17ICESMESM Civil6

International Journal of Research In Science & Engineering e-ISSN: 2394-8299
Volume: 3 Issue: 2 March-April 2017 p-ISSN: 2394-8280
SOIL STABILIZATION USING PLASTIC WASTE
Divya Patle1, Mamta Burike2, Sayli D. Madavi3, Suvarna Raut4

divyapatle7670@gmail.com
mamta.burile@gmail.com
MMMTA017@gmail.com
suvarnaraut22@gmail.com
*UG Students, Department of Civil Engineering, SRPCE, Nagpur
**Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering
ABSTRACT
Soil is the key element of this nature and all the basic needs of life such as food,
house and cloths are fulfilled by the soil. Black Cotton soils with high potential for
swelling and shrinking as a result of change in moisture content are one of the major soil
deposits of India. Soil stabilization is the process which improves the physical properties of
soil, such as shear strength, bearing capacity which can be done by use of controlled
compaction or addition of suitable admixtures like cement, lime, sand, fly ash or by
providing geo textiles, geo synthetics etc. The new technique of soil stabilization can be
effectively used to meet the challenges of society, to reduce the quantities of waste,
producing useful material from non-useful waste materials. Since the use of plastic in
diversified forms such as chairs, bottles, polythene bags, etc., has been advancing speedily
and its disposal has been a problem all the time regarding the environmental concern,
using plastic as soil stabilizer would reduce the problem of disposing the plastic as well as
increases the density and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of soil in an economical way.
The present study is focused to overcome the problems experienced in Amravati, the capital
of newly formed Andhra Pradesh State. In the present study, an experimental program was
conducted for stabilization of Black Cotton Soils in the Capital Region i.e., Amravati of
newly formed Andhra Pradesh, with the utilization of Plastic waste as soil stabilizer.
Different contents of plastic strips (% by weight varying from 0% to 8%) are added to the
Black Cotton Soil and the optimum percentage of plastic strips in soil was found out by
conducting California Bearing Ratio Test
.
Keywords: Amravati, Andhra Pradesh, Black Cotton Soil, California Bearing Ratio,
Plastic, Soil and Stabilization
.
INTRODUCTION
Soil deposits in nature exist in an extremely erratic manner producing thereby an
infinite variety of possible combination which will affect the strength of the soil and the
procedures to make it purposeful. Major soil deposits in the capital Region (Amaravathi) of
newly formed Andhra Pradesh are Black Cotton Soils which are very fertile and suitable for
agriculture but not good for construction of Civil Engineering Structures because of its low
Bearing Capacity and intensive shrink-swell process which results in development of cracks.
With the formation of new capital, rapid Industrialization, bursting population and decrease
of available land, more and more number of buildings and other civil engineering
constructions has to be carried out on available Black Cotton soils which are having poor
shear strength. Hence, a great diversity of ground improvement techniques such as soil
stabilization and reinforcement are needed to be employed to improve behavior of soil,
thereby enhancing the reliability of construction. In the present situation, Stabilizing of soils
IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

