A REVIEW OF SOIL STABILIZATION USING POLYPROPYLENE AND WHEAT HUSK FIBER

International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE) ISSN: 2349-2163
Issue 11, Volume 4 (November 2017) www.ijirae.com
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A REVIEW OF SOIL STABILIZATION USING
POLYPROPYLENE AND WHEAT HUSK FIBER
HIMANSHU GUPTA,
M.Tech Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering,
IPS College of Technology and Management, Gwalior (M.P.) INDIA
MANOJ SHARMA,
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
(Dr.) ASHUTOSH S. TRIVEDI
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Manuscript History
Number: IJIRAE/RS/Vol.04/Issue11/NVCAE10081
DOI: 10.26562/IJIRAE.2017.NVAE10081
Received: 25, October 2017
Final Correction: 03, November 2017
Final Accepted: 10, November 2017
Published: November 2017
Editor: Dr.A.Arul L.S, Chief Editor, IJIRAE, AM Publications, India
Citation: GUPTA, H., SHARMA, M. & TRIVEDI, (D. A. S. (2017). A REVIEW OF SOIL STABILIZATION USING
POLYPROPYLENE AND WHEAT HUSK FIBER. Master thesis published IJIRAE, Department of Civil Engineering,
Copyright: ©2017 This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License, Which Permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author
and source are credited.
Abstract - Soil is extremely complex, heterogeneous substance which has been subjected to varieties of nature.
Properties of soil do not change only with location to location but also with respect to depth, climate and drainage
condition of soil. Soil stabilization is the process by which strength properties of soil can be improved with the use
of adding some materials like polypropylene, wheat husk fiber, copper slag etc. There is a rapid increase in waste
quantity of plastic fibers, if this waste can be utilize for stabilization of soil than problem of solid waste can be
resolve and also cost of soil stabilization can be reduced. This study presented a review of literature on soil
stabilization using polypropylene and wheat husk fiber.
Keyword - Soil Stabilization, Polypropylene, Wheat Husk Fiber, etc.
I.INTRODUCTION
Foundation is very important part of any civil engineering construction work. Load of any structure is ultimately
taken by foundation, hence it is very necessary to prepare a sufficient strong base for any structure. Bottom most
portion of structure is consist of natural earth surface, this earth surface is known as soil. For successfully transfer
of load of structure on the soil it is necessary to prepare soil with desirable bearing capacity, also it is not possible
every time to get soil having sufficient strength at every place. Process of increasing strength of soil by artificial
process is known as stabilization of soil. The process of soil stabilization refers to changing the physical properties
of soil in order to improve its strength, durability, or other qualities. Soil stabilization is important for road
construction, and other concerns related to the building and maintenance of infrastructure. Stabilization of soil is
carried out by adding lime, coconut coir, fly ash, plastic fiber etc. with the soil.

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Polypropylene fiber is a textile or cloth is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibers.
This study gives a review of literature on soil stabilization using polypropylene and wheat husk fiber.
II. PROBLEM RELATED TO SOIL
Problems occurring with existing soils are that which encountered by geotechnical engineers. They are considered
as a high natural hazardous, which can cause extensive damage to structures such as foundations, roads, highways,
building, airport runways and earth dams if not adequately treated. Damage caused by expansive soils exceeds the
combined average annual damage from floods, cyclone and earthquake. Some remedial measures can be taken to
prevent the damages. These are exchanging the soil under the foundation with the other soil, controlled
compaction of expansive soil, moisturizing, structure of moisture barriers, lime stabilization and cement
stabilization, modification of the structure and lowering the foundations from upper layer to the lower level.
III.REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR ABOVE DISCUSSED PROBLEM
Soil Stabilization is the process of making something physically more secure or stable. Soil stabilization is process
of blending and mixing material with a soil to improve certain properties of the soil. The process may include the
blending of soils to achieve a desired gradation or the mixing of additive that change the properties of soil.
IV. CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES
Soil stabilizations are classified on the method of stabilization.
A. Mechanical stabilization - The old method of stabilization is mechanical in nature. Mechanical methods
involve physically changing the property of the soil, in order to affect its grade, proportion, and other
characteristics. Portable compaction is one of the major types of soil stabilization; in this procedure a heavy
weight is put repeatedly onto the ground at regular intervals. Vibrating compaction is another useful
technique that works on similar principles; it removes voids between the soil particles by vibrator.
B. Chemical stabilization - Chemical methods are the methods which use chemicals to increase the strength of
soil. Chemicals are used to change the proportion of soil particle. All of these techniques rely on adding an
additional material to the soil that will physically interact with it and change its properties. There are a
number of different chemicals that utilize cement, lime, fly ash, or kiln dust for soil improvement.
C. Soil stabilization by using polymer - Researchers invent some innovative techniques for soil stabilization
like using polymer, wheat husk fiber and polypropylene etc. These new polymers and substances have a
number of important benefits over traditional mechanical and chemical solutions; they are economic and
more effective in general than mechanical methods, and significantly less dangerous for the environment than
many chemical tend to be.
V. POLYPROPYLENE
Polypropylene (PP) also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications
including packing, it is widely use in ready mix concreate and it is easily available in india and other country.
According to global market report production of polypropylene since 2013, is 55 million tonnes. In synthetic fiber
polypropylene is the world’s second widely product after polythylene. In chemically, polypropylene is denoted is
(C3H6).
A. Benefits of Polypropylene Fibers
1. Polypropylene (pp) is a lightweight fiber; it has density of 0.91 gm/cm³.
2. Polypropylene average diameter approx is 0.034 mm
3. Its average length is 12 mm
4. It does not absorb water. It presents that it has good resistance towards water absorb.
5. Polypropylene has excellent chemical resistance. PP fibers are very resistant to most acids and alkalis.
6. The thermal conductivity of this fiber is lower than that of other fibers.
B. Draw backs of Polypropylene Fibers
1. It has low melting temperature.
2. It has high creeping rate.
VI. WHEAT HUSK FIBER
Wheat is the most common and important human food grain and ranks second in total production as a cereal crop.
Wheat grain is a staple food used to make flour for leavened, flat and steamed breads etc., wheat husk fiber is waste
of crop of wheat, which is escaped out while getting grain from crop. Wheat straw ash is a agricultural waste which
obtained from burning wheat straw.

