International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2017, pp. 559–566, Article ID: IJCIET_08_06_062

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=6
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

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FLY ASH UTILIZATION IN ROAD

CONSTRUCTION WITH EXPANSIVE SOIL
R P Hardaha
Research Scholar, Dr. C. V. Raman University,
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India

M L Agrawal
Department of Civil Engineering, Govt. Engineering College,
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India

Anita Agrawal
Department of Chemistry, J.K. Institute of Engineering,
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India

ABSTRACT
In India, Thermal power plant is the major source of fly ash generation. They
produce more than 184 million-ton fly ash as by product. The Fly ash is obtained from
thermal power stations using pulverised coal as boiler fuel in the form of fine residue.
It creates the dual problem of disposal and environmental pollution. Chhattisgarh
state utilized about 32.69% of fly ash from their production in the year 2015-16. In
recent years, developing countries mainly focused on natural resources and energy
conservation. Such waste products generally deposited in landfills, have been
proposed for use as an alternate materials for construction. Hence we should try to
utilize the fly ash with expansive soil for road construction. This paper, deals with the
evaluation of the mechanical properties of fly ash and expansive soil. In present paper
soil and fly ash, both materials are separately determined and then the two are
combined in proportions of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of fly ash and interpretation the
same with results. The properties like swelling index, Optimum moisture content,
maximum dry density and California Bearing Ratio of the same are evaluated. It is
observed in this research work that use of fly ash is beneficial in road construction
with the expansive soil.
Keywords: Fly ash, Expansive soil, Swelling Index, CBR.
Cite this Article: R P Hardaha, M L Agrawal and Anita Agrawal. Fly Ash Utilization
in Road Construction with Expansive Soil. International Journal of Civil Engineering
and Technology, 8(6), 2017, pp. 559–566.
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 Fly Ash Utilization in Road Construction with Expansive Soil

1. INTRODUCTION
Day by day, globalizations and/or modernization increase the power consumption. Hence,
thermal power plants increase their capacity as per requirements or demands. As the power
production increases, fly ash generation from coal/lignite based thermal power stations also
increases. This fly ash requires huge land for dumping, which creates environmental problem.
As per report of Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi on “Fly Ash Generation at
Coal/Lignite Based Thermal Power Stations and its Utilization in the Country”, Fly ash
generation and utilization in India of last five years are tabulated below:
Table 1 Progressive Fly Ash Generation and Utilization in INDIA
(As Per report of Central Electricity Authority)
Sr. No. No. of Year FLY ASH
Coal/lignite Generation Utilization
based TPS (Million –ton) (Million-ton) (%)
1 124 2011-12 145.42 85.05 58.48
2 138 2012-13 163.56 100.37 61.37
3 143 2013-14 172.87 99.62 57.63
4 145 2014-15 184.14 102.54 55.69
5 151 2015-16 176.74 107.77 60.97
Average Utilization= (58.48+61.37+57.63+55.69+60.97) / 5 = 58.82, or say 59%

Figure 1 Generation & utilization of fly ash in India.

Above table shows that in last five years, approximately 59% of fly ash is utilized in India
and 41% is dumped. Similarly, in Chhattisgarh state, fly ash generation and utilization is
given below:
Table 2 Progressive Fly Ash Generation and Utilization in Chhattisgarh
(As Per report of Central Electricity Authority)
Sr. No. of Year FLY ASH
No. Coal/lignite Generation Utilization
based TPS (Million -ton) (Million –ton) (%)
1 11 2011-12 15.74 6.74 42.82
2 11 2012-13 18.81 7.27 38.66
3 14 2013-14 19.68 6.56 33.37
4 15 2014-15 21.91 8.60 39.24
5 19 2015-16 24.23 7.92 32.69
Average Utilization= (42.82+38.66+33.37+39.24+32.69) / 5 = 37.35, or say 37.5%

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 R P Hardaha, M L Agrawal and Anita Agrawal

Figure 2 Generation & utilization of fly ash in Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh, approximate 37.5% of fly ash is utilized; it means 62.5% of fly ash is
dumped in land. Hence, with reference to our country, Chhattisgarh state is far behind as per
utilization point of view. Table given below shows the major modes of fly ash utilization in
India:

