Effect On Shear Strength of Red Soil Due of Degradation of Natural Fiber

EFFECT ON SHEAR STRENGTH OF RED SOIL DUE OF DEGRADATION OF NATURAL
FIBER
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Soil stability is one of the most important topics in geotechnical engineering
practices. With frequent failure of soil mass, whether it is on a slope or level ground,
have proved to be costly in terms of both life and property. Various soil stabilization
techniques including fiber reinforcement have been in use for a while and the results
in some of them have been quite satisfactory. Soil reinforcement is defined as a
technique to improve the engineering characteristics of soil. The process of soil
reinforcement helps to achieve the required properties in a soil needed for the
construction work. Reinforcing soils using tension resisting elements is an attractive
means of improving the performance of soil in a cost effective manner. Soil
reinforcement by fiber material is considered an effective ground improvement
method because of its cost effectiveness, easy adaptability and productivity.
There are many fibers like natural and artificial. But the use of biodegradable
natural fibers as reinforcement materials is gaining popularity. Here, in this project we
are using sisal fibers which are moth proof, resistant to fungi, and rot, provide
excellent insulation against temperature and sound, not easily combustible, unaffected
by moisture and dampness, tough and durable. These fibers are used in slope
stabilization, highway cutting and fillings, footings, and retaining walls where the soil
is poor in its strength.
Red soil is derived from weathering of ancient metamorphic rock of the

Deccan plateau. Red soil is a type of soil that develops in a warm, temperate, moist
climate under deciduous or mixed forest, having thin organic and organic-mineral
layers overlying a yellowish-brown leached layer resting on an illuvium red layer.
Red soils are generally derived from crystalline rock. They are usually poor growing
soils, low in nutrients and humus and difficult to cultivate because of its low water
holding capacity. Red soils denote the third largest soil group of India covering an
area of about 3.5 lakhs sq. km (10.6% of India's area) over the Peninsula from Tamil
Nadu in the south to Bundelkhand in the north and Rajmahal hills in the east to
Katchch in the west. They surround the red soils on their south, east and north.
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 2

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1.1. PROBLEMATIC SOIL:
The soil causes additional problems from the engineering point of view as a
result of the circumstances of its composition or a change in environmental condition.
Many soils can prove problematic in geotechnical engineering, because they expand,
collapse, disperse, undergo excessive settlement, have a distinct lake of strength or are
soluble. Such characteristics may be attributable to their composition, the nature of
their pore fluids, their mineralogy or their fabric.
1.2. RED SOIL:

Deccan plateau. Red soil is any of a group of soil that grows in a humid temperature,
moist climate under deciduous and mix forests and that have raw mineral, thin organic
layers overlying a yellowish brown leached deposit resting on an alluvial. Their color
is mostly ferric oxides occurring a slight coating on the soil particle through the iron
oxide arise as hematite as hydrous ferric oxide, the color is red and when it happens in
the hydrate system as limonite the soil become to be yellow color. Generally, the
surface soils are red while the horizon under gets yellowish color.
1.3. SOIL STABILIZATION:
In order to improve the soil properties stabilization or reinforcement of soil is

done. Soil reinforcement or soil stabilization is defined as a technique to improve the
engineering characteristics of soil in such a way that it processes the adequate wet
strength, durability and dimensional stability both in dry and moist conditions. The
main idea of usage of “SOIL STABILIZATION” is to improve the quality &
performance soil by low-cost technology, with the usage of wastes generated by
various industries and by the usage of natural fibers.
CHAPTER 2
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LITERATURE SURVEY
1. Mr. Pragyan Mishra and P. Suresh Chandra Babu (2017) conducted laboratory
investigation on improvement of geotechnical properties of red soil using waste
plastic. According to them, the waste plastics can be used as a good stabilizing agent
to enhance the Geo- Technical properties of the soil. As an additive to the soil, it
increases the CBR value about 3 times more than that of the virgin soil i.e. 9.03% to
29.77%. The increase in CBR value shows that the use of waste plastics with
appropriate percentage may prove beneficial for red soil stabilization. The shear
strength parameters also increase when the plastic content increases up to certain
percentage of shear strength. In a sense red soil can be seen as eroded soil that needs
more attention and much more soil management, so that they can be used properly. As
a result, it can be observed that, plastic waste is the good non-biodegradable material,
which can be used for improvement of geotechnical properties of such type of soils
i.e. Red Soil.
2. Himadri Baruah (2015) conducted a study on the effect of glass fibers on Red
soil. In this study, an attempt was made to study the benefits of glass fibers as a
reinforcing element in red loamy soil of Assam. Various tests were conducted to
determine the effects of glass fibers on the liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index,
optimum moisture content and maximum dry density and the unconfined compressive
strength of the red soil. From the various results obtained the liquid limit and plastic
limit of the soil increased on addition of fibers, the plasticity index reduced, which
indicated the reduction in the compressible nature of the soil. The optimum moisture
content increased and maximum dry density reduced on addition of fibers but the
unconfined compressive strength of the soil increased. This indicated that glass fibers
can be used as reinforcing materials to help soil retain their strength. But the increase
in strength of the soil will be limited only up to optimum fiber content. In this study,
the maximum fiber content used was 1.5% by dry weight of the soil. Further studies
can be made to see the optimum fiber content and also the orientation of the fibers.
Different length of fibers can be used to see the effect on soil properties. As
the unconfined compressive strength of the soil increased and plasticity index of the

