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Stabilization of soil using Fly ash with ground granulated blast furnace slag
(GGBS) as binder

Article · April 2019

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

Stabilization of soil using Fly ash with ground

granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as binder
C.Neeladharan1, A.Muralidharan1, K.Mohan,1 A. Mohamed Sayeed2, V.I Arshad Azeez2, V.S Mohammed
Faizan2, A.Yasir Arafath2
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, C.Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering and Technology,
Melvisharam, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India#
2. UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering, C.Abdul Hakeem College of Engineering and Technology,
Melvisharam, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India#
ABSTRACT:

Stabilization is a broad sense for the various methods employed and modifying the properties of a soil to improve its
engineering performance and used for a variety of engineering works. These studies briefly describe the suitability
of the local Fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) for soil stabilization improves its engineering
property. The present investigation deals with the behavioral aspect of soil when mixed with Fly ash and GGBS.
The outcome of this investigation intends to minimize the cost of conventional materials such as cement, lime, etc.
Used in stabilizing of soil becoming expensive. The varying percentage of Fly ash and GGBS were with mixed with
soil sample to conduct the soil test. On addition of 15% of fly ash and 10% of GGBS the soil changes from CH
group to ML group increase of shear strength of soil (according to IS 1498-1970). The shear strength of soil sample
decreases on addition of 20% of Fly ash and 5% of GGBS.

Key Words: Stabilization of soil, Fly ash, GGBS, Soil test, Shear test, CBR test.

1. INTRODUCTION
Soil stabilization is the alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties. Stabilization can increase the shear
strength of a soil and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a soil, thus improving the load bearing capacity of a
structures as well as sub-grade to support pavements and foundation. Soil stabilization can be explained as the
alteration of the soil properties by chemical or physical means in order to enhance the engineering quality of the soil.
The main objectives of the soil stabilization is to increase the bearing capacity of the soil, its resistance to
weathering process and soil permeability. In this project we collect clayey type soil three different places. Soil with
large amount of clay is sometimes hard to work with, due to some clay characteristics. In this project, soil stabilized
by using fly ash with GGBS. Over the last few years use industries wastes like blast furnace slag, fly ash, rice husk
ash, steel slag, bagasse ash, marble dust, ceramic tiles waste etc. The study also focuses at reduction of huge
stockpile of various industrial wastes and their potential impact on the environment. The outcome of the stabilization
also reduce the cost of the material using for soil stabilization.

2.LITERATURE SURVEY:
A paper on “Investigated the effect of GGBS on engineering property of soil” done by Mr. Ashish Kumar
Pathak and Dr.V.Pandey, (2014). The investigation showed that generally the engineering properties which
improved with addition of GGBS. The addition of GGBS resulted in a dramatic improvement within the test ranges
covered in the programme. The maximum dry density increased and the optimum moisture content decreased with
the increasing GGBS content and at 25% we got the maximum value of dry density.

A paper on “Effect of Fly ash on engineering properties of expansive soil through an experimental
programme” done by Mr.Phanikumar Sharma (2004). The addition of Fly ash of 20% by weight of soil reduces
plasticity FSI about 50%. When the Fly ash content increases there is a decreases in the optimum moisture content
and the maximum dry density increases.

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

A paper on “Utilization of industrial waste materials in the improvement of soils” done by Mr.Oormila.T.R,
(2014). The utilization of industrial waste materials in the improvement of soils is a cost efficient and environmental
friendly method. The different percentage of Fly ash (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and GGBS (15%, 20%, 25%) was
added to find the variation in its original strength. It was found that optimum GGBS (20%0 gives the maximum
increment in the CBR value compared with all the other combination.

A paper on “Fly ash and GGBS mixtures for Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Application” done by
Mr.Anil Kumar Sharma and Mr.P.V.Sivapullaiah, (2016). Addition of Fly ash and GGBS based binder was
found to decrease liquid limit and plasticity index of the soil. The increase in shrinkage limit shows resistance to
volume change. Fly ash and GGBS mixture at mixing 70.30 provides a better opportunity for utilization in various
Geotechnical and Geo-environmental application.
3. METHODOLOGY:-
The properties of natural soil and compaction and strength properties of blended mixes (fly ash and GGBS) will be
evaluated in the laboratory and results will be compared. The following laboratory tests are to be carried out as per
IS: 2720 for both the normal soil and stabilized soil.

