Soil Stabilization Using Geopolymer and Biopolymer

AIJREAS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 10 (2016, OCT) (ISSN-2455-6300) ONLINE
ANVESHANAS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
SOIL STABILIZATION USING GEOPOLYMER AND BIOPOLYMER

P.DILIP KUMAR RAO, M.Tech(Geotech) SRINIVAS GANTA
Department of Civil Engineering Associate professor,
Abhinav Hitech College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
E-mail: royalengineer2012@gmail.com Abhinav Hitech College of Engineering
E-mail: srinivasganta412@gmail.com
ABSTRACT permeability, durability and dust control is

improved, which makes the soil suitable
As stabilization of soil improves its engineering
properties, chemical and mechanical stabilization
for use. There are different methods of
processes are in use. In the present study two stabilization, which include physical,
difficult soils; expansive soil and dispersive soil are chemical and polymer methods of
stabilized with geopolymer and biopolymer. stabilization. Physical methods involve
Sodium based alkaline activators and fly ash as an
physical processes to improve soil
additive is used as geopolymer and Xanthan gum
and Guar gum are used as biopolymers. The
properties. This includes compaction
effectiveness of geopolymer is studied in terms of methods and drainage. Drainage is an
unconfined compressive strength (UCS), efficient way to remove excessive water
differential free swelling (DFS), swelling pressure from soil by means of pumps, pipes and
(SP), durability and dispersion tests. The swelling
canal with an aim to prevent soil from
pressure got reduced by 97.14% finally with
addition of 40% fly ash and 15% bentonite. The
swelling due to saturation with water.
dispersion test showed bentonite to be an extremely Compaction processes lead to increase in
dispersive soil, whose dispersiveness is controlled water resistance capacity of soil. Drainage
by addition of alkali activated fly ash. From UCS is less common due to generally poor
and durability test it is observed that bentonite
connection between method effectiveness
added with 40% fly ash and 10% solution gave
better results. The effectiveness of biopolymer is
and cost. But, compaction is very common
studied based on UCS tests on dispersive soil and method. Although, it makes soil more
pond ash at their moisture content. For dispersive resistant to water, this resistance will be
soil, durability, dispersion and DFS tests are also reducing over time. Chemical soil
done. It is observed that dispersive soil and pond stabilization uses chemicals and emulsions
ash mixed with various percentages of Xanthan
gum and Guar gum are not dispersive and are
as compaction aids, water repellents and
more durable than ordinary bottom ash and binders. The most effective chemical soil
dispersive soil samples. Guar gum is found to stabilization is one which results in non-
imparts higher confined compressive strength and water-soluble and hard soil matrix.
durability than Xanthan gum. Polymer methods of stabilization have a
number of significant advantages over
INTRODUCTION
physical and chemical methods. These
Soil stabilization in a broad sense includes polymers are cheaper and are more
various methods used for modifying the effective and significantly less dangerous
properties of soil to enhance its for the environment as compared to many
engineering performance. By stabilization chemical solutions. In the present study
the major properties of soil, i.e., volume difficult soil i.e, expansive soil is
stability, strength, compressibility,

EMAIL ID: anveshanaindia@gmail.com , WEBSITE: www.anveshanaindia.com
280
considered for effectiveness of percentage of lime (0 to 8%) was added

