Stabilizing Effects of the Combination of Bagasse Ash and Bamboo Fiber on the Strength Properties of Expansive Soil

A wide area of India is covered with expansive soils. Such soil possesses a greater threat to any type of structure. To treat expansive soil with admixtures is mostly expansive. In this present study, the utilization of waste products and their effect on engineering properties of soil is determined. As bagasse ash with more than 70% silica shows cementetious behaviour and is an industrial waste is a replacement for many other expensive admixtures and bamboo fiber which is a natural fiber is used as reinforcement to soil. The combinations of both the products have shown the maximum bearing capacity and shear strength to the soil by performing different tests including Standard proctor test, California bearing ratio and direct shear test. Samples are prepared with different percentages of bagasse ash (3%, 6%, and 9%) to find the maximum optimum value then the tests were performed with optimum value of bagasse ash and bamboo fiber with different percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%). It is found that with 6% of optimum value of bagasse ash and 1% of bamboo fiber, the soil shows the maximum stability for structures.