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soil was reduced, red loamy soil, reinforced with glass fibers can be used in sub grade
formation for road construction, slope stability, ground improvement techniques etc.
3. Bagasingi Rajalaxmi (2015) conducted a laboratory study on stabilization of Red

soil using blast furnace slag. Based on the experimental results, the Plasticity Index is
decreasing up to a value of 27.6% with addition of 20% of blast furnace slag with red
soil. The Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) are
increasing by 2.3% and 33% respectively. The UCS value is maximum with addition
of 10% of blast furnace slag afterwards UCS value decreases with further addition in
blast furnace slag. The UCS value increases with curing period.
4. Aparna Roy (2014). According to him Soil stabilization has become a major issue
in construction engineering and the researches regarding the effectiveness of using
industrial wastes are rapidly increasing. The present experimental work briefly
describes the suitability of the locally available Rice Husk Ash (RHA) to be used in
the local construction industry in a way to minimize the amount of waste to be
disposed to the environment causing environmental pollution. The common soil
stabilization techniques are becoming costly day by day due to the rise of cost of the
stabilizing agents like, cement, lime, etc. Replacing a good proportion of stabilizing
agent using RHA may minimize the cost of stabilization. It will minimize the
environmental hazards also the increase in RHA content increases the OMC but
decreases the MDD. Also, the CBR value and UCS of soil are considerably improved
with the RHA content. From the observation of maximum improvement in strength,
10% RHA content with 6% cement is recommended as optimum amount for practical
purposes. Observing the tremendous improvement of CBR value of soil, the present
soil stabilization technique may mostly be recommended for construction of
pavement.
5. Dr. Robert M. Brooks (2009) According to him increase the strength of expansive
soil as a construction material using rice husk ash (RHA) and fly ash, which are waste
materials. The expansive soil was blended with RHA and fly ash and strength tests
were conducted. The ability of RHA-fly ash blend as a swell reduction layer between
the footing of a foundation and sub-grade was studied. Stress strain behavior of
unconfined compressive strength showed that failure stress and strains increased by
106% and 50% respectively when the fly ash content was increased from 0 to 25%.

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When the RHA content was increased from 0 to 12%, Unconfined Compressive Stress
increased by 97% while CBR improved by 47%. Therefore, an RHA content of 12%
and a fly ash content of 25% are recommended for strengthening the expansive sub-
grade soil. A fly ash content of 15% is recommended for blending into RHA for
forming a swell reduction layer because of its satisfactory performance in the
laboratory tests

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CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVES
The objectives are:
 Study the basic Engineering properties of Red soil.
 To study shear strength of stabilized red soil.
 To obtain the optimum percentage of cement, rice husk ash and sisal fiber to
Red soil from strength criteria.
 To degrade the natural fiber by natural biodegradation process.
 To study the effect of degraded natural fiber on shear strength of stabilized

soil.
 To stabilize the Red soil treated with cement and different dosages of rice husk
ash with degraded sisal fiber mixture and strength tested for curing conditions
of 28 days.

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CHAPTER 4
MATERIALS
4.1 Red loamy soil:

Deccan plateau. Red soil is a type of soil that develops in a warm, temperate, moist
climate under deciduous or mixed forest, having thin organic and organic-mineral
layers overlying a yellowish-brown leached layer resting on an illuvium red layer.
Red soils are generally derived from crystalline rock. They are usually poor growing
soils, low in nutrients and humus and difficult to cultivate because of its low water
holding capacity. Red soils denote the third largest soil group of India covering an
area of about 3.5 lakhs sq. km (10.6% of India's area) over the Peninsula from Tamil
Nadu in the south to Bundelkhand in the north and Rajmahal hills in the east to
Katchch in the west. They surround the red soils on their south, east and north.
Parameters Values
pH (1:2.5) 8.48
Organic carbon (%) 0.06
Exchangeable Magnesium(meq/100 g soil) 12
Exchangeable Calcium (meq/100 g soil) 2.2
Lime content (%) Nil
Table 4.1 Analysis of Red soil
Fig. 4.1 Red soil
4.2 Rice Husk Ash:
Rice milling generates a by-product know as husk. This surrounds the paddy
grain. During milling of paddy about 78 % of weight is received as rice, broken rice
and bran. Rest 22 % of the weight of paddy is received as husk. This husk is used as

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fuel in the rice mills to generate steam for the parboiling process. This husk contains
about 75 % organic volatile matter and the balance 25 % of the weight of this husk is
converted into ash during the firing process, is known as rice husk ash (RHA). This
RHA in turn contains around 85 % - 90 % amorphous silica. Chemical composition of
rice husk ash is given in table
SL No. Parameters Results (%)

1 Loss of ignition 3.56
2 Silica content 88.53
3 Alumina oxide 0.12
4 Ferric oxide 3.92
5 Calcium oxide 0.84
6 Magnesium oxide 0.52
7 Potassium oxide 0.17
8 Sodium oxide 2.1
Table 4.2 Chemical composition of RHA
Fig: 4.2 Rice Husk Ash
4.3 Cement:
Cement used is an ordinary Portland cement of 43grade, which doesn't include any
Industrial wastes. It was used to act as a binding agent in order to increase the strength
and stability of the soil. It also reduces permeability of soil hence reduces the water
absorption in later stage.

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Fig: 4.3 Cement
4.4 Natural Fibers (Sisal Fibers):
Sisal Fiber is one of the most widely used natural Fiber and is very easily cultivated.
It is obtain from sisal plant. The plant is formally known as Agave Sisalana. These
plants produce rosettes of sword-shaped leaves which start out toothed, and gradually
lose their teeth with maturity. Each leaf contains a number of long, straight Fibers
which can be removed in a process known as decortication. During decortication, the
leaves are beaten to remove the pulp and plant material, leaving the tough Fibers
behind. The Fibers can be spun into thread for twine and textile production, or pulped
to make paper products.
Fig: 4.4 Sisal Fibers
4.4.1 Properties of Sisal Fiber:
1. Sisal Fiber is exceptionally durable with a low maintenance with minimum wear
and tear.
2. Sisal Fibers are generally Recyclable.
3. It exhibits good sound and impact absorbing properties.
4. Its leaves can be treated with natural borax for fire resistance properties.

