Environmental Aging Effect and Geotechnical Stabilization of Organic Waste on Soil

Abstract

This study analyzes the aging effect of organic waste like sugarcane bagasse on soil and its geotechnical stabilization. Our aim of this research is to make economical use of sugarcane bagasse and to maintain environmental balance by avoiding random disposal. Sugarcane bagasse is the major by-product of the sugar industry. It has a great potential for the production of bio-fuels and chemicals due to its considerable amount of cellulose and hemicelluloses. After crushing and milling the stalks, a fibrous residue called bagasse remains. Bagasse is universally used as a fuel source for the milling and refining plants and typically releases enough energy to power other parts of the power grid as well.

Soil taken for this research was CL type as per Indian standard classification system (ISCS) by performing basic tests in laboratory. The organic waste material like sugarcane bagasses were added in different percentage (1 & 3%) in black cotton soil and yellow soil. Also, geotechnical parameters were checked on soil + organic waste material with and without vermi composting. The performance of sugarcane bagasse stabilized soil was evaluated using strength performance tests namely; California bearing ratio (CBR) and Unconfined compressive strength test (UCS). From the results, it was observed that there was significant increase in the strength after the addition of sugarcane bagasse also the effect of organic waste on the yellow soil was quite more, as compared to black cotton soil after vermi composting. It was noticed that the changes in the environmental properties of soil with respect to time was of better quality in yellow soil.