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When crops of wheat is cut then straw is remain in the ground itself, this straw is a complete waste. But now days
by burning these straw its ash can replace by cement. Much literature is not available on wheat straw ash but it
completely shows that it posses pozzolanic properties.
The increase in the number of concrete types requires the use of new materials and technologies. Because of this
fact, the types and quantities of cement production have been increased all over the world. To improve the
properties and durability of concrete economically, the minerals having pozzolanic properties are also mixed with
cement in concrete production. In addition to the natural pozzolanic materials, the industrial wastes (for example
fly ash, slag blast furnace, and silica-fume) are also used as pozzolanic material. Some experimental studies are
done to produce pozzolanic material from agricultural products. Pozzolanic materials are added to clinker during
the production stage of cement or to cement for production of concrete. Pozzolanic materials are added to cement
to fix the free lime released by clinker silicates during their hydration. This causes free lime to become insoluble in
water, making the cement highly resistant to environmental effects. When a part of cement is replaced with
pozzolanic material, the plasticity of concrete increases and the hydration heat of cement is reduced The amount of
free lime combined by pozzolanic material is an indication of its pozzolanic property. This property depends
greatly on the specific surface area of pozzolana. Other factors affecting the pozzolanic properties are amorphous
SiO2 or Al2O3 and SiO2 content in the glassy or zeolitic phase. Pozzolanic materials are acidic type, therefore they
are not soluble in water and oxides, except HF. Pozzolanic materials are of two types: natural and artificial. Natural
pozzolana consists of clays and sedimentary schists, opals and volcanic tuffs, and pumicite stones. They are found
in certain places worldwide. Chemical composition and activity of pozzolana differ according to their locations.
Specific gravity changes between 2000 and 2200 kg/m3.
Natural pozzolana is calcined in order to decompose carbonates to oxides. Artificial pozzolana consists of calcined
clay and some industrial wastes such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume. It contains SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, and
other oxides. The amount of SiO2 determines the activity of pozzolana. Industrial wastes are used to produce
industrial pozzolana. Slag obtained from iron and steel industry, fly ash that is a by-product from coal-fired power
stations, silica fume obtained from Si metal alloys, and ash obtained from other sources are such products. In
addition to these, although not common, rice hull, wheat straw, and hazel nut shell are used as pozzolanic
materials. The following information concerns wheat straw as a pozzolanic material.Production of pozzolana from
agricultural wastes is, Plants obtain various minerals and silicates from earth in their bodies during growth
process. Inorganic materials, especially silicates, are found in higher proportions in annually grown plants than in
the long-lived trees. Rice, wheat, sunflower, and tobacco plants therefore contain higher amounts of silica in their
cuticle parts. Inorganic materials are found in the forms of free salts and particles of cationic groups combined with
the anionic groups of the fibers into such plants the burning of organic materials, production of new crystalline
phases, or crystallization of amorphous material are exothermic processes that lead to ash production and loss in
the total weight. The result of burning organic materials is called thermal decomposition. The ash produced in this
way is ground to a fine size and mixed with lime in order to obtain a material with a binding characteristic. The
quality of this material depends on burning time, temperature, cooling time, and grinding conditions.