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5. These Fibers have a good tension resistance/ tensile strength.
4.4.2 Uses/Application of Sisal Fiber:
1. These Fibers have a good tension resistance/ tensile strength.
2. Short Sisal Fibers delay restrained plastic, shrinkage controlling crack development
at early ages.
3. In developed countries they are used as reinforcement in houses.
4. It is also used as binding material for plaster mouldings as well as in the

construction industry to reinforce plaster in ceilings and walls. 5. It is also
surprisingly used as the Fiber core of the steel wire cables of elevators, being used for
lubrication and flexibility purposes. Traditionally sisal was the leading material for
agricultural twine or baler twine. Although this has now been overtaken by
polypropylene. 6. It is used in automobile industry with Fiberglass in composite
materials and also in construction of water tanks and pipes.
4.4.3 Extraction of Sisal Fiber:
As a first step, Sisal leaves are collected from the plant called “Agave
Sisalana”. Then , these leaves are bind together and are immersed completely in the
water tank for 15 days, so that all the pulp of the leaf is expelled in the form of thick
foam. Later these leaves are beaten against any rough surface so that the leaves sap
and pulp are removed. And tough Fibers are obtained. Further these Fibers are made
to undergo treatment and are cut to suitab

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Fig. 4.5 Extraction of sisal fiber

4.4.4 Pre-treatment for sisal Fibers:
Objective: As stated above the degradation of the sisal Fibers is primarily due to
moisture absorption, our intention is to make them hydrophobic by some of the
surface treatments.
Hydrophilic nature of sisal Fibers:
The most serious problems associated with these Fibers is moisture absorption
which causes the Fiber to swell and ultimately rotting takes place due to the attack of
fungi. Sisal Fibers are hydrophilic in nature as they are derived from lignocelluloses
which contain strongly polarized hydroxyl groups responsible for water absorption.To
reduce water absorption the Fibers have to be changed either chemically/physically.
Processing techniques of Sisal Fibers:
Fiber processing techniques play an important role in decreasing the moisture
absorbing capacity and microbial degradation which improves the quality of Fibers.
In our case processing of Fibers involves two steps,
1. Chemical treatment of Fibers.
2. Physical treatment of Fibers.
Chemical treatment of Fibers: There are many methods of surface treatments like
Acetylation, Mercerization or Alkali treatment, Etherification, Peroxide treatment,
Benzoylation, Sodium chlorite treatment, graft method, Isocyanite treatment, Plasma
treatment and use of silane coupling agents. Any of the above stated treatments can be
used in order to reduce the water absorbing capacity thereby to mitigate deterioration.

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For our convenience and availability of materials we employed the technique of

Mercerization or alkali treatment using Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
Following are the steps involved in the Alkali treatment;
1. Prepare 10% NaOH solution by dissolving 4grams of NaOH pellets in a 1000ml of
distilled water (earned from literature review).
2. Rinse the possible amount of sisal Fibers in the solution for about an hour and wash
them in distilled water in order to remove the sap.
3. Dry the processed sisal Fibers under sunlight till they are completely dried and are
combed evenly for the next processing method.
Physical Treatment of Fibers:
After the seasoning of sisal Fibers with NaOH solution they are coated with water
resistant polyester resin. (G.P resin)
The steps involved here are;
1. The resin is the general purpose polyester resin in which the Cobalt Napthanate
which is a catalyst is premixed in proper proportion with the resin by the chemical
experts from where the resin was bought. Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (MEKP) is
an accelerator which is used to vary the hardening time of resin and for our case it is
used as 1ml for every 10ml of resin (proportion got by trial and error).
2. The resin is coated generously over the combed sisal Fibers and let to air dry. After
all these steps the sisal Fibers are made hydrophobic to a maximum extent so that
there will be no change in volume of fibers due to moisture absorption and also the
texture of fibers became rough so that enough adhesion is earned between the fibers
and the soil particles in which the fibers are induced.
4.4.5 Degradation of Sisal Fiber: Objectives:
To degrade the sisal fiber using natural Bio-degradation process.
Chemicals used:
Culture (Aspergillus), Urea
Degradation mechanism:
Lignin present in the fiber is composite material with high strength and
rigidity. These can be degraded only by fungi under aerobic condition. Here we used
Aspergillus as culture media for degradation. This fungi use their hyphae to break
down organic matter by releasing enzymes and use of additives can help the fungi to
simulate in enzyme production to degrade more lignin. Adding nitrogen as additive
could enhance colonization of substrate. However, it is believed that lignin