Table 3 Major Modes of Fly Ash Utilization

(As Per report of Central Electricity Authority)
S. No. Mode 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
MT % MT % MT % MT % MT %
1 Cement 38.08 44.77 41.33 41.18 39.17 39.32 43.33 42.20 43.38 40.25
2 Bricks & Tiles 5.83 6.86 9.98 9.94 12.23 12.27 13.33 13.00 14.76 13.69
3 Reclamation of 14.21 16.71 11.83 11.78 11.75 11.78 12.02 11.72 12.53 11.63
low lying area
4 Mine Filling 7.74 9.10 10.34 10.30 11.20 11.24 11.04 10.77 10.33 9.59
5 Ash Dyke 5.86 6.89 10.93 10.89 10.32 10.36 9.80 9.56 10.61 9.84
Raising
6 Roads & Fly 5.54 6.51 6.02 6.00 4.98 5.00 3.40 3.32 5.00 4.64
Over
7 Agriculture 0.88 1.03 2.50 2.49 2.88 2.89 1.97 1.93 2.22 2.06
8 Concrete 0.63 0.74 1.03 1.03 0.91 0.92 0.76 0.74 0.78 0.73
9 Hydro Power -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.005 0.01 0.038 0.03
10 Others 6.28 7.38 6.41 6.39 6.19 6.22 6.87 6.70 8.12 7.54
TOTAL 85.05 100 100.37 100 99.62 100 102.54 100 107.77 100
As shown in table 3, it is clear that maximum consumption of fly ash in cement industry,
then brick and tiles manufacturing, reclamation of low lying area, mine filling, Ash dyke
raising etc. In road and fly overs approximate 5% of fly ash is utilized. Road plays a crucial
role in the development of the country. In this sector, it has a large potential for fly ash
utilization. Hence, especially for soft sub grade soil, more research is required for use of fly
ash in road construction.
In Chhattisgarh, expansive soils are a common problem. For this type of soil in summer
season, the moisture evaporates quickly causing deep and wide shrinkage cracks. On the other
hand, in rainy season water enters the cracks causes’ enormous swelling. Highway

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 Fly Ash Utilization in Road Construction with Expansive Soil

embankments in such type of soils suffer severe damages and the pavement gets disrupted, the
soil most of the state are mainly black cotton soil, which is clayey soil that can bear almost no
load when wet. This causes the land to erode heavily during the rainy seasons and especially
the roads are damaged.
Soil possess the following properties if used as a highway material; such as stability,
incompressibility, good drainage, ease in compaction, minimum volume change, permanency
of strength etc
For redemption of soft sub-grade has consisted of a typical approach for removal of poor
soil and its replacement with large quantities of crushed rock. The high cost for removal of
poor soils and transportation of selected aggregates, along with increasing interest in re-usable
industrial by products, has prompted investigations to find solutions that complement the need
of highway construction with those of the environment. Use of fly ash for stabilization of soft
sub-grade is one of these solutions being evaluated.
From the above an attempt has been made to utilize fly ash in 0, 10,20,30,40 and 50 per
cent with black cotton soil and the effect and engineering properties was evaluated.

2. SOIL AND FLY ASH FOR PRESENT STUDY

For this investigation, soil is collected from a depth of 1.5 m below ground level from Raipur,
Chhattisgarh, India. Similarly Fly ash used for present study was brought from M/s Sarda
Energy, Siltara, Raipur.

3. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FLY ASH

Table 4 Chemical composition of Indian Fly ash
Sr. No. Constituent Percentage Range (%)
1 Silica (SiO2) 49-67
2 Alumina (Al2O3) 16-29
3 Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) 4-10
4 Calcium Oxide (CaO) 1-4
5 Magnesium Oxide (MgO) 0.2-2
6 Sulphur (SO3) 0.1-2
7 Loss on ignition 0.5-3

4. LABORATORY TESTS ON SOILS, FLY ASH &THEIR MIXTURES

In this Experimental study the soil-Fly ash mixtures were prepared by mixing 10,20,30,40 and
50% of fly ash (by weight). All these mixtures were tested in the laboratory as per respective
IS codes for Swelling index, compaction characteristics and California Bearing Ratios.
Free Swell Index-In IS: 2720-Part 40, free swell of a soil is defined as increase in the volume
of a soil without any constraints, on submergence in water. Generally free swell ceases when
the water content reaches the plastic limit. The increase in volume as a percentage of initial
volume of soil is referred swelling index of soil.
Compaction Test- The test were carried out to determine the maximum dry density (MDD)
and optimum moisture content (OMC) of soil mixtures using Heavy compaction (Modified
Proctor Test) as per IS 2720-PartVII-1974. The mould used was 100 mm in diameter and
127.3 mm high. The samples were compacted in 5 layers by applying 25 blows to each layer
with a free fall of 450 mm of 4.89 Kg weight.

