Stabilisation of Black cotton Soils by Using Groundnut Shell Ash

Due to rapid increase in the world�s population there is increased demand for food, and this has resulted in the production of different types of crops and consequently large amounts of agricultural wastes are generated. Hence it is necessary to dispose these agricultural wastes safely on to the environment. On other hand BC soils expands and contracts due to changes in the moisture content of the soil, causing structural problems through differential movement of the structure. This isolated movement of sections of the structure can cause damage to building foundations and cracking in the exterior or interior wall covering leads to uneven floors etc. Also cause severe cracking in pavements, swimming pools, pipelines, sidewalks, highways etc. Hence there is need to stabilize expansive soil. From these discussion we should find out the solution for the above two problems. After studying several research papers it is concluded that agricultural wastes can be used effectively in stabilization of BC soils. This project presents stabilization of BC soils using groundnut shell ash since its production increased to large extent. On addition of groundnut shell ash in increment of 15% from 0to 60% to BC soils different experiments on plasticity characteristics, compaction characteristics, shear strength characteristics are conducted .And found gradual improvement in geotechnical properties of black cotton soils.