International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 03 | Mar 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
A Comparitative Study on Black Cotton Soil Stabilization Using Xanthan Gum and Coconut Fiber Amina Meeran O.M1, Erfana M.A2, Milan Jaleel3, Parvathy Vijay4 1Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala, India 2Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala, India 3
Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala, India
4Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology, Kerala, India
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Abstract - Black cotton soil is an expansive soil known for
To address the concerns regarding high costs and significant environmental impacts like elevated carbon emissions, an eco-friendly combination of xanthan gum which is a natural biopolymer derived from microbial fermentation and coconut fiber which is a renewable and biodegradable material is used.
its significant swelling and shrinkage properties, posing challenges for lightly loaded structures due to its weak engineering properties. The study examines the stabilization of black cotton soil using eco-friendly additives Xanthan Gum (XG) and Coconut Fiber (CF) to enhance its geotechnical performance. The experimental program included Atterberg's limits, Standard Proctor test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, and Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) test conducted on soil samples treated with varying percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) of Xanthan Gum and Coconut Fiber. Results indicated that the liquid limit and plasticity index decreased while the compaction and strength properties improved significantly. The optimum combination of 0.75% XG and 0.5% CF achieved the highest UCS of 79 kN/m² and improved cohesion to 39.5 kN/m². The CBR value at 5 mm penetration increased to 2.23%, demonstrating enhanced load-bearing capacity. Maximum dry density reduced with increasing XG and CF content due to lighter material incorporation, while the optimum moisture content improved, favouring better soil workability. The research validates the potential of XG and CF as sustainable soil stabilizers, offering a cost-effective solution for improving the engineering properties of expansive soils, ensuring stability in structural foundations.
The main objective of soil stabilization is to improve the strength and stability of the soils and also to lower the construction cost. The stability and bearing capacity of soil depends on shear strength, which is directly proportional to the soil type and conditions. In some situations, the soils which do not have the desired engineering properties will produce satisfactory strength when the additives on soil blend each other. These materials will be more stable and fulfil the desired conditions.
2. OBJECTIVES
To study the general characteristics of the soil.
To study the characteristics of soil with varying percentages of Xanthan Gum and Coconut Fiber.
To compare the test results of black cotton soil and the soil with varying percentages of Xanthan Gum and Coconut Fiber.
Key Words: Black Cotton Soil, Soil Stabilization, Xanthan Gum (XG), Coconut Fiber (CF), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR).
3. METHODOLOGY
1.INTRODUCTION
It involves the collection of materials and standard laboratory tests in the black cotton soil.
Soil is a vital substance used for construction purposes so it is very important to acknowledge the properties and feasibilities of soil before using in any kind of construction process. Many areas in India consist of soils with high clay or silt contents, low strengths and poor bearing capacities. The stabilization of soil is an effective method for improving soil properties and pavement performance. There are many stabilization methods which includes physical, chemical, or polymer, among them using different stabilizing agents, may be effective to improve the soil properties rather than removing and replacing the materials. Availability or financial considerations may also taken as a determining factor on which a stabilizing agent is selected.
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3.1 Materials Used 3.1.1 Black Cotton Soil This soil is also known as regur soil which is characterized by its dark color, high clay content and unique properties such as swelling when wet and shrinking when dry. The expansive and shrinkage behaviors can lead to significant challenges in construction, as they may cause foundation movement and cracking. To improve its performance of stabilization, sustainable materials like xanthan gum and coconut fiber are used.
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