Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil Using Shredded Tyre Rubber and Fly Ash

Abstract

Within the context of the process of stabilizing black cotton soil (BCS), this study makes an investigation into the utilization of shredded tire rubber (STR) and fly ash (FA). This means that black cotton soil has the potential to cause severe structural damage because of its high swelling and shrinking tendencies. Black cotton soil is infamous for its high swelling and shrinking tendencies. In light of the fact that they are waste products, STR and FA are currently being investigated for their potential to act as stabilizers. Several laboratory studies, such as Atterberg limits, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California bearing ratio (CBR), and compaction tests, were conducted on soil samples that contained varying levels of STR and FA. These experiments were carried out on soil samples. As a result of the assimilation of these minerals, the strength of the soil is significantly increased, and the flexibility index is significantly decreased. This is the conclusion that can be drawn from the findings. A mixture that contains 10% STR and 20% FA is the optimal combination for boosting the properties of BCS, according to the findings of the study, which indicate that this mixture is essential.

Introduction

Black cotton soil (BCS), covering a large part of India, is an expansive soil with low strength and high plasticity due to its montmorillonite clay content, causing swelling and shrinking issues that challenge infrastructure development. Traditional stabilization methods using cement and lime are effective but costly and environmentally harmful. This research explores stabilizing BCS using industrial waste materials—shredded tyre rubber (STR) and fly ash (FA)—to improve soil strength, reduce plasticity, and control swelling while addressing waste disposal problems.

The study investigates various proportions of STR and FA in BCS through laboratory tests including compaction, Atterberg limits, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California bearing ratio (CBR), and swell index tests. Results show that:

• STR reduces the soil’s plasticity and improves flexibility, decreasing susceptibility to cracking.

• FA enhances soil strength and load-bearing capacity due to pozzolanic reactions forming cementitious compounds, also reducing swelling potential.

• The combination of 10% STR and 20% FA yields optimal results, significantly improving strength and flexibility while lowering plasticity.

Utilizing these waste materials provides an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to conventional stabilizers, benefiting both infrastructure performance and environmental sustainability. This approach is especially valuable in regions with extensive BCS coverage and abundant fly ash and tire waste.

Conclusion

The stabilization of black cotton soil using shredded tyre rubber and fly ash proved effective in improving its geotechnical properties. The study found that: • The plasticity index was significantly reduced with the addition of STR, improving soil flexibility. • Fly ash enhanced the strength and load-bearing capacity of BCS due to its pozzolanic reactions. • The combination of 10% STR and 20% FA was identified as the optimal mixture for stabilizing BCS, offering both environmental and engineering benefits. This research demonstrates the viability of using industrial waste materials in soil stabilization, contributing to both sustainable development and improved construction practices.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Yogesh Shivaji Kale, Dr. Shubhada S. Koranne. 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.