is of utmost importance in Amaravathi region which makes them suitable for various
construction activities. Various materials and methods may be used for stabilizing soils and
are presented below. Soil stabilization means the improvement of stability or bearing power
of the soil by the use of controlled compaction, proportioning and/or the addition of suitable
admixture or stabilizers. The basic principles of soil stabilization are:
1. Evaluating the properties of given soil.
2. Deciding the lacking property of soil and choose effective and economical method of
soil stabilization.
3. Designing the stabilized soil mix for intended stability and durability values.
Methods of Soil Stabilization There are different materials in utilization for the
stabilization of black cotton soils. Depending on the internal factor which describes the
bonding between the soil and the stabilizer utilized, the methods are broadly classified into
two types. They are
1. Mechanical Stabilization: It is based on the principle of friction i.e., when the admixtures
are added to soil and compacted the strength is enhanced due to the friction between the
soil and the material added. Examples for the materials which increase the strength by
this principle are sand, plastic, geo textiles etc.
2. Chemical Stabilization: It is based on the chemical reaction between the material added
and the minerals in soil. Examples for this type of stabilizers are lime, fly ash,
bituminous materials, cement etc.
3. Plastics are considered as one of the important invention which has remarkably assisted
in different aspects of life whether it might be in scientific field or others.
4. The use of plastic has been enormously increasing these days. But now, plastic has
become the significant pollutant of Environment because of the Use and Throw
mechanism and everyone should think about this in the present scenario. The use of
plastic has to be limited by now otherwise there would be harshly circumstance that
human and environment has to face in near future. Since Plastic is a non-decomposable
material, the necessity for recycling or reusing it, is also increasing thereby reducing its
wastage. Utilizing this Plastic waste for a positive purpose assists in reducing its effect on
environment also. Stabilization was coined as to make anything in a stable condition
which itself is a challenging task. Various researches are going on for incorporating the
waste to the soil and stabilizing it so that it can be utilized for different purposes. Thus,
using plastic as stabilizer will help in two ways, in addressing the problem of disposing
the plastic waste and also using the most available black cotton soils wherever possible.
The present study deals with the stabilization of Black cotton soils in the Capital Region
of newly formed Andhra Pradesh State i.e., Amaravathi by utilizing plastic strips
produced from used plastic chairs. The proper proportion in soil helps in controlling the
compaction factor and also makes it very useful. This study indicates that Plastic wastes
can be utilized for stabilization of soil which is concluded from different tests performed
on soil in various percentages of plastic content.
OBJECTIVES
1. To increase the density and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of soil using plastic as an
admixture.
2. To provide an alternative solution for the disposal of plastic waste.
3. To provide an economical solution for soil stabilization using plastic waste.

4. To determine the optimum plastic content to be used.
METHODOLOGY
The materials which are considered are soil and plastic with chemical composition of
poly propylene. Tests are conducted to determine different properties of soil sample collected
and results are tabulated and presented in
Table no. 1: Laboratory Test with Results
S. Laboratory Test Results

No
1. Swelling Index 66.3%
2. Specific Gravity 2.63 %
Sieve Analysis silt and 100%
3.
clay
Atterberg Limits
Liquid Limit, LL 68.5%
4.
Plastic Limit, PL 33.3%
Plasticity Index, PI 35.2
Unconfined 90.8kg/cm2
5.
Compression Test
6. Compressive strength
Modified Proctor Test 20.5%
7. Optimum Moisture
Content, OMC
California Bearing 1.0%
8.
Ratio Test, CBR
In order to conduct this study, various materials such as lateritic soil, plastic bottles,
sea sand and synthetic threads were used. The standard proctor compaction tests were done to
assess the amount of compaction and the water content required in the field. The water
content at which the maximum dry density is attained is obtained from the relationships
provided by the tests. The California Bearing Ratio test was conducted to determine the
optimum amount of plastic strips in soil. This is done by mixing soil with varying
percentages (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%) of plastic strips in soil and the 4 day soaked CBR value is
obtained. Plate load tests were conducted with plain lateritic soil, soil stabilized with full
bottles, soil stabilized with bottles cut to two halves and soil stabilized with optimum
percentages of plastic strips. Load-settlement graphs for each plate load test were drawn. For
each load-settlement graph, the load corresponding to 4mm settlement was noted. The
ultimate load and corresponding settlement of the plate is also determined from the load-
settlement graph plotted for various test arrangements.
WHY PLASTIC
Plastic is increases the shear strength of soil, tensile strength of soil, California
bearing ratio of the soil. It can significantly enhance the properties of the soil used in the
construction of road infrastructure and available abundance.

PROPERTIES OF PLASTIC
Plastic have a numerous properties that make them superior to other materials in
many application. The different types of properties are physical properties and chemical
properties.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Plastic has transparency, flexibility, elasticity, water resistant, electrical resistance and
soft when it is hot. Soil is a naturally occurring material’s that are used for the construction of
all except the surface layers of pavements and that are subject to classification tests to
provide a general concept of their engineering characteristics.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Chemical resistance, thermal resistance, reactivity with water, flammability, heat of
combustion etc are the basic chemical properties of plastic.
DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES OF SOIL STABILIZATION
LITERATURE REVIEW
Dr. A.I. Dhatrak: In 2015 after reviewing performance of plastic waste mixed soil as
a geotechnical material, It was observed that for construction of flexible pavement to improve
the sub grade soil of pavement using waste plastic bottles chips is an alternative method . In
his paper a series of experiments are done on soil mixed with different percentages of plastic
(0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%) to calculate CBR. On the basis of experiment that he conducted
using plastic waste strips will improve the soil strength and can be used as sub grade. It is
economical and eco-friendly method to dispose waste plastic because there is scarcity of
good quality soil for embankments and fills.
AKSHAT MALHOTRA AND HADI GHASEMAIN: In 2014 studied the effect of
HDPE plastic waste on the UCS of soil. In a proportion of 1.5%, 3%, 4.5% and 6% of the