geopolymer and biopolymer stabilization. with the expansive soil-fly ash-
desulphogypsum mixture. The treated
Objective and Scope samples were cured for 7 and 28 days.
The objective of the current research work Swelling percentage was found to reduced
is to determine the suitability of and rate of swell was found to increase
geopolymer (alkali-activated fly ash) and with increase in stabilizer percentage.
biopolymer as soil stabilizing agent for Curing resulted in further reduction in
expansive soil. swelling percentage. With addition of 25
Scope percent fly ash and 30 percent
Laboratory investigation for desulphogypsum, the swelling percentage
characterization of bentonite soil reduced to levels comparable to lime
with alkali activated fly ash stabilization.
(geopolymer) as binding material. Amu et al. (2005) used cement and fly ash
It includes laboratory investigation mixture for stabilization of expansive
for characterization of bentonite clayey soil.The expansive soil was treated
soil with two commercially with (i) 12% cement and (ii) 9% cement +
available biopolymers i.e., Xanthan 3% fly ash and were tested for maximum
gum and Guar gum. dry densities (MDD), optimum moisture
contents (OMC), California bearing ratio
LITERATURE REVIEW (CBR), unconfined compressive strength
(UCS) and the undrainedtriaxial tests. The
Satyanarayanaet al. (2004) studied the results showed that the soil sample
combined effect of addition of fly ash and stabilized with a mixture of 9% cement +
lime onengineering properties of 3% fly ash is better with respect to MDD,
expansive soil and found that the optimum OMC, CBR and shearing resistance
proportions of soil: fly ash: lime should be compared to samples stabilized with 12%
70:30:4 for construction of roads and cement, indicated the importance of fly ash
embankments. in improving the stabilizing potential of
Phani Kumar and Sharma (2004) cement on expansive soil.
observed that plasticity, hydraulic Kumar et al. (2007) studied the effects of
conductivity andswelling properties of the polyester fibre inclusions and lime
expansive soil fly ash blends decreased stabilization onthe geotechnical
and the dry unit weight and strength characteristics of fly ash-expansive soil
increased with increase in fly ash content. mixtures. Lime and fly ash were added
The resistance to penetration of the blends with an expansive soil at ranges of 110%
increased significantly with an increase in and 120%, respectively. The samples
fly ash content fora given water content. with optimum proportion of fly ash and
They presented a statistical model to lime content (15% fly ash and 8% lime)
predict the undrained shear strength of the based on compaction, unconfined
treated soil. compression and split tensile strength,
Baytar (2005) studied the stabilization of were added with 0, 0.5, 1.0,1.5 and 2%
expansive soils using the fly ash and plain and crimped polyester fibres by
desulpho-gypsum obtained from thermal weight. The MDD of soil-fly ash-lime
power plant by 0 to 30 percent. Varied mixes decreased with increase in fly ash
281
and lime content. The polyester fibres Similarly, a single literature (Chen et al.)
(0.52.0%) had no significant effect on for the use of biopolymer in stabilization
MDD and OMC of fly ash-soil-lime-fibre of soil is available. So, in this present
study an attempt has been made to use
mixtures. However, the unconfined
geopolymer as an alternative cementitious
compressive strength and split tensile material in stabilizing expansive soil and
strength increased with addition of fibres. biopolymers (Xanthan gum and Guar gum)
Buhler and Cerato (2007) studied the are used to stabilize expansive soil.
stabilization of expansive soils using lime
and Class C flyash. The reduction in linear MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY
shrinkage was better with lime
In the present study soil are considered namely
stabilization as compared to same bentonite soil have been stabilized using
percentage of Class C fly ash. geopolymers (alkali activators, sodium
Stabilization using quarry dust silicate: sodium hydroxide in 2:1 ratio) and
The quarry dust/ crusher dust obtained biopolymers. The alkali solution sodium
during crushing of stone to obtain silicate: sodium hydroxide in 2:1 ratio was
aggregates causes health hazard in the used in different concentrations.
vicinity and many times considered as an
In the present study, methodology of
aggregate waste.
stabilizing soil using geopolymer and
Stalin et al. (2004) made an investigation
regarding control of swelling potential biopolymer is explained as follows.
(SP)of expansive clays using quarry dust
Stabilization using geopolymer
and marble powder and observed that
liquid limit and swelling pressure
In the present study, the alkali was
decreased with increase in quarry dust or
marble powder content. prepared by taking sodium silicate and
Stabilization using biopolymer sodium hydroxide keeping in view, the
Chen et al. (2013) performed a
preliminary study on using Xanthan gum ratio of sodium silicate to sodium
and Guargum, two hydroxide in their dry mass as 2. The
biopolymers that are naturally occurring
prepared alkali (S) was added in varying
and inexpensive, to stabilize mine tailings
(MT). The addition of these two percentages (5%, 10%and 15%) with fly
biopolymers increased both liquid limit
ash (FA) in different percentages (20%,
and the undrained shear strength of the
MT. Guar gum was found to be more 30% and 40%) by dry weight of total
effective than Xanthan gum in increasing solids to bentonite. The alkali, taken in
the liquid limit and undrained shear
strength of the MT, as the Guar gum 10% with fly ash 40% by dry weight of
solution was more viscous than the total solids was also added with bentonite
Xanthan gum solution at the same
concentration. A comprehensive study on soil. Then, optimum moisture content
the mechanical, chemical and polymer (OMC), maximum dry density (MDD),
stabilization of expansive soil.
From critical review of literature, it can be unconfined compressive strength (UCS),
seen that the studies regarding geopolymer and durability of different samples were
are limited to its use in concrete and a
single literature (Parhi and Das, 2014) is experimentally investigated and compared
available in its application for soil. with only bentonite soil samples.
282
Differential free swelling (DFS) with (3, 7 done on an interval of 0, 3, 7 and 14 days.
and 14 days) and without curing, swelling The samples which were tested after 3, 7
pressure and dispersion tests were also and 14 days were wrapped in cling film
done for treated bentonite samples and and left at ambient temperature of 32-35
compared with only bentonite samples. C and humidity conditions (5060 % RH).
Evaluation of UCS of treated soil samples Following Table 3.8 shows the details of
were done on an interval of 0, 3, 7 and 14 the alkali activated fly ash mixed in
days and compared with only bentonite various percentages with bentonite
samples.DFS of treated soil samples were
Stabilization using biopolymer
S.NO. Name of the mix Particulars of the mix