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VI. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Following are the literature presented related to soil stabilization using polypropylene and wheat husk fiber. This
review presented in two parts, first part contains review of soil stabilization using polypropylene and second part
contains review of soil stabilization using wheat husk fiber.
1. Jesna Varghese, Remya.U. R (2016), et al Indicated that reinforced soil with fiber has following properties-
The relationship between optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of soil significantly affected by the
addition of polypropylene fiber. During the study, MDD increases with decreasing OMC. From unconfined
compressive test, it was observed that the unconfined compressive strength value of untreated soil was found to be
15.1 KN/m2 and the strength value increased with increase in addition of polypropylene fiber up to 0.05% and
then decreases. There is an increase of strength of about 454.37%.That may be due to increase in interfacial shear
strength at 0.05 %.For higher amount of polypropylene fibre it shows reverse trend. The strength is increased in
low percentage of PPF addition, it ensures more economical in construction. So finally it was concluded that the
polypropylene fiber can potentially stabilize the clayey soil.
2. N. Vijaya Kumar et al (2014), reported that Wear loss and coefficient of friction of slag composites decreases
with the increase in normal loads. Wear loss and coefficient of friction increases with the increase in sliding
velocities. The stick-on disc wear testing machine has been used to study the friction and wear behavior of the
polymer composites. The wear loss and coefficient of friction are plotted against the normal loads and sliding
speeds. It is noted from the graphical representation of the result that with the increase in load weight loss
decreases and increase in sliding velocity weight loss also increases.
Andrzej K. Bledzki Reported that the feasibility of utilizing of grain by-products such as wheat husk and rye husk
as alternative fillers for soft wood fibre as reinforcement in for composites material. Following conclusions are
drawn from their study.
 Wheat husk thermally stable as low as 235 degree celcius.
 Structural proportions (cellulose, starch) contained by wheat husk are 45% on the other hand 42%
contained by soft wood.
 More carbon rich surface was observed for wheat husk compared to soft wood fibre.
 Wheat husk contained more surface silicon than soft wood fibre.
 Wheat husk composites showed 15% better Charpy impact strength than soft wood composites.
3. Mona Malekzadeh and HuriyeBilsel (2012), Reported that optimum water content is not influenced by
polypropylene fiber inclusion, whereas maximum dry density has been reduced. This can be attributed to the
reduction of average unit weight of solids in the soil-fiber mixture.
Studying the influence of polypropylene fiber on swell characteristics, the overall conclusion is that one-
dimensional swell decreases considerably with 1% fiber addition. Unconfined compressive strength increases with
polypropylene fiber inclusions. Maximum value of cohesion can be observed with 1% fiber content which is
approximately 1.5 times of the unreinforced soil. From the analysis of split tensile strength test, it is observed that
the maximum value of the tensile strength obtained for 1% fiber inclusion is 2.7 times of the unreinforced soil.