weight of dry soil. HDPE plastic waste was added. They concluded that the UCS of black
cotton soil increased on addition of plastic waste.
CHOUDHARY, JHA AND GILL: In 2010 demonstrated the potential of HDPE to

convert as soil reinforcement by improving engineering properties of sub grade soil. From
waste plastic HDPE strips are obtained and mixed randomly with the soil and by varying
percentage of HDPE strips length and proportions a series of CBR tests were carried out on
reinforced soil. There results of CBR tests proves that inclusion of strips cut from reclaimed
HDPE is useful as soil reinforcement HDPE is useful as soil reinforcement in highway
application.
RAJKUMAR NAGLE: In 2014 performed CBR studied for improving engineering

performance of sub grade soil. They mixed polyethylene, bottles, food packaging and
shopping bags etc as reinforcement withn black cotton soil, yellow soil and sandy soil. Their
study showed that MDD and CBR value increases with increase in plastic waste. Load
bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of selected soil materials are also improved.
MERCY JOSEPH POWETH: In 2013 investigated on safe and productive disposal

of quarry dust, type waste and wastes-plastic by using them in the pavements sub grade. In
their paper a series of CBR and SPT test were carried out for finding the optimum
percentages of waste plastics, quarry dust in soil sample. The results shows only quarry
dust should be mixed with the soil plastic mix, to increase its maximum dry density and is
suitable for pavement sub grade. Types alone are not suitable for sub grade. They concluded
that Soil plastic mixed with quarry dust maintains the CBR value within the required limit.
Soil type mixed with quarry dust gives lesser CBR value than soil plastic quarry dust mix but
it can be used for pavement sub grade.
ACHMAD FAUZI: In 2016 calculated the engineering properties by mixing waste

plastic High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and waste crushed glass as reinforcement for sub
grade improvement. The chemical element was investigated by Integrated Electron
Microscope and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The engineering
properties PI,C, OMC values were decreased and ф, MDD, CBR values were increased
when content of waste HDPE and Glass were increased.
CHEBET: In 2014 did laboratory investigations to determine the increase in

shear strength and bearing capacity of locally available sand due to random mixing of strips
of HDPE (high density polyethylene) material from plastic shopping bags. A visual
inspection of the plastic material after tests and analysis indicates that the increased
strength for the reinforced soil is due to tensile stresses mobilised in the
reinforcements. The factors identified to have an influence on the efficiency of
reinforcement material were the plastic properties (concentration, length, width of the strips)
and the soil properties (gradation, particle size, shape).
HATEM NSAIF: In 2013 concluded by mixing plastic waste pieces with two types
of soil (clayey soil and sandy soil) at different mixing ratios (0,2,4,6,8)% by weight
respectively that, there is significant improvement in the strength of soils because of
increase in internal friction. The percentage of increase in the angle of internal friction
for sandy soil is slightly more than that in clayey soil, but there is no significant increase in

