Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: In the present study, recycled plastic granules that are available as a raw material to plastic industries are utilized to investigate their role in influencing the shear strength and stiffness parameters of the clayey soil. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Undrained Tri-axial tests are performed on various samples of clayey soil that are partially replaced with recycled plastic granules at different percentages (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5%) by the weight of dry soil. Findings: Plastics contribute major portion of waste generated by human civilization. As these materials are non-biodegradable, they have considerable life and huge potential in providing solutions to complex engineering problems. In geotechnical engineering applications, researchers are motivated to use plastic wastes either as an alternative to or as a partial replacement of the conventional materials. The experimental results have clearly shown a significant improvement in the shear strength parameter cohesion (c) parameter although there was some compromise on the other parameter angle of internal friction (φ) of the soil – plastic granules mixtures. Application/Improvements: Bearing capacity and slope stability can be improved by adding plastic granules in clayey soil. 1. Introduction Geotechnical engineering problems, such as, bearing capacity of shallow footing, stability of slopes or embankments, etc., are dependent up on the shear strength parameters of the soil, i.e., cohesion (c) and angle of internal friction (φ) and thus the improvement in shear strength of soil requires improvement in these parameters. Researchers suggest different approaches and techniques for improving the engineering properties of soil through various ground improvement methods available in literature1–4. In recent years, use of plastic waste in geotechnical engineering applications has gained considerable popularity and provided many useful practical solutions to the unending engineering.
Keywords: Plastic Granules, Stiffness, Strength, Tri-Axial Test