Remediation of expansive soils using mango kernel ash and calcium carbide residue

To improve the properties of expansive soil, investigations were made by studying the suitability of Mango Kernel Ash (MKA). It is an industrial waste and available cheaply, which acts as a stabilising agent for sub-base and base course. In the present study, a series of experimental tests on Atterberg's limits, Compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Free Swell Index (FSI) and Consolidation were conducted on untreated and treated soil samples with different weight propositions of MKA and CCR with 4% in the geotechnical engineering laboratory. The soil properties were changed significantly, by adding MKA and CCR, as a result of reducing plasticity, increasing UCS value and improving soaked CBR value to make the soil more workable. Thus, the addition of MKA and CCR to soils is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional material to reduce the construction cost of low volume and rural roads.