DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY STRENGTH OF LIME STABILIZED EXPANSIVE SOIL: EFFECT OF RED MUD AND EGG SHELL ASH

The present study evaluated the effect of two solid wastes, Red Mud (RM) and Egg Shell Ash (ESA), in the enhancement of early strength of lime stabilized soil. Quick strength development is significant in highway projects longer wherein curing periods may lead to delay in completion of the work. In order to study the influence of the two waste materials, they were admixed with two lime contents chosen for stabilization of an expansive soil and their unconfined compressive strengths were evaluated over three curing periods of 0 (2 hours), 3 and 7 days of curing. The test samples were prepared in a split mould of 38 mm x 76 mm at a fixed density and moisture content. The results of the test revealed that ESA performed better that RM in enhancing the early strength of lime stabilized soil. ESA produced significant strength gain at low lime content and noteworthy gain at higher lime content whereas RM could produce only marginal strength gain at low lime content but noteworthy strength gain at higher lime content.