cohesion for the two types of soils. Also, it was concluded that due to low specific
gravity of plastic pieces there is decreases in MDD and OMC of the soil.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK
In this project have conducted various experiment to find the stabilization of the sub
base using the industrial waste and plastic waste the various test conducted to find the
stabilization of the sub base based on the ASTM procedure are listed below:
1. Liquid Limit
2. Plastic Limit
3. Sieve Analysis
4. Specific Gravity
5. Standard Proctor Compaction Test
6. Unconfined Bearing Ratio Test
1. LIQUID LIMIT: Liquid limit is defined as the moisture content at which soil begins
to behave as a liquid material and begins to flow. The importance of the liquid limit
test is to classify soils. Different soils have varying liquid limits. Also, once must use
the plastic limit to determine its plasticity index.
2. PLASTIC LIMIT: Plastic limit is defined as the projects moisture content and
expressed as a percentages of the project of the oven dried soil at which the soil can
be rolled into the threads one-eight inch in a diameter without the soil breaking into
pieces. This is also the moisture content of a solid at which a soil changes from a
plastic state to a semisolid state.
3. SIEVE ANALYSIS: A sieve analysis is a practice or procedure used assesses the
practice size distribution of a granular material.
4. SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Specific gravity is defined as the ration of the unit of soil
solids unit of water. The specific gravity is needed for various calculation purposes in
soil mechanics, e.g. void ratio, density.
5. STANDARD PROCTOR COMACTION TEST: Compaction is the process of
densification of soil mass by reducing air voids under dynamic loading. This test is
conducted in order and maximum dry density of the soil.
6. UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH: The unconfined compressive
strength test is used to measure the shearing resistance of cohesive soils which may be
undisturbed or remolded specimans.
The plastic which was collected from used plastic chairs are collected and are made
into different strips. Plastic strips with a density about 0.44gm/cc are added to the black
cotton soil in percentages of 2, 4, 6 and 8 and the modified proctor test has been conducted on
the sample and graphs obtained are shown below in figures 1 to 4.
Moisture Vs. Dry Density

1.8 OMC = 19%
Dry Density (gm/cc)
MDD = 1.75
1.75
1.7 gm/cc
1.65 DRY DENSITY
1.6
11 15 19 23 26
Moisture Content %
Fig. 1 Soil with 2% plastic
Moisture Vs. Dry Density

OMC = 18%
1.8
MDD = 1.71
Dry Density (gm/cc)
1.7
gm/cc
1.6
1.5 DRY DENSITY
1.4
10 16 18 22 27
Moisture Content %

Similarly, California bearing ratio test was conducted to obtained the CBR Value on
the samples with plastics strips in various percentages of 2, 4, 6 and 8 and the results obtained
are presented as load VS penetration graphs below in figures 5 to 8.
California Bearing Ratio,
Fig 5 Soil with 2% plastic

CBR test can be said as the indirect measure of the strength as soil deformed was
shear in nature. From the results, it is evident that waste plastic increases the CBR value.
There is a major increase in CBR value when the soil is incorporated with plastic strips and
compared to that of soil with no plastic. The results are tabulated and presented below in
table 2.
CBR test is performed on the samples with varying percentages of plastic strips i.e.,
2%, 4%, 6% and 8%. In this regard, the CBR value has been increasing up to 4% plastic
content and thereon it started to decrease. From this, it can be inferred that, 4% plastic
content is the OPTIMUM CONTENT of utilization of waste plastic in the soil.
Table no. 2: The sample description with OMC and CBR %
Sample Description MDD(gm/cc) OMC CBR