Literature

Material collection

Soil sample collection

Test on stabilized soil

Standard proctor test Direct shear test CBR test

Result and Discussion

4.MATERIAL USED:

4.1 SOIL:
The soil sample for this study was collected from nearby locality of kalmia village, Ratnagiri, Vellore district in
India. The soil was in clayey to perform the various experimental studies.

4.2FLY ASH:

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

 Fly ash is also known as “pulverized fuel ash” is one of the coal combustion product, composed of the fine
particles that are driven out of the boiler with flue gases from power plants.
 Depending upon the source and type of coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all
Fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O2) and calcium oxide
(CaO).
 The specific gravity of Fly ash is range between 1.9 to 2.96, having fineness of passing 45 microns and size
ranges between 10 to 100 micron.
 Types of Fly ash based on IS 3812-1981

 Grade-1 (SiO2+Al2O2+Fe2O3) > 70%

 Grade-2 (SiO2+Al2O2+Fe2O3) > 50%

4.3 GROUND GRANULATED BLAST FURNACE SLAG (GGBS):

 GGBS is obtained by quenching molten iron slag (a by-product of iron and steel-making) from a blast furnace
in water or stream, to produce a glassy, granular product that is then dried and ground into fine powder.

 It has cementitious property which acts as binding material for the soil.

 The specific gravity of the ground granulated blast furnace slag is 2.95

5. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
5.1 ATTERBERG LIMITS
5.1.1 LIQUID LIMIT
The liquid limit of a soil water content at which the soil behaves practically like liquid, but it has small shear
strength. It flows to close the groove in just 25 blows in casagrande’s liquid limit device. Take about 120g of air
died soil sample passing 425 µ IS Sieve. Mix the sample thoroughly with distilled water in an evaporating dish or a
glass plate to form a uniform paste. Place the specimen in an air tight container for the water content
determination .Determine the water content. Draw the flow curve between water content and number of blows,
and determine the liquid limit corresponding to 25 blows.

OBSEVATION TRIAL 1 TRAIL 2 TRAIL 3

No.of blows 23 19 29
Weight of 21 21 21
Container (W1)
Weight of 41 46 44
Container + Wet
Soil (W2)

Weight of 34 36 33
Container + oven dry
Soil (W3)
Moisture content 53.85 66.67 91.67
CALCULATION:

Moisture content = (W2 -W3) / (W3 - W3) x100

= (41-34) / (34-21) x100=53.85%

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

5.1.2 PLASTIC LIMIT:

The plastic limit of the soil is the water content of the soil below which it ceases to plastic. It brings to crumble
when rolled into threads of 3mm diameter. Take about 20gm of air dried soil thoroughly, mixed sample of the
soil passing 425 µ sieve. Mix the soil with distilled water in an evaporating dish on a glass plate to make it
enough shape into a small ball. Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread in a moisture content container.
Repeat the procedure at least twice more with fresh sample of plastic soil each time

Trail Weight of Weight of Weight of Water

No Container (W1) Container Container + Content
+Wet soil (W2) Oven dry
Soil (W3)
1 22 45 37 53.33

2 22 54 46 33.33
3 22 47 39 47.05
Average plastic limit 44.44%

CALCULTION:

Moisture content = (W2 -W3) / (W3 - W3) x100

= (45-37) / (37-22) x100
= 53.33%

5.1.3 Plasticity index sample on replacement of Fly ash and GGBS

%of Fly ash %of GGBS Liquid limit Plastic limit Plasticity index GROUP
(IS1498- (IS1498-
1970) 1970)

Weak soil 70.73 34.55 37.03 CH

5% 2.5% 58.125 49.005 27.83 CH
5% 60.925 39.96 29.87 CH
7.5% 55 39.425 25.55 CI
10% 41.22 33.56 15.49 CI
10% 2.5% 40.18 44.165 14.73 CL
5% 55.15 36.305 25.66 CI
7.5% 48.55 40.91 20.84 CI
10% 42.92 50.23 16.73 CL
15% 2.5% 40.2 44.17 14.75 CL
5% 41.22 33.56 15.5 CI
7.5% 29.67 28.08 7.06 ML
10% 28.94 25.47 6.53 ML
20% 2.5% 48.53 41.25 20.83 CI