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degradation takes place in nitrogen poor environment (Tripathi & Yadav, 1992). In
this test, urea was used as the source of nitrogen.
Proportion: 1kg urea = 100 liter water
10gm Culture = 1 kg fiber
Procedure:
1. 70 liters of water is added in a water tight tank with 700gm urea, 4476gm
fibers and 447.6gm culture as calculated by proportion and fibers are fully
immersed in the prepared culture solution for degradation.
2. The degraded fiber so obtained is washed and air dried for 24 hours and
percentage weight loss is calculated and cut into 2cm to 2.5cm size and used
for shear strength testing.
3. For the test we use 15 days degraded fibers which comes to be around 16.39%
degradation rate.
Fig: 4.6 Degradation of sisal fiber
CHAPTER 5
TESTS CONDUCTED
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5.1 Specific gravity:
Specific gravity of a substance denotes the number of times that substance is heavier
than water. In simpler words we can define it as the ratio between the mass of any
substance of a definite volume divided by mass of equal volume of water. In case of
soil, specific gravity is the number of times the soil solids are heavier than equal
volume of water. Different types of soil have different specific gravities.
5.2 Atterberg’s limits:
5.2.1 Liquid limit by Casagrande’s apparatus:
This test is performed to determine the liquid limits of a fine grained soil. The liquid
limit (LL) is arbitrarily defined as the water content, in percent, at which a part of soil
in a standard cup and cut by a groove of standard dimensions will flow together at the
base of the groove for a distance of 2.0mm when subjected to 25 strokes from the cup
being dropped 10mm in a standard liquid limit apparatus operated at a rate of two
strokes per second.
5.2.2Plastic limit:
The plastic limit is determined by rolling out a thread of the fine portion of a
soil on a flat, non-porous surface. If the soil is plastic, this thread will retain its shape
down to a very narrow diameter (3mm). The sample can then be remoulded and the
test is repeated. As the moisture content falls due to evaporation, the thread will begin
to break apart at larger diameters. The plastic limit is defined as the moisture content
where the thread breaks apart at a diameter of 3.2 mm (about 1/8 inch)
5.3 Sieve analysis:
The percentage of various sizes of particles in a given dry soil sample is found by a
particle size analysis or mechanical analysis. By mechanical analysis is meant the
separation of a soil into its different size fraction and it can be performed in two
stages;
(i) Dry Sieve analysis
(ii) Sedimentation analysis or wet analysis and Hydrometer analysis.
5.4 Standard proctor test:

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To obtain the relation between moisture content and dry density of soil using
light compaction and hence to find out the value of maximum dry density
(M.D.D.) and optimum moisture content (O.M.C.)
Fig. 5.1 Standard proctor compaction equipments
5.5 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test:
This is a penetration test developed by the california division of highways, as a

method for evaluating the stability of soil subgarde and other flexible pavement
material. The test result have been correlated with flexible pavement thickness
requirements for highways and airfields. The CBR test may be conducted in the
laboratory on a prepared speciman in a mould or in-situ in the field.

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Fig. 5.2 CBR testing machine
5.6 Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test:
The unconfined compression test is by far the most popular method of soil
shearing testing because it is one of the fastest and cheapest methods of measuring
shear strength. The method is used primarily for saturated, cohesive soils recovered
from thin walled sampling tubes. The unconfined compression test is inappropriate for
dry sands or crumbly clays because the materials would fall apart without some land
of lateral confinement.
Fig: 5.3 Unconfined Compression Test Machine
CHAPTER 6

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TEST PROCEDURES
6.1 Specific Gravity:
Objective: Determine the specific gravity of soil fraction passing 4.75 mm I.S sieve
by Pycnometer method.
Need and Scope: The knowledge of specific gravity is needed in calculation of soil
properties like void ratio, degree of saturation etc.
Definition: Specific gravity (G) is defined as the ratio of the weight of an equal
volume of distilled water at that temperature both weights taken in air.
Apparatus Required:
1. Pycnometer.
2. Balance to weigh the materials (accuracy 10gm).
3. Wash bottle with distilled water.
Procedure:
1. Clean and dry the Pycnometer bottle wash the bottle with water and allow it to
drain.
2. Weigh the empty bottle with cap (W1)
3. Take about 1/3rd of oven dried soil sample which is cooled in a dessicator. Transfer
it to the bottle. Find the weight of the bottle and soil (W2).
4. Fill the distilled water in the bottle completely and allow the soil to soak
completely. Find the weight of bottle including water with soil (w3)
5. Again fill the distilled water in the bottle completely. Now determine the weight of
the bottle with water (W4).
6. Repeat the same process for 2 to 3 times, to take the average reading of it.

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Fig. 6.1 Specific Gravity
6.2Atterberg’s Limits:
6.2.1 Liquid Limit Test:
Objective:
1. Prepare soil specimen as per specification.
2. Find the relationship between water content and number of blows.
3. Draw flow curve.
4. Find out liquid limit.
Need and Scope:

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Liquid limit is significant to know the stress history and general properties of the soil
met with construction. From the results of liquid limit the compression index may be
estimated. The compression index value will help us in settlement analysis. If the
natural moisture content of soil is closer to liquid limit, the soil can be considered as
soft if the moisture content is lesser than liquids limit, the soil can be considered as
soft if the moisture content is lesser than liquid limit. The soil is brittle and stiffer.
Theory:
The liquid limit is the moisture content at which the groove, formed by a standard
tool into the sample of soil taken in the standard cup, closes for 10mm on being given
25 blows in a standard manner. At this limit the soil possess low shear strength.
Apparatus Required:
1. Balance
2. Liquid limit device (Casagrande’s)
3. ASTM Grooving tool
4. Spatula & Porcelain dish
5. Electrical Oven
Procedure:
1. About 120gms of air-dried soil from thoroughly mixed portion of material passing
425 micron I.S sieve is to be obtained. 2. Distilled water is mixed to the soil thus
obtained in a mixing disc to form uniform paste. The paste shall have a consistency
that would require 30 to 35 drops of cup to cause closer of standard groove for
sufficient length.
3. A portion of the paste is placed in the cup of liquid limit device and spread into
portion with few strokes of spatula.
4. Trim it to a depth of 1cm at the point of maximum thickness and return excess of
soil to the dish.
5. The soil in the cup shall be divided by the firm strokes of the grooving tool along
the diameter through the center line of the follower so that clean sharp groove of
proper dimension is formed.

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6. Lift and drop the cup by turning crank at the rate of two revolutions per second
until the two halves of soil cake come in contact with each other for a length of about
1cm by flow only.
7. The number of blows required to cause the groove close for about 1cm shall be
recorded.
8. A representative portion of soil is taken from the cup for water content
determination. 9. Repeat the test with different moisture contents at least three more
times for blows between 10 and 40.
Fig. 6.2 Casagrande's apparatus
6.2.2 Plastic Limit Test
Need and Scope: Soil is used for making bricks, tiles, and soil cement blocks in
addition to its use as foundation for structures.
Apparatus Required:
1. Porcelain dish
2. Glass plate
3. Air tight containers
4. Balance of capacity 200gm and sensitive to 0.01gm
5. Oven thermostatically controlled with interior of non-corroding material to maintain

the temperature around 1050 and 1100C
Procedure:

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1. Take about 20gm of thoroughly mixed portion of the material passing through 425
micron I.S. Sieve obtained in accordance with I.S. 2720 (part 5)1985.
2. Mix it thoroughly with distilled water in the evaporating dish till the soil mass
becomes plastic enough to be easily moulded with fingers
3. Allow it to season for sufficient time (for 24 hrs.) to allow water to permeate
throughout the soil mass.
4. Take about 10gms of this plastic soil mass and roll it between fingers and glass
plate with just sufficient pressure to roll the mass into a threaded of uniform diameter
throughout its length.
5. Continue rolling till you get a threaded of 3 mm diameter.
6. Kneed the soil together to a uniform mass and re-roll.
7. Continue the process until the thread crumbles when the diameter is 3 mm.
8. Collect the pieces of the crumbled thread in air tight container for moisture content
determination.
9. Repeat the test to at least 3 times and take the average of the results calculated to
the nearest whole number.
Fig. 6.3 Plastic Limit
6.3 Sieve analysis:
Dry sieve analysis:
Objective: To classify the coarse grained soil (4.75mm to 0.075mm)

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Apparatus: Balance (accurate to 1gm) and weights, set of IS-sieves (i.e.425mic,

300mic, 150mic, 75mic and pan), sieve brushes, mechanical sieve shaker.
Procedure:
1. Weight about 1kg of oven dried soil sample and break all the bigger lumps
. 2. The weighed sample to be washed on 0.075mm sieve and transfer the soil fraction
retained on 0.075mm sieve to a trey and keeps it in an oven to dry.
3. Take empty weight of each sieve.
4. Arrange the sieve in descending order i.e., larger diameter sieves at the top and
smaller diameter sieves at the bottom.
5. Place the dried soil sample in upper most sieve i.e. IS-4.75mm sieve. Fix the whole
assembly to the mechanical sieve shaker.
6. Sieve is done for a period of 10min to 15min.
7. Weight the transfer residue retained in each sieve.
8. Find the percentage weight retained on each sieve and cumulative percentage. Find
out the percentage finer by dividing the cumulative percentage from 100.
9. Draw the graph between particle size along x-axis and percentage finer on y-axis
using semi-log sheet.
10. Find the co-efficient of curvature (Cc) and co-efficient of uniformity (Cu) using
the graph by the following relations.
6.4 Standard proctor compaction Test:
Objective: To obtain the relation between moisture content and dry density of soil
using light compaction and hence to find out the value of maximum dry density
(M.D.D.) and optimum moisture content (O.M.C.)
Material and equipment: Compaction mould with extension collar and base plate,
proctor metal hammer for standard compaction (2.6kg weight), 4.75 mm I.S. sieve,
mixing tools such as trowel, spatula, measuring cylinder, tray, oven, grease etc.
Procedure:

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1. Measure the dimension of empty mould. From these observations volume of mould
is calculated.
2. The mass of empty mould with base plate is determined and grease is applied to
the mould from inside.
3. Take oven dry sample passing through 2.36mm I.S sieve.
4. Add water in percentage with respect to the whole soil mass increasingly from a
minimum of 10% till maximum density is achieved.
5. Collar is attached to mould fixed to the base plate.
6. The standard (prepared) soil is filled in the mould in three layers and compacted
with 25 blows each, collar is removed and excessive soil is trimmed off and top of the
mould 7. The soil is extracted from the mould and representative sample is taken from
the mould for determination of water content.
8. This process is repeated and observations are noted down.
9. From the above observations, dry density of mass of competed soil is calculated.
10. The above steps are continued for adding various mix proportions for calculating
MDD and OMC.
11. The mass of mould with base plate and compacted soil is determined.

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Graph 6.1 Variation of MDD with OMC
6.5 Laboratory Determination of California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test
Apparatus:
 Mould of 2250cc capacity with base plate and collar.
 Surcharge weight (5Kg)
 Compressive testing machine having a capacity of at least 10kN
 Movable head or base that travels at a uniform rate of 1.25mm / min for use in
 Forcing the penetration plunger in to the specimen.  California bearing ratio

testing machine with Penetration plunger.
 Dial gauge (L.C = 0.01mm) and proving ring (L.C = 0.00947mm).
 IS sieves 20mm.
 Miscellaneous apparatus such as mixing bowl, straight edge, scales, soaking

tank,
 Drying oven, filter paper, dishes and calibrated measuring jar.
Procedure (static compaction):
1. In this method calculate the mass of wet soil at required moisture content to give a
desired density when compacted in a standard test mould as given below; a. Volume
of mould = 2250cc. b. Weight of dry soil (W) = 2250 x MDD.
2. Take oven dried soil sample of calculated weight and thoroughly mix with water
(OMC) obtained from standard proctor test.
3. Place the correct mass of the wet soil in to the mould in three layers.
4. Gently compact each layer with the surcharge weight.
5. Place a filter paper on top of the soil followed by a surcharge weight (5cms).

FIBER
6. Compact the mould by pressing it in between the platens of the compression testing
machine until the top of the surcharge weight comes flush with the top of the mould.
7. In some soil types where a certain amount of rebound occurs, it may be necessary
to reapply load to force the surcharge weight slightly below the top of the mould so
that on rebound the right volume is obtained. 8. Remove the mould from the
compression testing machine. 9. Prepare specimens in the same procedure as
described above for different proportions.
Curing Condition:
1.In case of curing condition the same prepared mould is wrapped with wetted gunny
bags.
2. Place the weights to produce a surcharge equal to the weight of base material and
pavement to the nearest 5kg on the perforated plate.
3. This mould is kept in a container with water up to the base plate and it is placed in a
dark place for 24 days.
Soaking condition:
4. Immerse the whole mould and weights in a tank of water allowing free access of
water to the top and bottom of specimen for 4days. 5. Maintain a constant water level
throughout the period of soaking.
6. After soaking, take out the specimen from the water and remove the extension
collar, perforated disc, surcharge weights and filter paper. 7. Drain off the excess
water by placing the mould inclined for about 15 minutes.
Testing of CBR specimen:
1. Place the mould on the lower plate of the testing machine with top face exposed.
2. To prevent upheaval of soil in to the hole of surcharge weights, place 2.5kg annular
weight on the soil surface prior to seating the penetration plunger after which place
the reminder of the surcharge weights.
3. Set the plunger under a load of 10kN so that full contact is established between the
surface of the specimen and the plunger.
. Set the stress and strain gauges to zero.

FIBER
5. Consider the initial load applied to the plunger as the zero loads.
6. Apply the load at the rate of 1.25 mm / min.
7. Take the readings of the load at penetration of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0,
4.5, 5.0 and 5.5.
8. Raise the plunger and detach the mould from the loading equipment.
Penetration depth Unit standard load Total standard load

(mm) (Kg/cm²) ( kgf )
2.5 70 1370
5 105 2055
7.5 134 2630
10 162 3180
12.5 183 3600
Table: 6.1 Standard loads at specified penetrations
6.6 Laboratory Test of Unconfined Compressive Strength
Objective: To determine the unconfined compressive strength of Red soil.
Apparatus:
 Compression device of any suitable type
 Sample ejector
 Strain measuring dial gauge with 0.01mm graduations
 Stop watch
 Oven
 Balance
 Trimming, curving and remoulding apparatus
 Split mould of 3.6cm diameter and 7.6cm length
Test procedure:
A. Preparation of test specimen Sample is prepared by static compression of the red

soil in three layers at the desired water content and dry density in the split mould.
Curing Condition:

FIBER
1. In case of curing condition the same prepared mould is kept in a water tank.
2. This mould is kept in a container with water up to the base plate and it is placed in a
dark place for 24 days.
Soaking condition:
3. Immerse the whole mould in a tank of water allowing free access of water to the
top and bottom of specimen for 4 days.
4. Maintain a constant water level throughout the period of soaking.
5. After soaking, take out the specimen from the water and start testing in a UCS
machine.
B. Unconfined Compression test
1. Measure the initial length and diameter of the specimen.
2. Put the specimen on the bottom plate of the loading device. Adjust the upper plate
to make contact with the specimen. Set the load dial gauge and the strain
(compression) dial gauge to zero.
3. Compress the specimen until cracks have definitely developed or the stress strain
curve is well past its peak or until a vertical deformation of 20% is reached. Take the
load dial readings approximately at every 0.5mm deformation of the specimen.
4. Sketch the failure pattern, measure the angle between the cracks and the
horizontal, if possible, and of the specimen is homogeneous.
5. Calculate axial compression stress for each specimen and plot stress versus % of
fiber curve for every 5% increase in RHA.
CHAPTER 7
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

SL NO PARTICULARS 1 2
1 Mass of empty Pycnometer 689 695
bottle, (W1) in gms.
2 Mass of bottle + dry soil, (W2) 1039 1035
in gms

FIBER
3 Mass of bottle + dry soil + 1945 1930

water, (W3) in gms
4 Mass of bottle + water, (W4) in 1740 1730
gms
5 Specific gravity= W2-W1/ 2.41 2.42
((W2-W1)-(W3-W4))
6 Average specific gravity 689 2.415
7.1 Specific Gravity of Red Soil:
Table 7.1 Determination of Specific gravity of Red soil
7.2 Specific Gravity of Rice Husk Ash:
SL NO PARTICULARS 1 2
1 Mass of empty Pycnometer 69.50 70.00
bottle, (W1) in gms
2 Mass of bottle + RHA, (W2) in 85.49 86.12
gms
3 Mass of bottle + RHA+ water, 181.82 182.01
(W3) in gms.
4 Mass of bottle + water, (W4) in 174.22 174.22
gms.
5 Specific gravity= W2-W1/ 1.90 1.94
((W2-W1)-(W3-W4))
6 Average specific gravity 1.92
Table 7.2 Determination of Specific gravity of Rice Husk Ash