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 R P Hardaha, M L Agrawal and Anita Agrawal

California Bearing Ratio- The samples were prepared at OMC and compacted using
Dynamic Compaction (Modified Proctor Test) as per IS: 2720-Part VII-1974. The mould used
was 150 mm in diameter and 127.3 mm high. The samples were compacted in 5 layers by
applying 56 blows to each layer with a free fall of 450 mm of 4.89 Kg weight. The
penetration tests were carried out for samples soaked for 96 hours. The rate of penetration of
the plunger was kept at 1.25 mm per minute.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

5.1. Grain Size Analysis
Table 5 Grain size distribution of soil and fly ash
Sr. No. Fly ash Gravel (%) Coarse Sand Medium Sand Fine Sand (%) Silt & Clay
Content (%) (%) (%) (%)
1 0.0 4.80 1.40 2.80 4.40 86.60
2 100 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.00 79.00
Various sizes of particles in a given dry sample is found by a particle size analysis.

Table 6 Geotechnical Properties of Fly Ash:

S. No. Parameter Result/Value
1 Specific Gravity 2.4
2 Plasticity Non-Plastic
3 Maximum Dry Density (gm/cc) 1.2
4 Optimum Moisture Content (%) 35
5 Cohesion (kN/m2) Negligible
6 Angle of Internal Friction (Φ) 340
7 Particle size Distribution (%)
Clay size fraction 0
Silt size fraction 79

5.2. Free Swelling

Table 7 Free Swell Index
S. No. Material Free Swell Index (%)
(Soil+Fly ash)
(%)
1 100+00 66.6
2 100+10 50.0
3 100+20 33.3
4 100+30 20.6
5 100+40 9.10
6 100+50 4.2
Soils that undergo large volume changes with change in water content may be
troublesome if used for highway bases. The volume change can result in bumps in road and
crack the structures, since the volume changes over time may not and usually will not be
equal.
The degree of change in volume in black cotton soil depends upon; (a) amount and type of
clay mineral present (b) Fineness of clay (c) Soil structure (d) Salt concentration in pore water
(e) exchangeable cationvalence. Consolidation of pavement takes much time, due to poor

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 Fly Ash Utilization in Road Construction with Expansive Soil

drainage capacity of soil. Shear strength of soil decreases with increase in moisture. Bearing
capacity of soil is very low, resulting in extra thickness of pavement.
From experimental results as shown in table 7, that addition of fly ash reduces the
swelling behaviour of soil. So it is proved that fly ash controls the swell shrink property of
soil.

5.3. Compaction Test

Table 8 Modified Compaction Test of Black Cotton Soil and their admixtures with fly ash
Material
S. OMC MDD
(Soil+Fly ash)
No. (%) (Kg/cm3)
(%)
1 100+00 16.0 1.68
2 100+10 10.7 1.76
3 100+20 12.7 1.74
4 100+30 12.0 1.63
5 100+40 14.5 1.73
6 100+50 15.2 1.62
7 00+100 10.00 1.316
Aim of compacting a soil is to alter the desirable properties like reduction of
compressibility, water absorption and permeability and increase soil strength, bearing
capacity etc. For heavy transport and airports, higher compaction is necessary.
Generally, the following Factors which affect the compacted density of soil are:
• Type of Soil
• Moisture content
• Type of compaction
• Amount of compaction
• Method employed , and
• Admixtures used
As per results shown in table 8, In expansive soil, Maximum Dry Density increased
slightly up to 40% of fly ash, and then it decreased. Hence, It is shown that for depressive
clays the MDD increases first and then decreases with the increase in fly ash content.

5.4. California Bearing Ratio

Table 9 CBR Value of Black Cotton Soil and their admixtures with fly ash

S. Material CBR %
No. (Soil+Fly ash) % Soaked
1 100+00 2.06
2 100+10 2.47
3 100+20 2.47
4 100+30 2.68
5 100+40 2.67
6 100+50 2.47
7 00+100 4.129
This is most widely used method for the design of flexible pavements. Generally,
thickness of the different elements of a pavement is determined by the CBR value.

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 R P Hardaha, M L Agrawal and Anita Agrawal

It is observed from table 9, that addition of fly ash increases the California Bearing Ratio
of black cotton soil up to 40% fly ash mixture.

6. CONCLUSIONS
• CBR Value and dry density increases up to 40% fly ash mixture with black cotton soil. This
value is useful in estimating the thickness of flexible pavement.
• As percentage of Fly Ash increased, the free swell index of expansive soil decreases, resulting
in reduced swelling of soil. Thus improving its utility as road material.
• Fly ash utilization as construction material for enhancing the engineering properties of soil
reduces the demand of disposal and hence controls the source of pollution and protects the
environment.
• Fly ash utilization solves landfill problems and to provide geomechanically stable material.
Hence Fly ash is a economical alternative material in construction engineering.

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