AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MODIFICATION OF GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANSIVE SOIL THROUGH INORGANIC CHEMICALS

Construction of foundation and other civil engineering structures on weak or soft soil involves risk due to the susceptibility of high compressive and poor shear strength. In the constructions of foundation on soft soils, the subsoil needs to have adequate bearing capacity and shear strength to prevent unnecessary differential settlements and shear failure of the substructure. If the bearing capacity and shear strength is insufficient, it can be increased by replacing good soil in place of bad soil, which involves high financial aspects or improve the properties of existing soil by ground improvement techniques. There are several techniques available to improve the soil properties. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to study the effect of the chemicals like Sodium Carbonate (Na2C03), Calcium Carbonate (CaC03), on the geotechnical properties of an expansive soil. 1.25% amount of Sodium Carbonate (Na2C03) and Calcium Carbonate (CaC03) is found effective in reducing the plasticity characteristics to a certain extent in the tested range when mixed with soil. The pH values of soil admixed with Sodium Carbonate (Na2C03) and Calcium Carbonate (CaC03) is also higher than that of the untreated soil.