Soil Stablization by Using Plastic Waste

Abstract

The process of improving the physical and engineering properties of soil such as shear strength and bearing capacity is known as Soil Stabilization. Indian terrain is mostly occupied by black cotton soil. It is highly expansive soil which shows more swelling, shrinkage and settlement problems. Thus, Construction of buildings and other Civil Engineering structures on this soil is risky. Use of compaction technique or suitable admixtures like cement, lime and waste material like fly ash, etc can bring out the soil stabilization. But these are expensive additives. That we studied here suggest and proved that the use of plastic waste for stabilization of soils would reduce the problem of disposing plastic waste and also reduce environmental problems. It is seen that CBR test, Proctor test, Sieve analysis are performed to check the suitability of plastic waste as soil stabilizer. Sieve Analysis gives the physical properties of the soil sample. Modified Proctor Test gives the OMC and Dry Density of soil sample. CBR Test results the Optimum Plastic content. Optimum Plastic content is the percentage of plastic added in the soil sample above which the CBR value falls. Modified Proctor Test is recommended than Standard Proctor Test because the soil which is tested will be used for road construction which requires high compaction. soil stabilization is possible by plastic waste which is a cheap method of soil stabilization.

Introduction

The text discusses the growing environmental problem caused by the extensive use of plastic and its replacement of traditional materials like paper in packaging and household applications. It highlights how plastic waste has become a major environmental hazard due to its “use and throw” culture and increasing consumption, particularly in countries like India. Although recycling and reuse can reduce plastic waste, these measures have not been sufficient due to rapidly rising usage, making it necessary to find alternative solutions.

One such proposed solution is using plastic waste in soil stabilization. Soil stabilization improves weak soil properties through mechanical or chemical methods to enhance strength, reduce permeability, and improve load-bearing capacity. The literature review shows that adding plastic waste or similar materials can improve soil strength, increase internal friction, and enhance engineering properties, making it useful for construction purposes like roads and pavements.

The study’s objectives focus on evaluating the effect of plastic waste on clay soil properties, improving soil strength and stability, and providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for pavement construction.

The methodology mainly involves mechanical soil stabilization using waste plastic, along with experimental tests such as sieve analysis and specific gravity determination to assess soil characteristics.

Conclusion

1) The results of the study concluded that insertion of plastic waste material in clayey soils would be productive for ground improvement and soil stabilization in geotechnical engineering. 2) In the present study, different content of plastic waste in % by weight varying from 0% to 2% were added into the soil. 3) The optimum moisture content (16.35%) and in the maximum dry density(1.72g/cc) results respectively. 4) The swelling of the soil was reduced significantly at high percentages of plastic content because of replacement in an equal mass of expansive soil by non expansive plastic. Reduction in swelling. 5) Properties of soil can be improved by using waste plastic as stabilizer:- CBR value(4.3%) and Increase the strength of soil. 6) Reduction in consolidation settlement.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Satender Singh Mawai, Om Rawat , Aishwary Raj Shrivastava , Shashank Gupta. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.