Laboratory CBR Values of Fly Ash under Different Conditions

IGC 2009, Guntur, INDIA

LABORATORY CBR VALUES OF FLY ASH UNDER DIFFERENT

CONDITIONS

K. Bandyopadhyay
Reader, Department of Construction Engineering, Jadavpur University (2nd Campus ), Kolkata–700098, India.
E-mail: kb@const.jusl.ac.in
Sunanda Bhattacharjee
Research Scholar, Department of Construction Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata–700098, India.
E-mail : s_bhattacharjee2007@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT: Fly ash is causing environmental pollution and requires large area of precious land for disposal. In context of
the road subgrade and embankments, it can be said that fly ash is a good material for geotechnical application. Laboratory
CBR values were determined for fly ash samples to compare the effects of different mode of compaction e.g. static and
dynamic, different energy level moisture variations from optimum conditions. Besides all the above, CBR tests were repeated
for inverted position of mould. In all the above cases results obtained show the trend of higher CBR values at 5.0 mm
penetration than at 2.5 mm penetration which is a contrast to the normal practice. Reason for this may be explained by the fact
that upper portion of the fly ash sample acts as over burden for the lower one at 5.0 mm penetration of the plunger. As a result
excess pore water gets dissipated through upper opening created by the plunger during 2.5 mm penetration and this causes
increase in effective stress of lower portion over the upper one. Similar findings are also reported by other researchers. Future
work is contemplated to repeat the same tests in field situation also. This work will be helpful for using fly ash as road
material.
1. INTRODUCTION conducted in accordance with relevant codes. Fly ash from
Farakka Thermal Power Station which produces approx.
There are about 110 million tonnes of fly ash per annum is 5000 metric ton of ash per day, has been studied.
produced as a waste material in the coal based thermal power
stations in the country. Use of fly ash in roads, airfields and
embankments are some of the areas that have attracted the 3. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
attention and use in large quantities. Due to lack of suitable
soil at many places it needs for alternative material according 3.1 Materials
to economical criteria Ministry of Environment & Forests The chemical, physical and engineering properties of ash
and specially Ministry of Road Transport and Highways depends on the type and source of coal used, method and
(MORT&H) has directed all its agencies to use fly ash for all degree of coal preparation, cleaning and pulverization, type
road embankment construction and structural fill work within and operation of power generation unit, ash collection,
a radius of 100 km from thermal power plant, as per Indian handling and storage methods etc. So the properties of fly
Road Congress Specification. Also National Highway ash vary from plant to plant and even within the same plant.
Authority of India (NHAI), a premier road and highway The mineral group present in coal, such as, hydrated silicate
agency in the country is utilizing fly ash on a massive scale. group (Kaolinite and montmorillonite etc), sulphate group
(quartz, feldspar, apatite etc) and their varying composition,
Almost the entire road network in India consists of flexible
play a major role in determining the chemical composition of
pavements. The design of flexible pavement is widely done
ash. During combustion the above minerals gets transformed.
using California Bearing Ratio (CBR) method of design. The The principal constituents of ash are silica, alumina and iron
overall performance of a pavement structure is directly oxide with smaller amounts of calcium oxide, magnesium
related to the strength of underlying subgrade layers. Fly ash oxide, sulphur and unburnt carbon.
compacted at optimum moisture content for a given
compactive effort will have dry density at its maximum and
consequently the maximum shear strength. 3.2 Methodology
The present investigation aimed at evaluating the California
2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF STUDY Bearing Ratio at different energy level, different mode of
compaction at optimum moisture content. The CBR is a
The present study aims at development of specifications for measure of resistance of a material to penetrate of a standard
use of these power plant wastes in road construction and their plunger of 50 mm diameter under controlled density and
suitability in embankment and subgrade or sub base of a road moisture conditions. The rate of penetration of plunger is
pavement has been investigated. All the laboratory tests were 1.25 mm/min. The CBR test was conducted (as per IS:2720-

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Laboratory CBR Values of Fly Ash under Different Conditions

