Bioenzymatic-Lime Stabilization of Different Soils

Abstract

Soil stabilization in modern era is a prime need as the availability of good land is not possible everywhere. By modifying the properties of soil like the bearing capacity, strength characteristics can be enhanced to meet the design requirements for pavement construction. The conventional methods are time-consuming and are not economically feasible. Hence, there is a need to discover the other possible ways to satisfy the performance as well as economic criteria. Stabilization of soil with bioenzyme along with lime is a very new method to improve the geotechnical properties of the soil. In the present work, the effect of stabilization of two different soils with bioenzymes along with lime has been studied. Locally, available soils are taken, and experimental investigation is carried out. One of the soils is found to be expansive, and another is non-expansive but having very low strength characteristics, so both the soils are fall in category of problematic soil. Optimum dose of bioenzyme and various amount of lime (2, 4, 6, 8%) both used together for stabilization. Appropriate curing period of one, two, and four weeks is provided. The tests are carried out to determine the consistency limits, compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), California bearing ratio (CBR), Free swell index and mineralogical test is also carried out. The laboratory test results show promising results in terms of strength of the stabilized soil. Strength characteristics like unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and CBR value were improved by 14 times and 8 times to its initial value, respectively, and the soil which was highly expansive became low expansive after treatment. More than 5 times reduction is recorded in FSI value. XRD analysis is also carried out that also justifies the stabilization.