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THESIS ABSTRACT

Laboratory Investigation of Weak Subgrade Soil Modified with Cement Kiln Dust and Quarry Stone Dust as Stabilizer

Laboratory Investigation of Weak Subgrade Soil Modified with Cement Kiln Dust and Quarry Stone Dust as Stabilizer

Student: Abindra Basnet

Supervisor: Er. Gopal Gautam

Submitted Date: July, 2024

Abstract

Construction of pavements on weak subgrade is unavoidable due to several constraints. The subgrade materials do not always meet the requirements and may require improvements to their engineering properties which may accomplished either by stabilization. As per Standard Specification for Road and Bridge Works, 2022, the subgrade material should possess particle size not more than 60 mm; Organic matter less than 3%; swell less than 1%; PI less than 40% and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) not less than 5% under 96 hours-soaked condition compacted to 95% Maximum Dry Density. The type of soil which doesn’t non-comply the requirement set forth is considered as “Weak soil”. This research deals with application of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) and Quarry Stone Dust (QSD) as stabilizer to improve CBR of the weak subgrade soil. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the Particle size distribution, Atterberg’s limit, Compaction Characteristics, CBR and Unconfined compression strength test and Permeability test of nine test specimens prepared by admixing different combination of CKD (5%, 10% and 15%) and QSD (10%, 15%, and 20%) with 5% increment by dry weight. It is observed that CBR value increases with increment of CKD and QSD dosage. Percentage increase in CBR was noticed 78.25% in least and 401.23% in maximum for S1 (5% CKD & 10% QSD) and S9 (15% CKD & 20% QSD) respectively. Hence, CKD and QSD could be considered as the effective stabilizer and S9 can be considered as the best combination viewing the strength parameter as for the combination maximum CBR value was noticed. Among the nine combinations, two combinations fail to comply the strength requirement and thus among the seven combinations maximum cost for preparing subgrade using S9 combination have the highest cost i.e. NRs.726,786.49, while the least was for S3 combination which was substantially less than that of preparing subgrade by replacing the existing weak soil. Hence, regarding the strength parameter S9 combination can be considered is best combination but not economical one.

Keywords

Cement Kiln Dust, Quarry Stone Dust, Unsoaked CBR, Subgrade Soil