Part 16) in CBR mould remolded by dynamic compaction 14.10% at MDD1.157 to 1.145 gm/cc. Similar trend was
with 2.5 Kg rammer at 3 layers of 55 blows at each layer for followed for light compaction of another two types of MDD
light compaction and 4.89 Kg rammer at 5 layers of 55 blows & OMC set of values. Static compaction shows the same
at each for heavy compaction and mould was also prepared rules as per Table 2.
in static compaction at compression testing machine of 1000
kN capacity at four types of respective maximum dry density Secondly CBR values were slightly higher for dynamic
level and optimum moisture conditions. Among the four compaction compared to static compaction as shown in Table
types maximum dry density and OMC, two sets were 1 & 2. In case of dynamic compaction impact energy is given
prepared in laboratory at heavy compaction, whereas another by manually.
two sets were prepared at light compaction in 1000 cc & There was no chance of variation of manual effort or impact
2240 cc mould respectively as per IS specifications. After by rammer in case of static compaction. Due to this reason
completion of CBR test into the mould, test was also
CBR values should be slightly higher for dynamic
performed in inverted position of tested mould. All the CBR
compaction compared to static compaction. Figure 1 shows
mould were soaked in water at four days before testing to
cater for the worst moisture content, that may prevail in the the 4 Days soaked CBR variations at dynamic and static
field. Soaked CBR tests were conducted at 100% MDD with compaction of 100% MDD for top and inverted face.
OMC and 97% MDD with OMC level.
19
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 18
Dynamic Top
The moulds were prepared at MDD = 1.157 gm/cc, OMC = 17 Face
32% in 2240 cc and MDD = 1.145 gm/cc, OMC = 36% in C B R (% )
16 Dynamic Inverted
1000 cc volume mould for heavy compaction. Another two 15 Face
sets of MDD and OMC were tested at 2240 cc and 1000cc 14 100% Static Top
mould respectively for light compaction. The actual values 13 Face
obtained were MDD =1.012gm/cc, OMC = 42%; at 2240 cc 12 100% Static
and MDD = 0.975 gm/cc, OMC = 45%; at 1000 cc volume 11 Inverted Face
mould.
10
0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.10 1.15 1.20
It was observed that CBR values decreased with decreasing MDD(gm /cc)
MDD and increasing OMC sets for both dynamic and static
compaction. From Table 1 it was observed that at the time of Fig. 1: 4 Days Soaked CBR Variation at Dynamic & Static
dynamic compaction CBR values decreased from 17.47% to Compaction of 100% MDD For Top and Inverted Face

Table 1: 4 Days Soaked CBR at Dynamic Compaction of 100% MDD for Top & Inverted Face
Type & mode of MDD,OMC , 4 Days soaked CBR( %) Design
compaction at Energy level & volume at proctor mould Penetration 4 days soaked
CBR mould F 2.5 mm 5.0 mm CBR (%)
1.157 gm/cc, 32% Heavy Compaction, T 16.59 17.47 17.47
2240cc
B 17.74 18.41 18.41
Dynamic 1.145 gm/c, 36% Heavy Compaction, T 12.62 14.10 14.10
100% MDD 1000 cc B 13.65 15.03 15.03
& OMC 1.012 gm/cc, 42% Light Compaction, T 11.62 12.02 12.02
2240 cc B 12.41 12.80 12.80
0.975 gm/cc, 45% Light Compaction, T 10.22 10.93 10.93
1000cc B 11.35 12.07 12.07

Table 2: 4 Days Soaked CBR at Static Compaction of 100% MDD for Top & Inverted Face
Type & mode of MDD,OMC, 4Days soaked CBR (%) Design
compaction at Energy level & volume at proctor mould Penetration 4 days
CBR mould F 2.5 mm 5.0 mm soaked CBR (%)
1.157 gm/cc, 32%, Heavy Compaction, T 14.52 16.00 16.00
2240cc B 15.54 16.76 16.76
1.145 gm/cc, 36%, Heavy Compaction, T 12.06 13.28 13.28
Static 1000 cc B 13.21 14.06 14.06
100% MDD & 1.012 gm/cc, 42%, Light Compaction, T 11.32 11.92 11.92
OMC 2240 cc B 12.18 12.99 12.99
0.975 gm/cc, 45%, Light Compaction, T 9.71 10.37 10.37
1000cc B 10.58 11.26 11.26

