Expansive Soil Stabilization using Geopolymer for Subgrade Applications Utilizing a Blend of Rice Husk Ash, Fly Ash, and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Nimita Gautam, Abhijeet Nardey, Padmanabh Gadge

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I3P109

How to Cite?

Nimita Gautam, Abhijeet Nardey, Padmanabh Gadge, "Expansive Soil Stabilization using Geopolymer for Subgrade Applications Utilizing a Blend of Rice Husk Ash, Fly Ash, and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 93-101, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I3P109

Abstract:

This research investigates the utilization of geopolymer technology for stabilizing expansive soils, with a particular emphasis on BC soil. Further study in the area of geopolymerization encompasses an experimental evaluation of geopolymers synthesized from the blend material, which contains fly ash, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS)to enhance the strength and stability of BC soil. Comprehensive testing revealed that geopolymer-stabilized soils demonstrate superior strength and sustainability characteristics, contributing to the advancement of soil engineering practices. The effects of adding additives play a role in changing the behaviour of BC soil, which is demonstrated by a thorough examination of the time-dependent evolution of structural properties. Interestingly, the modified geopolymer composition led to notable improvements in the properties of BC soil, which tends to increase in the strength (UCS) 8.6 MPa, which is remarkable, a decrease in the Atterberg’s limits found during the testing which results from the Plasticity Index (PI) of 7.31%, Plastic Limit (PL) of 45.14%, and Liquid Limit (LL) of 50.81%. These findings support the possibility that geopolymer stabilisation could be a game-changing strategy for resolving the issues with BC Soil.

Keywords:

Geopolymer, Expansive soil, Fly ash, GGBFS, RHA, Stabilization.

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