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

80 60
70.73 50 49.005 50.23
60 58.125 40 40.91 41.25
48.55 48.53 34.55 33.56
40 41.22 42.92 30 28.08 25.47

Plastic limit
liquid limit

29.67 28.94 20
20
10
0 0
0% fly 5% fly 5% fly 10% 10% 15% 15% 20% 0% fly 5% fly 5% fly 10% 10% 15% 15% 20%
ash & ash & ash & fly ash fly ash fly ash fly ash fly ash ash & ash & ash & fly ash fly ash fly ash fly ash fly ash
0% 2.5% 10% & & 10% & & 10% & 5% 0% 2.5% 10% & & 10% & & 10% & 5%
GGBS GGBS GGBS 7.5% GGBS 7.5% GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS 7.5% GGBS 7.5% GGBS GGBS
GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS

% Of fly ash and GGBS % Of fly ash and GGBS

Fig 1: liquid limit result with varying with %of Fly ash andGGBSFig 2: plastic limit result with varying with %of Fly ash andGGBS

5.2 STANDARD PROCTOR TEST:

Compaction is the process of dandification of soil by reducing air voids. The degree of compaction of a given soil is
measured in terms of its dry density. The dry density is maximum at optimum water content.2.5 kg of dry soil
passing through 4.75 mm IS sieve was taken. The 8% of water is added to the soil and it was mixed thoroughly to
ensure the uniform distribution of moisture and attach the collar to the mould. One part of soil is placed in the mould
and it was compacted with 25 blows by using 2.5 kg rammer. The second layer should also be compacted by 25
blows.

Dry density of sample replace with 15 % Fly ash & 10% GGBS
%of H2O Weight of Weight of Weigh of Wet unit Dry unit
Added mould with compacted soil compacted weight weight
base plate + base plate Soil (gm) (gm/cc) (gm/cc)
(gm) (gm)
8 3571 5493 1922 1.958 1.64
12 3571 5769 2198 2.24 1.878
16 3571 5693 2122 2.16 1.81
20 3571 5519 1948 1.914 1.663
24 3571 5496 1925 1.96 1.643

Moisture content by oven dry method (W) = 0.193

1.878
1.8 1.81
1.64 1.663 1.643
1.6
Dry density

1.4
1.2
1
8 12 16 20 24

% Of H2O added

Fig 3: OMC AND MDD for 15% of Fly ash & 10% GGBS

Report: The maximum dry density is 1.878 and OMC is 12 % for soil mixed with 15% of Fly ash & 10% GGBS

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

5.3 DIRECT SHEAR TEST:

Shearing stress are induced in a loaded soil and when these stress reach their limiting value, deformation starts in the
soil which leads to failure of the soil mass. The shear strength of a soil is it resistance to the deformation caused by
the shear stress acting on the loaded soil. Place the weight on the loading yoke to apply a normal stress of 25KN/m2. The
proving ring should also read zero. Record readings of the proving ring. Continue the test till the specimen fails. Repeat the test
on identical specimen under the normal stresses of 0.2kg, 0.4kg, 0.6kg, 0.8kg respectively.

Shear stresses for replaced with 15% Fly ash 10% GGBS

S.NO Normal stress Proving ring Shear load failure Shear stress at failure
(Kg) reading (div) (kg) (kg/cm2)
1 0.2 34 12.19 0.338
2 0.4 43 13.11 0.364
3 0.6 48 14.39 0.399
4 0.8 62 17.98 0.499

0.35 0.338
0.3 0.281
0.25 0.245
0.2 0.219
0.191 0.195
0.15 0.138 0.137
0.1
0.05
0
0% fly ash 5% fly ash 5% fly ash 10% fly 10% fly 15% fly 15% fly 20% fly
& 0% & 2.5% & 10% ash & ash & ash & ash & ash & 5%
GGBS GGBS GGBS 7.5% 10% 7.5% 10% GGBS
GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS

% Of fly ash and GGBS

Fig4:Variation of shear stress on different % of Fly ash & GGBS

5.4 CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST:

The California Bearing Ratio is conducted for evaluating the suitability of the sub grade and material used in sub
base used and base of a flexible pavement. Take about 4.5 to 5.5 kg material. Mix it thoroughly with required
quantity of water. Fix the extension collar of the top mould also fix the base plate of the bottom. The soil is to be
compacted into 3 equal layer; each layer is given 56 blows by 2.6kg rammer with drop of 310mm.Remove the
extension collar. Trim even the excess compacted soil carefully with a straight edge with top of mould. Place a filter
disc on the base plate. Invert the mould with compacted soil. Clamp the base plate Applied load on the plunger.
Record the load corresponding the penetration of 0.0,0.5, 1.0, 1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0,4.0,5.0,7.5, 10.0 and 12.5mm.