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 Laboratory CBR Values of Fly Ash under Different Conditions

Table 3: 4 Days Soaked CBR at Static Compaction of 97 % MDD for Top & Inverted Face
Type & 97% MDD & OMC 4 Days Soaked CBR( %) Design
mode of Penetration 4 days
compaction at F 2.5 mm 5.0 mm soaked
CBR mould CBR(%)
1.122 gm/cc, 32% T 13.07 14.06 14.06
B 13.94 14.64 14.64
1.111 gm/cc, 36% T 11.17 11.73 11.73
B 12.04 12.80 12.80
Static
0.982 gm/cc, 42% T 10.15 11.34 11.34
97% MDD &
B 10.88 12.21 12.21
OMC
0.946 gm/cc, 45% T 9.15 9.78 9.78
B 9.71 10.17 10.17

Table 3 and Figure 2 show the variation of CBR values at 15

97% MDD of static compaction for top and inverted face of
14
the mould. CBR value at 100% MDD was higher compared
to 97% MDD. The reason for that was variation of density. CBR(%)
13
97% Static
In all cases for 100% MDD &OMC, and inverted position of 12 (Top)

Dynamic and Static compaction, CBR values at 5.0 mm 97%

11 Static(Inverted)
penetration was higher compared to 2.5 mm penetration. The
reason for that was, in the CBR mould upper portion of fly 10
ash sample acts as a overburden layer compared to lower
9
portion. When plunger was lowered into bottom portion, the
0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.10 1.15
excess pore water was drained out due to overburden
97% MDD (gm/cc)
pressure of upper portion of fly ash and pressure due to
plunger. Therefore more excess pore water was dissipated at Fig. 2: 4 Days Soaked CBR Variation at Static Compaction
5.0 mm penetration of plunger compared to 2.5 mm. This of 97 % MDD For Top and Inverted Face
incident was happened when plunger was lowered gradually
towards the bottom of the mould. Due to dissipation of
excess pore water, pore pressure becomes very low or 5. CONCLUSIONS
negligible at lower portion of the mould and effective stress It was observed that CBR values decreased with decreasing
was higher at lower portion like 5.0 mm penetration MDD and increasing OMC sets for both dynamic and static
compared to 2.5 mm penetration and packing of fly ash compaction. CBR values at inverted face of the mould were
particle was oriented due to gain in effective stress. higher than the CBR value at normal face in case of four
Alternatively for fly ash load versus penetration curve has a days soaked condition.
continuous upward trend as a consequence with increase in
penetration. As a result load carrying capacity will also
increase. That is why in case of fly ash CBR value at 5.0 mm REFERENCES
penetration is higher. CBR values at inverted face of the
mould were higher than the CBR value at normal face in case IS 2720: Part 7:1980. Methods of Test for Soils – Part 7:
of four days soaked condition. When CBR was tested at Determination of water content – Dry Density Relation
normal top face of mould that face was placed in water at the using Light Compaction .
time of soaking. Water will flow from top to bottom and IS 2720: Part 8:1983. Methods of Test for Soils – Part 8:
saturation was truly completed throughout the mould. But at Determination of water content – Dry Density Relation
inverted position saturation path was not uniform throughout using Heavy Compaction .
the mould. For this reason CBR was higher when it was done
at inverted position. Another reason was at the time of IS 272 : Part 16 :1987. Method of Test for Soils – Part 16:
dynamic compaction mould was compacted by rammer at Laboratory Determination of CBR.
three or five layers at the direction of inverted face. IRC: SP: 58–2001. Guidelines for Use of Flyash in Road
Therefore impact energy was driven towards the inverted Embankments.
face.

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