1 Bentonite + FA (20%) + S (5%) Soil+20%fly ash by weight of total solids+5%
alkali by weight of total solids
5 Bentonite + FA (30%) + S (10%) Soil+30%fly ash by weight of total

solids+10%alkali by weight of total solids
The experimental investigations solutions with percentages of 0.5, 1 and

were made on soil and stabilized soil using 2% were added with bentonite soil and
biopolymer as per Indian standards. It was pond ash (PA)toinvestigate the effect of
observed that Guar gum (GG) is more biopolymers on compaction
viscous compared to Xanthan gum (XG). characteristics, unconfined compressive
Hence, Xanthan gum solutions with strength. Durability and dispersion tests
percentages of 1, 2 and 3% and Guar gum were also done for biopolymer modified
283
bentonite soil and compared to only which were tested after 3 and 7 days were
bentonite soil sample. Table 3.4 and Table wrapped in cling film and left at ambient
3.5 shows the details of the biopolymer temperature of 32-35C and humidity
modified bentonite soil and pond ash conditions (5060 % RH). Table 3.9 and
samples, respectively. Evaluation of UCS Table 3.10 show details of the bentonite
of biopolymer modified bentonite soil soil specimens and pond ash specimens
samples were done on an interval of 0, 3 mixed in different percentages with
and 7days and also done for sample kept Xanthan gum (XG) and Guar gum (GG),
for sundried (1 day) and compared with respectively.
only bentonite soil samples. The samples
Table: Details of the Biopolymer Modified Bentonite Soil (B.S) Specimens

1 B.S+1% XG bentonite soil added with 1% Xanthan gum

4 B.S+0.5% GG bentonite soil added with 0.5% Guar gum
5 B.S+1% GG bentonite soil added with 1% Guar gum
6 B.S+2% GG bentonite soil added with 2% Guar gum
Table: Details of the Biopolymer Modified Pond Ash Specimens

