The Effect of Polypropylene Wastes on Engineering Properties of Local Soil of Pantnagar, India (29.0222? N, 79.4908? E)

In Terai region of India soft soils are found in abundance, these soft soils are not suitable for civil engineering projects as the stability and strength of these soils vanishes. Thus, these soils will be either replaced by soils suitable for construction, or will be improved by stabilization. The long-term performance of any construction project depends on the soundness of the underlying soils. Soil stabilization process can be applied either mechanically or chemically. This paper presents an analysis of local soil of Pantnagar, India (29.0222? N, 79.4908? E) and an experimental investigation of stabilization of this location's clayey soil using polypropylene waste fiber (PPWF). The effect of PPWF on the physical and engineering properties of the local soil has been studied by conducting Atterberg limits, compaction parameters, California bearing ratio and unconfined compressive strength testing after 7 days curing. Different percentages of PPWF were added (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1%), by the dry weight of the soft soil. The results indicated that the PPWF has a positive impact on the engineering and physical properties of soft soil. Additionally, it can be recommended that addition of PPWF in an optimum amount reduced the plasticity index (PI), increased the maximum dry density (MDD) and decreased the optimum moisture content (OMC), thus improving the compressive strength within 7 days curing.