Characterization of Eggshell and Natural Chloride Stabilized Soil Using Geophysical Techniques

Abstract

Although many techniques are available for the evaluation of soil parameters, but a quick and efficient method is always welcome. To avoid the hassle calculation and tedious procedures of testing; practitioners seek a fast method for site implementation of laboratory results. In the recent era of development and technology, it has been necessary to adopt the advanced techniques to evaluate the geotechnical parameters. In the present study, correlations between geophysical and compaction tests results have been derived. Eggshell powder (ESP), a waste material along with sodium chloride (NaCl) and polypropylene fiber (PPF) was used to stabilize the soil. Design of experiments was done by Taguchi technique using Minitab 17 software. A series of non-destructive geophysical tests i.e., Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and Electrical resistivity (Re) tests was carried out on 21 days aged soil specimens. Not only software based analytical results showed ESP as the dominating factor for attaining improvement in packing of soil particles and make soil resistive but also the results confirmed the same. UPV of the stabilized soil was found increased up to 69%-122% with respect to an increase in dry density of about 1.16%-1.74%. The utility of the present study can be found in places where dense soil and electric resistive properties meets such as transmission lines and railway electric poles etc. and for the purpose seismic and resistivity mapping methods can be used