1 PA+1% XG Pond ash added with 1% Xanthan gum
2 PA +2% XG Pond ash added with 2% Xanthan gum
3 PA +3% XG Pond as added with 3% Xanthan gum
4 PA +0.5% GG Pond ash added with 0.5% guar gum
5 PA +1% GG Pond ash added with 1% guar gum
6 PA +2% GG Pond ash added with 2% guar gum
STABILIZATION OF BENTONITE strength condition was established by

SOIL WITH ALKALI ACTIVATED FLY conducting unconfined compression test
ASH
on samples at 0, 3, 7 and 14 days curing.
This paper presents the results of The samples were of 50 mm diameter (D)
stabilization of bentonite soil with alkali and 100 mm height (L), thereby ensuring
activated fly ash. To determine the L/D ratio as 2. These samples comprises of
optimum moisture content (OMC) and bentonite added with fly ash in different
maximum dry density (MDD) of bentonite percentages (20%, 30% and 40%) and
and treated bentonite samples, light alkali (sodium silicate to sodium
compaction test was done. The increase in hydroxide ratio taken by dry mass was
284
kept 2) solution varying from 5%, 10% and alkali activated fly ash added with
and 15%. The decrease in swelling bentonite, showing optimum moisture
condition was ascertained by conducting content (OMC) and maximum dry density
swelling pressure test using (MDD) of the compacted samples. Fig.
consolidometer test on treated soil shows the comparison of OMC and MDD
samples. The decrease in percentage of of bentonite and bentonite with fly ash
swelling was also shown by conducting (20%, 30% and 40%) and alkali solution
differential free swell (DFS) test on treated (5%). Fig. shows the comparison of OMC
soil samples. Resistance to erosion was and MDD of bentonite and bentonite with
presented by conducting dispersion test on fly ash (20%, 30% and 40%) and alkali
treated soil sampleswith respect to solution (10%). Similarly results of
bentonite soil. bentonite with fly ash (20%, 30% and
Compaction characteristics 40%) and 15% alkali solution are
presented in Fig.
The following graphs show the
compaction characteristics of bentonite
16
Bentonite+FA(20%)+S(5%)
ZVL Bentonite+FA(20%)+S(5%)
15 ZVL Bentonite+FA(30%)+S(5%)
ZVL Bentonite+FA(40%)+S(5%)
Bentonite
Dry density (kN/m 3 )
14 ZVL Bentonite
13
12
11
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Water content (%)
Fig. Compaction Characteristics for Bentonite and Bentonite with Flyash (20%, 30% and
40%) and Alkalisolution(5%)
17
ZVL of
ZVL of
16 Bentonite+FA(30%)+S(10%)
ZVL of
Bentonite
15 ZVL of Bentonite
m 3)
densi (kN/
14
Dry ty
13

285
12
11
10 20 30 40 50
Water content (%)
FigCompaction Characteristics for as per Volk (1937) (Table). Crumb test

Bentonite and Bentonite with Flyash was also done to assess the dispersiveness
(20%, 30% and 40%) and of bentonite soils. show cubes of bentonite
Alkalisolution(10%) soil added with Xanthan gum (1%),
It can be seen that the variation in MDD Xanthan gum (2%),Xanthan gum (3%),
marginal with change in fly ash content Guar gum (0.5%), Guar gum (1%) and
and percentage of alkali solution.
Guar gum (2%), respectively, where, it can
Dispersion test be seen that bentonite soil added with
The dispersion ratio of bentonite soil as
gums did not get disperse after five to
per double hydrometer test was found to
seven minutes. Hence, both XG and GG
be 89.57%, which is extremely dispersive
are effective in stabilizing bentonite soil.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e) (f)

