Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference IGC-2014

December 18-20, 2014, Kakinada, India

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS OF

CLAY-SAND MIX AND CLAY-QUARRY DUST MIX
B. Manash, Post Graduate Student, Assam Engineering College, boruah.manash@gmail.com
C. Malaya, Assistant Professor, Assam Engineering College, mchetia.ce@aec.ac.in
A. Sridharan, Honorary Scientist, Indian National Science Academy, Formerly, Professor, IISC Bangalore,
sridharanasuri@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Sand is a well-accepted additive to the natural soil to improve its geotechnical properties. However,
sand is becoming a valuable and scarce material nowadays. Therefore, effort of geotechnical engineers is to replace
sand by any other material that is technically viable and economically feasible to improve the properties of soil.
Quarry dust which is produced in abundance is a quarry waste product from aggregate crusher can replace sand.
The objective of this paper is to analyse the replacement of sand with quarry dust and to investigate the influence of
sand and dust content on the compaction behaviour of soil-sand and soil-quarry dust mixtures. A series of Proctors
compaction tests were carried out with different sand and quarry dust content with a locally available clayey soil of
liquid limit of 42.4% and of plastic limit of 20.2%. The grain size distribution of sand/quarry dust was kept almost
the same. The study indicates that the maximum dry density of the mixes increases and the optimum moisture
content decreases with the increase in sand and dust content in the mixes. However, the increase in maximum dry
density and decrease in optimum moisture with dust content was found to be more with quarry dust than with the
same sand content in the mixes. This encourages the use of quarry dust in place of sand and it indicates that bulk
utilization of the waste quarry dust is possible through its geotechnical applications.

INTRODUCTION
Sand is the most typical cohesionless granular
material resulting from the erosion of rocks and it
is used as a natural additive for improving the
geotechnical properties of clay. It is becoming
scarce day by day and more costly due to its high
usages in different engineering applications. So,
there is a need to find an alternative material which
can replace the sand.
Quarry dust is obtained as soil solid wastes during
crushing of stones to obtain aggregates. It can be
used as a substitute for sand to improve the
geotechnical properties of soil [1]. Depending on
the rock type, geological position and process
method, every stage of primary crushed aggregate
production can result in the production of quarry
dust. It is produced mainly during crushing
operations. It consists of 20-25% of the output of
each rubble crusher unit and the annual production
of quarry dust is roughly around 200 million tones
[1]. The disposal of quarry dust creates a lot of geo
environmental problems. A limited research is
available regarding the utilization of quarry dust
for its geotechnical applications. Gupta et al.

(2002)[2] made a study on the stabilization of

black cotton soil using crusher dust, a waste
product from Bundelkhand region, India and the
optimal percentage of crusher dust was found to be
40%. Soosan et al. (2001)[3] investigated the
influence of dust content on the compaction
properties of soil-quarry dust mixes. They have
observed a higher value of maximum dry density
and lower value of optimum moisture content of
soil-quarry mix due to addition of quarry dust.
Soosan et al. (2005)[1] studied the influence of
quarry dust content on the compaction
characteristics of three types of cohesive soils.
They have observed that the OMC of soil-quarry
dust mix decreases with the increase in quarry dust
content whereas the maximum dry density
increases. This was due to the well graded soil
gradation curves of the soil-quarry dust mixes on
addition of quarry dust. Nwaiwu et al. (2012)[4]
indicated the increase in MDD and the reduction in
OMC values due to the addition of quarry dust to
the black cotton soil. These variations were more
distinct at the highest compactive effort employed
in the study.

B. Manash, C. Malaya & A. Sridharan

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
The soil samples used for the experimental study
are locally available clay (denoted by C) and three
additive soil samples, sand (denoted by S), quarry
dust (denoted by Q) and modified quarry dust
(denoted by MQ). The MQ sample was obtained
from the sample Q with similar grain size
distribution as the sample S. The samples have
been characterized for their specific gravity and
grain size distribution by following the guidelines
provided by the respective Indian standard (IS)
codes [5,6]. Liquid limit and plastic limit were
obtained for clay sample using IS guidelines [7].

