Strength Tests 43

(a) CBR Sample Preparation 43-44

(b) UCS Sample Preparation 45-

CHAPTER-5 DISCUSSIONS ON TEST RESULTS 48-56

5.2 Laboratory test Results on Soil Stabilization 48

5.2.1 Effect of Additives on Atterberg Limits 49

5.2.2 Effect of Additives on DFS 51

5.2.3 Effect of Additives on MDD & OMC 52

5.2.4 Effect of Additives on CBR 53

5.2.5 Effect of Additives on Shear Strength Properties 55

5.4 Scope of Future Work 56

CHAPTER-6: CONCLUSIONS 57-58

Plate 1.1 Shows the Expansive soil

Plate 1.2 Shows the stiffening of foundation & super structure

Plate 1.3 Shows the mat foundation

Plate 1.4 Shows the CNS layer

Plate 1.5 Shows the surcharge loading

Plate 1.6 Shows the pre wetting

Plate 1.7 Shows the reinforced soil

Plate 1.8 Shows the steel slag

Plate 1.9 Shows the cement