CEMENT STABILISED AND FIBER REINFORCED CLAY MIXED WITH RICE HUSK ASH

A series of tests were conducted to study the combined effect of polypropylene fiber, cement and rice husk ash on kaolin clay. Cement and rice husk ash were added to clayey soil at ranges of 0–6% and 0–20%, respectively. Fiber content was varied as 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%. To understand the impact of these additives on clay different tests like; compaction tests, unconfined compression tests (UCS), split tensile strength tests (STS) and California bearing ratio tests (CBR). In addition SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and XRD tests were carried out on certain samples in order to study the surface morphological characteristics, particle size and hydraulic compounds, which were formed. Specimens were cured for 7, 14, and 28 days after which they were tested for unconfined compression tests and split tensile tests and for CBR tests sample were soaked for 4 days. Based on optimum values obtained for cement and rice husk ash, tests were conducted on test specimens prepared from rice husk ash-clayey soil- cement-fiber mixture after 28 days of curing. Based on the favourable results obtained, it can be concluded that the expansive soil can be successfully stabilized by the combined action of fibers, cement, and rice husk ash.