indicates the presence of montmorillonitic mineral

as dominant clay mineral type.
Proctors light compaction tests [11] were carried
out on clay, quarry dust and modified quarry dust
sample and three different mixes of C-S, C-D and
C-MD (90:10; 80:20; 70:30 and 60:40). Different
percentages of sand, quarry dust and modified
quarry dust (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) of dry
weight of the sample were mixed with the clay.
Sample prepared by mixing nine parts of clayey
soil, C (90%) with one part of quarry dust, Q (10
%) by weight is designated as C-Q (90:10).
Similarly, in samples C-Q (80:20), C-Q (70:30)
and C-Q (60:40), quarry dust content was 20%,
30% and 40% respectively, of total weight of the
mix. In the similar manner, the clay-sand mixes CS and clay-modified quarry dust C-MQ mixes were
prepared for different percentages.
110
100
90
80

C
Q
S

70

% Finer

The main objective of this study is to investigate

the influence of sand/quarry dust content on the
compaction behavior of clay-sand and clay-quarry
dust mixes and to compare the compaction
properties of clay-sand and clay-quarry dust mixes.
For this, the grain size distribution of quarry dust
was also made similar to that of sand used in this
study. The results indicate that the sand/quarry dust
content has influence on the compaction behavior
of clay-sand and clay-quarry dust mixes. Further,
for similar grain size distribution of quarry dust
and sand, the maximum dry density was found to
be more and the optimum moisture content was
found to be small for clay-quarry dust mixes.

60
50
40
30

According to IS soil classification system [8], all

the cohesionless soil samples are poorly graded
(SP) and clay sample is inorganic clay of medium
compressibility (CI). The results of these
characterizations are presented in Table 1. The
grain size distribution curves of the samples are
shown in Fig. 1. Shape and mineralogical
characterization of the sand and quarry dust
samples were carried out from the petro graphical
images shown in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively. Petro
graphical images indicate that the main mineral
present in the samples sand/quarry dust is quartz,
and next to quartz feldspar is present in quarry
dust. The shape of the sand particles are mainly
rounded to sub rounded whereas the dust particles
are mostly angular to sub angular. Free swell test
[9] was carried out to get an indication about the
dominant clay mineral present in the clay. The free
swell ratio (10) of clay was found to be 1.18 which

20
10
0
1E-3

0.01

0.1

Grain size (mm)

Fig. 1 Grain size distribution curves of C, S and Q

Fig. 2 Petrographic image of sand sample, S

10

A comparative study on the compaction characteristics of clay-sand mix and clay-quarry dust mix

1.95
(

C-Q
C-Q
C-Q
C-Q
C
Q

1.90

1.70

Dry density

1.75

Fig. 3 Petrographic image of quarry dust sample, Q

1.60

1.50

10

15

20

30

%)

Moisture content

25

Fig. 5 Compaction curves for C and C-Q mixes

2.0
C-MQ(
C-MQ(
C-MQ(
C-MQ(
C
MQ

g/cm

1.9

1.8

90:10)
80:20)
70:30)
60:40)

Dry density

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Figures 4-6 show the moisture content versus dry
density plots for C, C-S, C-Q and C-MQ mixes.
The maximum dry density (MDD) and the
optimum moisture content (OMC) of different
samples obtained from compaction tests have been
tabulated in Table 2.

1.65

1.55

Table 1 Physical properties and classification of

the samples used in this study
Property
Soil
C
S
Q MQ
Specific gravity
2.61 2.65 2.81 2.74
Cc
1.08 0.79 1.08
Cu
2.83 6.38 2.83
Liquid limit (%)
42.4
Plastic limit (%)
20.2
Plasticity index (%) 22.4
IS classification
CI
SP
SP
SP

1.80

g/cm

1.85

90:10)
80:20)
70:30)
60:40)

1.7

1.6

1.5
5

2.0

C:S (90:10)
C:S (80:20)
C:S (70:30)
C:S (60:40)
C

1.7

1.6

1.5
10

15

20

25

Water content (%)

Fig. 4 Compaction curves for C and C-S mixes

20

Moisture content

1.8

15

25

30

%)

Fig. 6 Compaction curves for C and C-MQ mixes

Dry density (g/cm )

1.9

10

30

Figure 4 shows that the increase in sand content in

the C-S mix increases the maximum dry density
and reduces the optimum moisture content up to a
sand content of 30%. In case of the mix C-S
(60:40), an increase in optimum moisture content
was found with a slight increase in the maximum
dry density than the mix C-S (70:30). Figure 5
shows that due to the increase in the percentage of
quarry dust (Q) in the C-Q mix, the maximum dry
density is increasing and the optimum moisture
content is decreasing up to a dust content of 30%.
However, at quarry dust content of 40%, an
increase in the optimum moisture content was