286
(g)
Modified Free Swell Index (MFSI): 3 3
kN/m ) and VCP (11.3kN/m ). It was also
The MFSI test is also conducted to check
observed that there is reduction in MDD
expansive nature of bentonite soil. The
and increase in OMC with addition of
MFSI obtained for bentonite soil is 1.4,
biopolymer for the three biopolymer
which indicated that it is a non- bentonite
modified pond ashes considered here. This
soil.
may be due to difficulty in compacting
Results of biopolymer stabilized pond
ash with standard Proctor for the biopolymer
Compaction characteristics stabilized pondash.
The compaction characteristics of different
pond ash (PA) and biopolymer modified CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE
pond ashes are presented in Figs. 5.16 to SCOPE
5.20. Fig. 5.16 shows the comparison of Based on the obtained results and
OMC and MDD of three pond ash discussion there of following conclusions
samples. Similarly, Fig. 5.17 and Fig. 5.18 can be drawn.
1.The maximum optimum moisture
show the comparison of OMC and MDD
content was for bentonite added with
of pond ash samples being collected from geopolymer with fly ash (20%) and
Vishnu Chemicals Pvt Ltd (VCP) and PS alkali solution (10%) and MDD was
respectively mixed with XG (2%) and GG maximum for bentonite added
with fly ash (40%) and alkali solution
(2%). Fig. 5.19 and Fig. 5.20 show the
(15%).
comparison of OMC and MDD of pond 2. The UCS value of the geopolymer
ash sample being collected from PS mixed stabilized bentonite found to vary with
percentage of fly ash and alkali solution,
with various more percentages of gum to
and maximum UCS value was obtained
know the variation of moisture content with 40% fly ash and 10% alkali
when mixed with higher and lower gum solution.
percentages. Table 5.5 shows OMC and 3.Based on durability test, the resistance to
loss in strength (RLS) was maximum for
MDD of various pond ash samples and
bentonite with 40% fly ash and 10%
biopolymer modified pond ash. It can be alkali solution and it got reduced with
seen that PS2 has maximum dry density addition of 15% solution.
3 4.Based on differential free swell test, it
(11.57 kN/m ) compared to PS1 (10.8
was observed that with increased
287
percentage of alkali activated fly ash, the biopolymer.

swelling percentage decreased 11.With same percentage of gum, it was
considerably. After 3 days of observed that pond ash stabilized with
curing for bentonite + FA (20%) + S Guar gum had better strength compared
(10%), and bentonite + fly ash (20%, to that of Xanthan gum.
30% and 40%) + S (15%), the swelling 12.It was observed that sundried sample
percentage became negligible and the has better UCS value than sample stored
treated soil became non-swelling. inside coated with film/wax.
Similar observations were made for The present study showed that biopolymer
bentonite + fly ash (20%, 30% and 40%) and geopolymer can be effectively used as
+ S (5%, 10% and 15%) after 7 days and stabilizing agents for bentonite soil. It was
bentonite + fly ash (20%, 30% and 40%) also observed that geopolymer is more
+ S (5%, 10% and 15%) after 14 daysof effective than biopolymer in terms of
curing. stabilization.
5.Based on crumb test and double
FUTURE SCOPE
hydrometer test it was observed that Some recommendations made based on the
bentonite was extremely dispersive present study for practical applications:
(84.87%). However, it became non-
dispersive with addition of more than 5 Efforts to reduce the cost of
% of geopolymer. operation by searching other
6.It was observed that with addition of
biopolymer, OMC increased and MDD natural alkaline materials.
decreased for bentonite soil. However, Filed applications of this method
The UCS value increased with addition by using suitable technology.
of biopolymer.
Application of geopolymer in
7.With same percentage of gum, it was stabilization of other low strength
observed that bentonite soil stabilized high compressible lays.
with guar gum has better strength
compared to that of Xanthan gum. Applications of biopolymer in
8.Based on durability test the RLS was mine reclamation as is is
maximum for Xanthan gum (1%) and environmental friendly in
guar gum (1%). The RLS decreased with
controlling erosion and dust.
increased percentage of Xanthan gum
but, for guar gum. RLS obtained was
optimum at 1%. REFERENCES
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9.Based on crumb test and double Zubaydi, H.A. (2011). Long
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289

Soil Stabilization Using Geopolymer and Biopolymer

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AIJREAS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 10 (2016, OCT) (ISSN-2455-6300) ONLINE

ANVESHANAS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES