Stabilization of Expansive Soil Using Chemical Stabilizer with Cement

This Research work is aimed to evaluate the suitability of slightly alkaline liquid sodium silicate for stabilization of black cotton soil of India. The study also aimed to investigate the effect of applying liquid sodium silicate with ordinary Portland cement on engineering properties of treated soil. The Laboratory testing involved during experimentation are Atterberg limit test, Proctor test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, Swelling test and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test. The locally available black cotton soil was treated on various combinations of liquid sodium silicate with ordinary Portland cement. The cement was taking 3 % constant and liquid sodium silicate varies 1%, 2%, 3%, 5% and 7% of dry weight of Soil. Samples were cured for 4,7,14 and 28 days before testing. It was observed that 1) CBR and UCS values increases and reduced the swelling properties up to 3% combination. (2) Beyond 3% combination it reduces the strength development and increases the swelling properties. (3) Curing enhanced strength development from 4 to 28 days. [8] Findings of the Laboratory investigation imply that good quality materials, dense compaction, longer curing and proper proportion of stabilizer should be applied for Cementious stabilization. Only the liquid sodium silicate is not a suitable stabilizer but it relatively gives encouraging results with combination of 3% cement by dry weight of soil. The Combination of 3% liquid sodium silicate with 3% cement by dry weight of soil was observed to be the best combination for stabilization of expansive soil as black cotton soil.