B. Manash, C. Malaya & A. Sridharan

found with an increase in the maximum dry

density. Figure 6 depicts that with an increase in
the percentage of MQ in the mix, the maximum dry
density is increasing with an increase in the
optimum moisture content up to the MQ content of
30%. At MQ content of 40%, an increase in the
optimum moisture content was found with an
increase in the maximum dry density than the MQ
content of 30%.
Figures 4-6 show that an increase in the amount of
coarser material in the mix increases the maximum
dry density with a decrease in the optimum
moisture content which can be attributed to the fact
that with increase in coarser fraction of the mix,
there is decrease in finer clay fraction of the mix
resulting in increase in dry density at smaller water
content. But an increase in moisture content value
has been observed for all the samples for 60:40
mixes which can be due to the increase in frictional
resistance among the particles requiring more
amount of water to overcome this frictional barrier
for better compaction witnessed by the results
showing the increase in maximum dry density
value with increase in optimum moisture content
for mixes with 40% additive samples in it.
Table 2 Maximum dry density and optimum
moisture content values obtained from compaction
tests
Sample
Maximum
Optimum
dry density moisture content
(g/cm3)
(%)
C
1.73
18.20
Q
1.87
13.01
MQ
1.95
11.10
C-S (90:10)
1.81
13.77
C-Q (90:10)
1.78
13.85
C-MQ (90:10)
1.82
12.90
C-S (80:20)
1.84
12.50
C-Q (80:20)
1.78
13.00
C-MQ (80:20)
1.91
11.70
C-S (70:30)
1.91
11.14
C-Q (70:30)
1.89
11.05
C-MQ (70:30)
1.93
10.70
C-S (60:40)
1.93
11.70
C-Q (60:40)
1.89
12.50
C:MQ (60:40)
1.95
11.95

Comparison of Compaction Curves for C-S

(90:10), C-Q (90:10) and C-MQ (90:10) Mixes
Figure 7 compares the moisture content versus dry
density plots of C-Q (90:10), C-S (90:10) and CMQ (90:10) mixes. The figure shows that the CMQ (90:10) mix yields the highest maximum dry
density and the minimum optimum moisture
content value than the other two mixes.

Fig. 7 Comparison of compaction curves for C-S

(90:10), C-Q (90:10), C-MQ (90:10) mixes
Comparison of Compaction Curves for C-S
(80:20), C-Q (80:20) and C-MQ (80:20) Mixes
Figure 8 compares the moisture content versus dry
density plots of C-Q (80:20), C-S (80:20) and CMQ (80:20) mixes. The figure shows that the CMQ (80:20) mix yields the highest maximum dry
density and the minimum optimum moisture
content value than the other two mixes.

Fig. 8 Comparison of compaction curves for C-S

(80:20), C-Q (80:20) and C-MQ (80:20) mixes

A comparative study on the compaction characteristics of clay-sand mix and clay-quarry dust mix

Comparison of Compaction Curves for C-S

(70:30), C-Q (70:30) and C-MQ (70:30) Mixes
Figure 9 compares the moisture content versus dry
density plots of C-Q (70:30), C-S (70:30) and CMQ (70:30) mixes. The figure shows that the CMQ (70:30) mix yields the highest maximum dry
density and the minimum optimum moisture
content value than the other two mixes.

Figures 7-10 indicate that for sand/dust content of

10% to 40%, the clay mixed with modified quarry
dust gives the maximum dry density and the
minimum optimum moisture content values. This
may be due to the following reasons:
1. Quarry dust (Q) was modified to the gradation of
sand. So, the modified quarry dust (MQ) was
having more coarser particles than the original
quarry dust having larger amount of fines than the
modified one, thus decreasing the fine content of
the mix.
2. The shape of the particles present in abundance
in sand was mostly sub-rounded to rounded which
gave loose packing in comparison to the particles
present in the modified quarry dust which were
mostly sub-angular to angular in shape with
elongated striped structures giving to a denser
packing under the influence of compacting force
under optimum water content in the mix.

Fig. 9 Comparison of compaction curves for C-S

(70:30), C-Q (70:30), C-MQ (70:30) mixes

Variation of Maximum Dry Density with Q, S and MQ

Content

Comparison of Compaction Curves for C-S

(60:40), C-Q (60:40) and C-MQ (60:40) Mixes
Figure 10 compares the moisture content versus
dry density plots of C-Q (60:40), C-S (60:40) and
C-MQ (60:40) mixes. The figure shows that the CMQ (60:40) mix yields the highest maximum dry
density and the minimum optimum moisture
content value than the other two mixes.

