International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 06 | Jun 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BLACK COTTON SOIL BY USING ELECTRONIC WASTE AND LIME Dhananjay Bharati1, Mr. Ushendra Kumar2 1Master of Technology, Civil Engineering, Lucknow Institute of Technology, Lucknow, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Lucknow Institute of Technology, Lucknow, India
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Abstract - Black cotton soil (BCS) occurs in form of large
pavements. Black cotton soil has a very low shear strength and high index of plasticity which also makes the construction tough and inappropriate in the development of infrastructure without any stabilization being done. These geotechnical problems need attention in order to support the safety, durability, and functionality of civil engineering structures particularly in those areas where extensive distribution of the BCS is spread.
area and has deplorable engineering characteristics thus it has great challenge in civil construction because of its high shrink-swell potentials and poor load-bearing abilities. To achieve the safety and durability of a specific infrastructure erected on it, such problematic soil needs stabilization. Although the usage of lime is well accepted as a chemical stabilizer, there is a growing argument that promotes the use of unconventional waste materials, such as e-waste, in performing the same task. The research focuses on how lime, e-waste, and a combination of both compare when determining their effect on enhancing geotechnical characteristics of BCS. The constituents were combined together in different proportions and were put into an ordinary laboratory tests such as Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS). The results revealed that ewaste reduced plasticity remarkably and significantly increased the parameters of compaction and strength, particularly in the case when it was used together with lime. The hybrid treatment was also seen to be more stable and this makes it a potential remedy concerning a sustainability aspect in management of soil. Moreover, the recycling of the e-wastes which are not biodegradable has also helped to conserve the environment since it reduces pollution of land fills. This research shows a feasible way of soil stabilization aspect that besides increasing the performance of soil, tackles the serious problem of e-waste disposal as well.
Figure-1: Black cotton soil (BCS)
1.2 Motivation and Sustainability Goals The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a crucial environmental problem, as the level of urbanization and the rise of electronic use and consumption still increase. E-waste are the waste components of electronic items that are nonbiodegradable and may in turn be toxic when disposed carelessly leading to pollution of the soil, water and air. At the same time, such conventional soil stabilizers as cement and lime, despite their effectiveness, are costly to the environment because of carbon emissions and energydemanding production. These two problems, management of large soils and control of e-waste, demand the search of alternatives which are sustainable. Not only the concept of recycling processed electronics waste by using it as a stabilising material is geotechnical application, but also it conforms to the spirit of green construction and circular economy. E-waste use in soil stabilization may curb the impacts of the environment by polluting the environment as well as saving on the cost of the material and providing alternative infrastructure in the black cotton soil problem.
Key Words: Black cotton soil, soil stabilization, electronic waste, lime, expansive soil, geotechnical properties, sustainability, CBR.
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background One of the most troublesome soil in geotechnical engineering is the black cotton soil (BCS) because it is quite expansive and its load capacity is very poor. BCS is mainly, present in the Deccan Plateau of India and other regions, this type of clay possesses high proportion of montmorillonite clays minerals, which reinforce high swell/fine characteristics on wet weather and drastic shrinkage under dry conditions. Such volatile expansion and contraction causes the structures to become unstable and crack thus damaging the foundations, roads and
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