CBR value for replacement of 15% of Fly ash and 10% of GGBS
Penetration(mm) Unit standard S.No Penetration(mm) Dial gauge load
load(kg/cm2) reading
2.5 70 1 2.5 589 11.88
5 105 2 5 638 16.11
7.5 134 3 7.5 787 18.14
10.0 162
4 10.0 913 19.33
12.5 183
5 12.5 1011 20.10

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Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886

CBR value @ 2.5mm penetration = (11.88/70) x100 =16.97%

CBR value @ 5mm penetration = (16.11/105) x100 =15.34%
CBR value @ 7.5mm penetration = (18.14/134) x100 =13.54%
CBR value @ 10mm penetration = (19.33/162) x100 =11.93%
CBR value @ 12.5mm penetration = (210.10/183) x100=10.98%

18 16.97
13 12.07 12.87
10.47
8
CBR value

6.8
3 4.06 4.21
1.543
-2
0% fly 5% fly 5% fly 10% fly 10% fly 15% fly 15% fly 20% fly
ash & 0% ash & ash & ash & ash & ash & ash & ash & 5%
GGBS 2.5% 10% 7.5% 10% 7.5% 10% GGBS
GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS GGBS

% Of fly ash and GGBS

Fig 5: variation of load different % of Fly ash & GGBS

CONCLUSION:
The study has been conducted to assess the potential of Fly ash and GGBS foe stabilization of same nature of soil
and detailed comparison has been presented based on various properties of soil. It is observed that with the increase
of Fly ash and GGBS percentage, optimum moisture content goes on decreasing, while maximum dry density goes
in increasing. The addition of 15% of Fly ash and 10% of GGBS changes the soil group from CHtoML group
according to IS1498:1970. The shear stress increases with addition of 15% Fly ash and 10% GGBS and tends to
decrease beyond this limit. The CBR value increases with increases in amount of Fly ash and GGBS attained
maximum value at 15% and 10% respectively. It is concluded that the use of 15%of Fly ash and 10% of GGBS
by weight of soil is recommended for better result. It is also concluded that combined use of Fly ash and
GGBS can be advantageous when compared to using them individually.

REFERENCES
1. Dayalan.J, (2016), “Comparative study on Stabilization of soil with fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast
Furnace Slag (GGBS)”, International research journal of engineering and technology (IRJET) vol-3, issue-5,
May-2016\
2. C. Neeladharan, V. Vinitha, B. Priya, S. Saranya, “Stabilisation of soil by using tiles waste with Sodium
Hydroxide as Binder,” International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology,
vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 6762 - 6768, 2017. DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2017.0604094
3. C.Neeladharan, P.Sathish, “Stabilization of Soil by using Marble dust with Sodium Silicate as Binder,”
International Journal of Advanced Research Trends in Engineering and Technology, vol.5, no.5, pp. 45-49,
2018. DOI:10.20247/IJARTET.2018.05S0503009
4. Ashish Kumar Pathak, Dr.V.Pandey, (2014), “Soil Stabilization Using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag”,
International Journal of Engineering Research and Application, Vol-4, issue-4, May-2014, pp, 164-171.
5. Phanikumar B.R, & Radhey S.Sharma (2004), “Effect of fly ash on Engg properties of Expansive soil” Journal
of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol-130, issue-7, July 2004, pp.764-767.
6. Oormila T.R, Preeti.T.V (2014), “Effect of Stabilization Using Fly ash and GGBS in Soil Characteristics”,
International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), Vol-11, No-6, May 2014, pp.284-289.
7. Anil Kumar Sharma, A.M.ASCE; and P.V.Sivapullaiah (2016), “Fly ash GGBS mixture foe Geotechnical and
Geo-Environmental Applications”, GSP 272.

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