Improvement in Soil properties of Expansive Soil by using Copper Slag
Keywords:
Copper slag (C.S.), Black cotton soil (B.C.), OMC, MDD and CBR test, Direct shear testAbstract
In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the copper slag – Black cotton soil mix for use in sub-grade
improvement in pavements. Copper slag is a by-product formed during the copper smelting process and use of waste materials in
construction work has been popular in India. This is particularly necessitated by the problems of disposal associated with it.
Otherwise, these materials would cause problems to the environment. Copper producing units in India leave thousands of tons of
copper slag as waste every day. As the sub-grade improvement of a pavement is the prime concern when it is constructed over the
expansive soil, the stabilization of that expansive soil by the concerning waste material can be referred. A different mix proportion
of copper slag and black cotton soil were prepared. The geotechnical properties of different mixes, namely, un-soaked CBR and
Direct shear strength were determined. The effects of Soil and copper slag on the above geotechnical properties were
investigated. From the present study the 40% Soil+60% copper slag mix was found to be optimum for use for stabilize mix and
also use as sub grade improvement in pavements. This will also help in eliminate the disposal problem of waste.
