Study on the Effect of Agricultural Solid Waste Bagasse Ash on the Properties of Expansive Soil

Abstract

Expansive soils swell under the influence of water and shrink when they become dry, and hence cause various problems and may also lead to failure of the structures built upon them. So, it is the duty of an engineer to evaluate and possibly modify the properties of the expansive soil before constructing any structure over the same. In this study, the industrial solid waste, Bagasse Ash, is used as an admixture to mix with the expansive soil. Bagasse Ash is generally deposited in an unscientific and random manner and causes reduction of valuable space and also leads to various geo-environmental problems. In this study an attempt is made to utilise the waste Bagasse Ash. After mixing the Virgin Expansive Soil with the Bagasse Ash, the soil properties are studied and the changes in the properties of the soil are evaluated at different percentages of Bagasse Ash. An effort is made to improve the strength of the expansive soil and reduce the plasticity index of the soil.