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Increase in the ratio of tensile strength to compressive strength indicates that polypropylene fiber reinforcement is
more effective in improving tensile than the compressive strength. Thus fiber enhances the ductile behavior of
soils, reducing shrinkage settlements during desiccation, hence detrimental damages to structures, such as roads
and pavements may be prevented.
4. Pramod S. Patil, Disposal of plastic waste in an environment is considered to be a big problem due to its very
low biodegradability and presence in large quantities, In recent time use of such, Industrial wastes from
polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were studied as alternative replacements of a part of the
conventional aggregates of concrete. Plastic recycling was taking position on a significant scale in an India, The test
conducted on material like Cement, Sand, Conventional aggregate having all the results within permissible limit as
per IS codes. The modified concrete mix, with addition of plastic aggregate replacing conventional aggregate up to
certain 20% gives strength with in permissible limit. Modified concrete casted using plastic aggregate as a partial
replacement to coarse aggregate shows 10 % it could be satisfy as per IS codes. Density of concrete is reducing
after 20% replacement of coarse aggregates in a concrete.
5. A. S. Soganc (2015) , The inclusion of fiber within unreinforced and reinforced soil caused an increase in the
unconfined compressive strength of expansive soil. Increasing fiber content had increased the peak axial stress and
decrease the loss of post-peak strength. For example, unconfined compression strength increased from 202 MPa to
285 MPa for samples reinforced with 1% fiber. The fiber reinforced soil exhibits more ductile behavior than
unreinforced soil. Swell percent was reduced as the fiber increased. One dimensional swell decreased considerably
with 1% fiber addition. For example it decreased from 11.60% for unreinforced samples to about 5.3% for
reinforced samples with 1% fiber.
6. Mr. Santosh and Prof. Vishwanath C.S. (2015) , Reported that Addition of different % of Wheat Husk Ash
(WHA) the water content decrease up to a limit afterwards again it increases. This is more effective for addition of
9% (optimum) WHA. Addition of different % of WHA the dry density increases up to a limit afterwards again it
decreases. This is more effective for addition of 9% (optimum) WHA. The stress against different days for varying
% WHA, for varying % of WHA, as number of day’s increases stress also increases. This is more effective for 7days.
VIII. CONCLUSIONS
The review of literature indicate that polypropylene and wheat husk fiber is a versatile material with attractive
properties and advantages, as a result of this polypropylene is now being used widely all over the world. Waste
fibers or plastics have durability, high strength, economic, and also they are non-biodegradable, therefore, may be
used for the stabilisation of soil. The use of waste fibers or plastics will results in increasing the solution against the
disposal of wastes.
REFERENCES
1. A. S. Soganc “The Effect of Polypropylene Fiber in the Stabilization of Expansive Soils” World Academy of
Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Environmental, Chemical, Ecological, Geological
and Geophysical Engineering Vol:9, No:8, 2015
2. Chaosheng Tang, Bin Shi, Wei Gao, Fengjun Chen, Yi Cai, “Strength and mechanical behaviour of short
polypropylene fibre reinforced and cement stabilized clayey soil” Geotextiles and Geomembranes, pp 194 –
202, 2006.
3. Jesna Varghese, Remya.U. R , et al., “The Effect of Polypropylene Fibre on the Behaviour of Soil Mass with
Reference to the Strength Parameters” Vol. 5 Issue 03, March-2016 International Journal of Engineering
Research & Technology (IJERT), ISSN: 2278-0181
4. Mona Malekzadeh and HuriyeBilsel, Effect of Polypropylene Fiber of Mechanical Behaviour of Expansive
Soils,EJGE,Vol. 17 [2012], Bund. A
5. Mr. Santosh and Prof. Vishwanath C.S. “Stabilization of Expansive Soil by using Wheat Husk Ash and
Granulated Blast Furnace Slag” IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol. 3,
Issue 04, 2015 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613
6. N. Vijaya Kumar, M.M.M.Sarcar, K. Ramji and, V.Geetha “Evaluation of wear properties of industrial waste
(Slag) reinforced polypropylene composites” International Journal on Theoretical and Applied Research in
Mechanical Engineering (IJTARME), ISSN (Print): 2319-3182, Volume -3, Issue-1, January, 2014
7. Pramod S. Patil, J.R. Mali, Ganesh V. Tapkire, H. R. Kumavat, “Innovative techniques of waste plastic used in
concrete mixture” International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology,volume-3, issue-9 e-ISSN:
2319-1163, p-ISSN: 2321-7308.
8. Robert M. Brooks (2009) entiteled “soil stabilization with fly ash and rice husk ash” (ISSN: 2076-734X,
EISSN:2076-7366 VOLUME 1.

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9. D. Koteswar Ro et.al(2004),the performance studies on geogrid as einforcement in the flexible pavement
construction,Iigc-2004
10. D.Koteswar Rao et.al(2011), stabilization of expansive soil with rice husk ash,lime and gypsum –an
experimental study ,IJEST,Vol.3,No.11, november 2011.
11. N K Bhasin ,N K Goswami , P Oli, N Krishan and N B Lal (1988),” A Laboratory study on utilization of waste
material for the construction of roads in black cotton soil areas”, high way research bulle-tin, No.36, pp. 1-11.
12. S.Chandra, S Kumar and R K Anand (2005), “soil stabilization with rice husk ash and lime sludge:, Indian
Highways, Vol.33, No.5, Pp. 87-98.
13. Sabyasachibiswas and Arghadeep Biswas (2012) entiteled “utilization of Rice Husk with Lime on Sub grade
Soil for a Rural Road” ( International conference in emerging Frontiers in Technology for Rural Area (EFITRA)
2012 Proceedings published in international journal of computer Application
14. LaxmikantYadu et.al (2011) entiteled “comparison of Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash Stabilized Black Cotton Soil “
(ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 04)
15. O.Okafor and Ugochukwu N. Okonkwo , Effect of rice husk ash on some Geotechnical properties of soil field.
Leanardo electronic journal of practices and technologies, issue 15, July-December (2009), pp 67-74.
16. B.Suneel Kumar &T.V.Preeti, “Behavior of clayey Soil Stabilized with Rice Husk Ash & Lime” , International
journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), Volume-11 No.1 ,May 2014.
17. DilipShrivastva, A K Singhal and R K Yadav, “Effect of lime and rice husk ash on engineering properties of black
cotton soil” , International journal of Engg. Research & Science & Technology ,2014.
18. D.Koteswar Rao et.al(2012) , AA Laboratory study on the effect of rice husk ash and potassium chloride for the
stabilization of exoansive soil, IJEST , Vol.4, No.01,january 2012.
19. A.K.Sabat (2012), “Utilization of Bagasse Ash nd Lime Sludge for Construction of Flexible Pavement in
Expansive Soil Ares” ,Electronic Journal of Geo-technical Engineering , Vol.17, Bund.H, pp.1037-1046.

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