WASTE PRODUCT ‘BAGASSE ASH ’ FROM SUGAR INDUSTRY CAN BE USED AS STABILIZING MATERIAL FOR EXPANSIVE SOILS

Soil is a base of structure, which actually supports the structure from beneath and distributes the load effectively. If the stability of the soil is not adequate then failure of structure occurs in form of settlement, cracks etc. Expansive soil also known as black cotton soil is more responsible for such situations and this is due to presence of montmorillonite mineral in it, which has ability to undergo large swelling and shrinkage. To overcome this, properties of soil must be improved by artificial means known as ‘Soil Stabilization’. It is a technique which improvises one or more soil properties by mechanical, cementing and chemical use. Many research has been conducted for stabilization of soil by using cementing, chemical materials e.g. Fly ash, cement, Calcium chloride, Sodium chloride etc. Toady world is facing serious problem of disposal of agricultural waste. Western Maharashtra is popular for production of sugar cane in large quantity. Sugar factories produces waste after extraction of sugar cane in machines that waste when burnt, the resultant ash is known as ‘Bagasse Ash’. It is a fibrous material with presence of silica (SiO2) and can be used to improve the existing properties of black cotton soil. In this study laboratory experiments were conducted on black cotton soil with partial replacement by Bagasse Ash (3%, 6%, 9 % and 12%). This paper highlights significant increase in properties of black cotton soil obtained at 6