Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil using Lime

The design foundation on black cotton soil (expansive soil) has always been a difficult task for the engineers as the structure resting on black cotton soil cracks without any warning. Black cotton soil is found in M. P. , Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in our country. Soil proportion changes depending upon their constituents, i. e. water content, density, bulk density, angle of friction, shear strength etc. The properties of black cotton soil can be modified by stabilizing the soil can be modified by stabilizing the soil with the use of additives or by mechanical means. In this project an attempt has been made to stabilize the soil using lime. Experimental work has been carried out with 4 % and 6 % of lime content. The experimental work is based on different percentages of lime content in soil on tests for soil Liquid limit, Plastic limit, O. M. C. , M. D. D, Bulk density and Dry density, C. B. R. test, Grain size analysis and Swelling pressure. The aim is to improve the engineering properties of the black cotton soil such that the structure built on this soil can be efficiently withstanding applied loads. It was found that the engineering properties of black cotton soil substantially improved by addition of lime.