Figure 11 shows that with increasing amount of

sand/quarry dust in the mixes, the MDD is
increasing for C-S and C-MQ mixes, whereas for
C-Q mixes it is decreasing after 30% quarry dust
content. The highest MDD=1.95 g/cm3 was
obtained for the mix C-MQ (60:40). The C-MQ
mixes give higher MDD than the C-S mixes
although the grain size distribution of S and MQ
are similar. This encourages the use of quarry dust
in place of sand of similar gradation.
2 .0 0

Maximum dry density (g/cm )

1 .9 6
1 .9 2
1 .8 8
1 .8 4
1 .8 0

C -Q m ix
C -S m ix
C -M Q m ix

1 .7 6
1 .7 2
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 00

Q , S a n d M Q c o n te n t (% )

Fig. 10 Comparison of compaction curves for C-S

(60:40), C-Q (60:40), C-MQ (60:40) mixes

Fig. 11 Variation of maximum dry density with Q,

S and MQ content for C-Q, C-S and C-MQ mixes

B. Manash, C. Malaya & A. Sridharan

Variation of Optimum Moisture Content with Q, S and MQ

Content

Figure 12 represents the decrease in optimum

moisture content value with increase in
sand/quarry dust contents in all the mixes up to a
value of 30%. However, an increase in OMC value
was observed at sand/quarry dust content of 40%.
The minimum OMC=10.7% was obtained in case
of the C-MQ (70:30) mix.
19
18

C-Q mix
C-S mix
C-MQ mix

17

OMC (%)

16
15
14
13
12
11
10
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Q, S and MQ content (%)

Fig. 12 Variation of OMC with Q, S and MQ

content for C-Q, C-S and C-MQ mixes
CONCLUSIONS
The study presents a comparative study on the
compaction characteristics of clay-sand and clayquarry dust mixes. The grain size distribution of
quarry dust was also kept similar to that of the
sand. The following conclusions can be drawn
from this study:
1. The maximum dry density (MDD) of C-S and
C-MQ mixes increases with the increase in
sand content and modified quarry dust content
in their respective mixes. The increase in MDD
is more in case of C-MQ mixes than that of C-S
mixes although the S/MQ contents are same
and of similar gradations. This may be due to
the presence of angular to sub-angular particles
in MQ.
2. The optimum moisture content (OMC) of C-S
and C-MQ mixes decreases with the increase in

S/MQ content in their respective mixes upto a

S/MQ content of 30%. The OMC of C-MQ
mixes were found to be smaller than that of CS mixes. However, at 40% of S/MQ content,
the OMC was found to increase which may be
due to the increase in frictional resistance of the
mixes.
3. The study highlights that the quarry dust with a
gradation similar to that of sand can be used to
improve the geotechnical properties of clay in
place of sand which can lead to viable solution
for large scale utilization and disposal of quarry
dust. Further experimental investigations are
required to examine the use of quarry dust as a
good replacement for sand to improve the other
geotechnical properties of soil.
REFERENCES
1. Soosan, T.G., Sridharan, A., Jose, B.T. and
Abraham, B.M. (2005), Utilization of quarry
dust to improve the geotechnical properties of
soils in highway construction, Geotech. Test.
Jl., ASTM, 28(4), Page count: 10.
2. Gupta, A.K., Sachan, A.K. Sahu, A.K. and
Kumar, S. (2002), Stabilization of black cotton
soil using crusher dust A waste product of
Bundelkhand region, Proceedings of Indian
Geotechnical Conference, Allahabad, 308-311.
3. Soosan, T.G., Jose, B.T. and Abraham, B.M.
(2001), Strength behavior of lateritic soil-quarry
dust mixes, Jl. of New Bldg. Mat. and Const.
World, 7, 46-52.
4. Nwaiwu, C.M.O., Mshelia, H.S. and Durkwa,
J.K. (2012), Compactive effort influence on
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mixtures, Intl. Jl. of Geotech. Engineering, 6,
91-101.
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A comparative study on the compaction characteristics of clay-sand mix and clay-quarry dust mix

9. IS: 2720-XL (1977), Indian standard methods

of test for soils, Part XL, Determination of free
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