(%) (%)
Soil 1.62 20.5 1.00
Soil with 2% plastic 1.75 19.0 2.02


Where,
MDD is maximum dry density
OMC is optimum moisture content
CBR is California bearing ratio
SUMMARY
Soil stabilization in a wide sense incorporates different methods utilized for altering
the properties of soil to enhance its physical properties and engineering performance. Soil
stabilization is, no doubt utilized for a range of engineering tasks, the most well known
application being in the road construction and airfield pavements, where the primary goal is
to build the soil quality or stability and to lessen the development cost by making best
utilization of locally accessible materials. It is important to stable the soil for any construction
purpose.
CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, the improved CBR value of the soil is due to the addition of
plastic strips. Plastic can be utilized as one of the material that can be used as a soil
stabilizing agent but the proper proportion of plastic must be there, which helps in increasing
the CBR of the soil. It can be concluded that CBR percentage goes on increasing up to 4%
plastic content in the soil and thereon it decreases with increase in plastic content. Hence, we
can say that 4% plastic content is the optimum content of plastic waste in the soil.
Utilization of plastic products in various forms is enormously increasing day by day.
This has an adverse effect in nature and it is not possible to restrict its uses. In this regard, the
disposal of the plastic wastes without causing any ecological hazards has become a real
challenge to the present society. Thus, using plastic as a soil stabilizer is an economical and
gainful usage because there is lack of good quality soil for various constructions. This work
serves as a means to meet the challenges of Amaravathi, the capital of newly formed Andhra
Pradesh State and also to the whole society by reducing the amount of plastic waste and
producing useful product from non-useful waste materials leading to the foundation of
sustainable society. The use of plastic wastes has significantly helped in ground
improvement. This new technique of soil stabilization can be effectively used to meet the
challenges of society, producing useful material from non-useful waste materials. It can
significantly enhance the properties of the soil used in the construction of road infrastructure.
Results include a better and longer lasting road with increased loading capacity.
REFERENCES
[1] Mercy Joseph Poweth, Solly George and Jessy Paul (2013): "Study on use of
plastic waste in road
construction" IJIRSET march 2013/vol. 3/issue 3.
[2] Dr. A.I. Dhatrak, S.D. Konmare (2015): "performance of randomly oriented plastic
waste in flexible pavement" IJPRET march 2015/vol. 3/no. 9/193-202.
[3] Akshat Mehrotra, Hadi Ghasemian, D.R. Kulkarni, and N.R. Patil:"effect of HDPE
plastic on the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil" IJIRSET
January 2014/vol. 3/issue 1.
[4] A.K. Choudhary, J.N. Jha and K.S. Gill (2010):"A study on CBR behaviour of
waste plastic strip reinforced soil" EJER January 2010 /vol. 15/no. 1
[5] Rajkumar Nagle (2014): "comparative study of CBR of soil, reinforced with natural
waste plastic material" IJESR June 2014/ vol-4 /issue-6/304-308.

[6] Achmad Fauzi, Zuraidah Djauhari, and Usama Juniansyah Fauzi (2016):"Soil
engineering properties improvement by utilization of cut waste plastic and
crushed waste glass as additive" IJET February 2016/vol. 8/no. 1.
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polyethen (Plastic) bag waste
[8] Pragyan Bhattarai, Bharat Kumar, Engineering behavior of soil reinforced with plastic
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Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference December 15-17,2011, Kochi (Paper
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Stabilization with RBI Grade 81 and Sodium Silicate, International Journal of
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February 2013.
[12] Consoli, N. C., Montardo, J. P., Prietto, P. D. M., and Pasa, G. S., Engineering
behavior of sand reinforced with plastic waste, Journal of Geotechnical and
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114. HMSO. (1952) “Soil Mechanics for Road Engineers” London.
[14] MadhaviVedula, PawanNath G and Prof. B. P. Chandrashekar , NRRDA,
New Delhi Critical review of innovative rural road construction techniques and their
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[15] Kaniraj, S. R. and Havanagi, V. G., Behavior of cement-stabilized fiber-
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[17] G Gnana Prasanna and Rakesh J Pillai [2014] carried out study on “ Influence
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International Journal of Research In Science & Engineering e-ISSN: 2394-8299

Volume: 3 Issue: 2 March-April 2017 p-ISSN: 2394-8280

SOIL STABILIZATION USING PLASTIC WASTE

Divya Patle1, Mamta Burike2, Sayli D. Madavi3, Suvarna Raut4

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

4. To determine the optimum plastic content to be used.

Table no. 1: Laboratory Test with Results

S. Laboratory Test Results

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES OF SOIL STABILIZATION

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

CHOUDHARY, JHA AND GILL: In 2010 demonstrated the potential of HDPE to

RAJKUMAR NAGLE: In 2014 performed CBR studied for improving engineering

MERCY JOSEPH POWETH: In 2013 investigated on safe and productive disposal

ACHMAD FAUZI: In 2016 calculated the engineering properties by mixing waste

CHEBET: In 2014 did laboratory investigations to determine the increase in

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

Moisture Vs. Dry Density

1.65 DRY DENSITY

Fig. 1 Soil with 2% plastic

Moisture Vs. Dry Density

Fig. 4 Soil with 8% plastic

Fig 5 Soil with 2% plastic

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

Fig. 7 Soil with 6% plastic

Fig. 8 Soil with 8% plastic

Table no. 2: The sample description with OMC and CBR %

Sample Description MDD(gm/cc) OMC CBR

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

Soil with 8% plastic 1.65 17.4 4.40

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

IJRISE JOURNAL| www.ijrise.org|editor@ijrise.org [58-68]

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