FIBER
7.3 Specific Gravity of Cement:
SL No PARTICULARS 1 2
1 Mass of empty bottle (W1) in gms 78.78 80.10
2 Mass of bottle + Water (W2) in gms 178.30 179.85
3 Mass of bottle + Kerosene (W3) in gms 157.65 160.13
4 Mass of bottle + Cement + Kerosene (W4) in 101.18 100.23
gms
5 Mass of cement (W5) gms 174.24 175.89
6 Specific gravity of kerosene =( W3-W1)/(W2- 0.792 0.80
W1)
7 Specific gravity of cement = W5 (W2-W1)/ 3.19 3.20
[(W5+W3-W4)(W2-W1)]
8 Average specific gravity 3.195
Table 7.3 Determination of Specific Gravity of Cement
7.4 Sieve Analysis:
Sieve size Wt. retained %Wt. Cumulative % Passing

retained (x)
4.75 42.13 8.43 8.43 91.57
2.00 64.01 12.80 21.23 78.57
0.425 124.77 24.95 46.18 53.82
0.075 11.03 2.21 48.39 51.61
Percentage of fineness =1.24
Table 7.4 Sieve Analysis of Red soil

FIBER
Graph 7.1 Sieve analysis of Red soil
7.5 ATTERBERG’S LIMITS:
7.5.1 Liquid Limit of Red Soil:
Crucible Crucible+ Crucible+ Blows Sample Moisture content

wt. (w1) wet soil dry soil no. w=[(w2w3)/(w3w1)]×100
gms (w2) gms (w3) gms
33.47 43.99 40.85 32 1 42.52

30.88 43.87 39.75 26 2 46.45
33.20 44.98 40.85 20 3 53.99
32.98 44.56 40.31 16 4 57.98
Table 7.5 Determination of Liquid limit
Graph 7.2 Liquid limit of Red soil
7.5.2. Plastic limit:

FIBER
Crucible Crucible+ Crucible+ Sample Moisture content Average

Plastic
wt. (w1) wet soil dry soil no. w=[(w2w3) Limit
gms (w2) gms (w3) gms /(w3w1)]
×100
37.85 42.91 41.56 1 36.39

33.51 38.30 37.40 2 23.14 29.76
Table 7.6: Determination of Plastic Limit
From Graph; Liquid Limit=48.00 %, Plastic Limit=29.76 %, Plasticity Index=18.24%
7.1 Standard Proctor Compaction Test
PROPORTIONS MIX MDD (gm/cc) OMC (%)

Normal Soil + 5% Cement + 5% RHA + 0.2% Fiber M1 1.37 33.92

FIBER

Table: 7.1 Determination of MDD and OMC
Graph 7.3 Variation of OMC with respect to % of fiber
Graph 7.4: Variation of MDD with respect to % of fiber

FIBER
The above graph 7.3 and 7.4 shows that by increasing the proportion of RHA and sisal
fiber with cement, there is a predominant increase in moisture content and decrease in
the maximum dry density. OMC increases from 33.92% to 38.40% and MDD
decreases from 1.37 to 1.17gm/cc.
CHAPTER 8
TEST RESULTS
8.1 CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO (CBR)TEST VALUES FOR

NON-DEGRADED FIBER
CBR values (%)
MIX PROPORTIONS 2.5mm 5mm
M1 Normal Soil + 5% Cement + 5% RHA + 0.2% Fiber 27.17 25.53

FIBER

Table: 8.1 CBR value for non degraded fiber

48% DEGRADED FIBER
CBR values (%)


FIBER
Table: 8.2 CBR value for 48% degraded fiber
Graph 8.1 Variation of CBR with respect to 48% degraded fiber

38.96% DEGRADED FIBER
CBR values (%)


FIBER
Table: 8.3 CBR value for 38.96% degraded fiber
Graph 8.2 Variation of CBR with respect to 38.96% degraded fiber
8.4 UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TEST VALUES

FOR NON-DEGRADED FIBER
PROPORTION MIX UCS (kN/m²)

Normal Soil + 5% Cement + 5% RHA + 0.2% Fiber M1 1280.00
Table: 8.4 UCS value for non degraded fiber

FIBER

FOR 48% DEGRADED FIBER


FIBER
Table: 8.5 UCS value for 48% degraded fiber
Graph 8.3 Variation of UCS with respect to 48% degraded fiber

FOR 38.96% DEGRADED FIBER


FIBER
Table: 8.6 UCS value for 38.96% degraded fiber
Graph 8.4 Variation of UCS with respect to 38.96% degraded fiber
8.7 Strength retained of CBR for degraded and non-

degraded fiber
CBR
% REDUCTION STRENGTH
MIX
NON 48% CBR RETAINED
DEGRADED DEGRADED
M1 27.17 24.35 10.38 89.62
M2 22.28 19.75 11.36 88.64
M3 20.04 17.85 10.93 89.07
M4 19.16 16.86 12.00 88.00
M5 42.41 37.67 11.18 88.82
M6 34.31 30.77 10.32 89.68
M7 32.87 29.52 10.19 89.81
M8 30.54 26.86 12.05 87.95
M9 29.72 26.32 11.44 88.56
M10 28.79 25.56 11.22 88.78

