Experimental Investigation of Expansive Soil Stabilization Using Rice Husk Ash and Bagasse Ash

https://doi.org/10.46610/JoRAIS.2026.v011i03.003

Abstract

Expansive soils exhibit significant swelling and shrinkage in response to changes in moisture content, posing serious challenges to the stability and durability of roads, foundations, pavements, and other civil engineering structures. These volume changes can cause cracking, differential settlement, and increased maintenance costs. Conventional stabilization methods often involve lime and cement, which may have considerable environmental impacts. Therefore, utilizing agricultural waste materials as alternative stabilizing agents offers a sustainable approach to improving expansive soil properties. This study investigates the effectiveness of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Bagasse Ash (BA) in stabilizing expansive soil for geotechnical applications. Untreated and ash-treated soil samples will be prepared using selected additive proportions to evaluate the individual and combined effects of these materials. Laboratory investigations will include Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and swelling-related tests. These experiments will assess changes in soil plasticity, optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, bearing capacity, compressive strength, and swelling potential. The results will be comparatively analyzed to determine the influence of additive content on the engineering performance of expansive soil and identify suitable proportions for effective stabilization. The study will also examine the potential benefits of reusing agricultural residues in geotechnical engineering, thereby reducing waste disposal and dependence on conventional stabilizers. The findings are expected to provide useful insights into developing economical, environmentally responsible, and practical soil stabilization techniques for road subgrades, pavement foundations, and other infrastructure projects. Ultimately, this research aims to promote sustainable construction practices while improving the strength, stability, and durability of structures built on expansive soils.