FIBER
M11 22.02 19.25 12.58 87.42

M12 21.3 18.77 11.88 88.12
Table 8.7 Strength retained in CBR for degraded and non-degraded fiber
CBR 38.96% %
STRENGTH
MIX NON 38.96%DEGRADE REDUCTION
RETAINED
DEGRADED D CBR
M1 27.17 25.06 7.77 92.23
M2 22.28 20.43 8.30 91.70
M3 20.04 18.53 7.53 92.47
M4 19.16 17.45 8.92 91.08
M5 42.41 39.22 7.52 92.48
M6 34.31 31.45 8.34 91.66
M7 32.87 30.22 8.06 91.94
M8 30.54 28.03 8.22 91.78
M9 29.72 26.87 9.59 90.41
M10 28.79 26.22 8.93 91.07
M11 22.02 19.98 9.26 90.74
M12 21.3 19.46 8.64 91.36
Table 8.8 Strength retained in CBR for degraded and non-degraded fiber
CHAPTER 9
CONCLUSIONS
 By the above results, we can conclude that there is increase in OMC and
decrease in MDD by increasing the percentage of natural fibers and
admixtures with cement to soil.
 It is observed that due to the addition of sisal fiber to the soil, there is a
predominant increase in the strength of soil up to certain limit i.e., 0.2% fiber
along with 10% RHA and 5% cement then further addition of fiber along with
RHA decreases the CBR value for degraded and non-degraded fibers. From
the above result we can conclude that the optimum percentage of 5% cement,
10% RHA and 0.2% fiber gives good CBR value for 16.39% degraded fiber
used in stabilization.

FIBER
 It is also observed that addition of sisal fiber to the soil, there is a

predominant increase in the strength of soil up to certain limit i.e.,0.4% fiber
along with 5% RHA and 5% cement then further addition of fiber along with
RHA decreases the CBR value for degraded and non-degraded fibers. From
the above result we can conclude that the optimum percentage of 5% cement,
5% RHA and 0.4% fiber gives good UCS value for 16.39% degraded fiber
used in stabilization.
 Overall, it can be concluded that the use of degraded fiber can reduce 3-5% in
UCS and 6-8% in CBR value, strength retention with 92.7- 93.99% for CBR
and 95-97% for UCS. Hence, there is no such massive reduction in strength
even after the fiber degraded up to 16.39%.
CHAPTER 10
SCOPE FOR FUTURE WORK
 The effect on shear strength of red soil on further decomposition of sisal fibers
may be determined.
 The strength characteristics of red soil on use of various natural fibers such as
coir fiber and artificial fibers like glass fibers can be evaluated.
 The effect of degraded sisal fibers on shear strength of various other types of
soil such as black cotton soil can be conducted.

FIBER
REFERENCES
1. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 48
Number 7 June 2017
2. International Journal of Civil Engineering Research. ISSN 2278-3652 Volume 5,

Number 1 (2014), pp. 49-54
3. International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences ISSN:

2076734X, EISSN: 2076-7366 Volume 1, Issue 3(December 2009)
4. International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences. ISSN:

2076734X EISSN: 2076-7366 Volume 1, Issue 3(December 2009).
5. EFFECT OF GLASS FIBERS ON RED SOIL Himadri Baruah Department of

Civil Engineering, Royal School of Engineering and Technology, (India)

FIBER
6. STABILIZATION OF RED SOIL USING BLAST FURNACE SLAG by

Bagasingi Rajalaxmi
7. International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering ISSN 0974-5904, Volume

05, No.06 (01).
8. https://googleweblight.com/i?u=http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/aspergillus&hl=en-
IN
9. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decomposition

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EFFECT ON SHEAR STRENGTH OF RED SOIL DUE OF DEGRADATION OF NATURAL

Red soil is derived from weathering of ancient metamorphic rock of the

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 2

1.1. PROBLEMATIC SOIL:

1.2. RED SOIL:

Red soil is derived from weathering of ancient metamorphic rock of the

1.3. SOIL STABILIZATION:

In order to improve the soil properties stabilization or reinforcement of soil is

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 4

3. Bagasingi Rajalaxmi (2015) conducted a laboratory study on stabilization of Red

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 5

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 6

 Study the basic Engineering properties of Red soil.

 To study shear strength of stabilized red soil.

 To degrade the natural fiber by natural biodegradation process.

 To study the effect of degraded natural fiber on shear strength of stabilized

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 7

4.1 Red loamy soil:

Red soil is derived from weathering of ancient metamorphic rock of the

Fig. 4.1 Red soil

4.2 Rice Husk Ash:

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 8

SL No. Parameters Results (%)

Fig: 4.2 Rice Husk Ash

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 9

Fig: 4.3 Cement

4.4 Natural Fibers (Sisal Fibers):

Fig: 4.4 Sisal Fibers

4.4.1 Properties of Sisal Fiber:

2. Sisal Fibers are generally Recyclable.

3. It exhibits good sound and impact absorbing properties.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 10

5. These Fibers have a good tension resistance/ tensile strength.

4.4.2 Uses/Application of Sisal Fiber:

1. These Fibers have a good tension resistance/ tensile strength.

3. In developed countries they are used as reinforcement in houses.

4. It is also used as binding material for plaster mouldings as well as in the

4.4.3 Extraction of Sisal Fiber:

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 11

Fig. 4.5 Extraction of sisal fiber

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 12

For our convenience and availability of materials we employed the technique of

To degrade the sisal fiber using natural Bio-degradation process.

Culture (Aspergillus), Urea

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 13

Proportion: 1kg urea = 100 liter water

10gm Culture = 1 kg fiber

Fig: 4.6 Degradation of sisal fiber

5.1 Specific gravity:

5.2 Atterberg’s limits:

5.2.1 Liquid limit by Casagrande’s apparatus:

5.3 Sieve analysis:

(i) Dry Sieve analysis

(ii) Sedimentation analysis or wet analysis and Hydrometer analysis.

5.4 Standard proctor test:

Fig. 5.1 Standard proctor compaction equipments

5.5 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test:

This is a penetration test developed by the california division of highways, as a

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 16

Fig. 5.2 CBR testing machine

5.6 Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test:

Fig: 5.3 Unconfined Compression Test Machine

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, RIT, HASSAN Page 17