Faculty Publications

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Effect of pH on the geotechnical properties of laterite
(2006) Sunil, B.M.; Nayak, S.; Shrihari, S.
Environmental Geotechnology has emerged as an interdisciplinary science, aiming and forecasting, analyzing and solving the geotechnical problems involving the influence of environmental factors. Lateritic soil of west coast region of India was studied to investigate the effect of soaking on the engineering properties and chemical characteristics of soil, soaked in different pH solutions (pH = 5.0, pH = 7.0, pH = 8.0). 12 N hydrochloric acid and 15 M ammonia solution were used to monitor the pH of the solution for about ninety days. Results showed that the pH of the solution has strong influence on the chemical characteristics of lateritic soil. The engineering properties of soil are altered when compared with the initial characteristics of the soil. The reason for this observed behavior of the soil is addressed in this paper. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Hydraulic and compaction characteristics of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil
(2007) Nayak, S.; Sunil, B.M.; Shrihari, S.
Large quantities of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil results from dump yards in the southwest coast of India. These dump yards receive large quantities of municipal solid waste which includes chemical, industrial and biomedical wastes. Large areas of land are currently being used for this purpose. An extensive laboratory testing program was carried out to determine the compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivity of clean and contaminated lateritic soil. Batch tests were used to study the immediate effect of leachate contamination on the properties of lateritic soil. Contaminated specimens were prepared by mixing the lateritic soil with leachate in the amount of 5%, 10% and 20% by weight to vary the degree of contamination. The results indicated a small reduction in maximum dry density and an increase in hydraulic conductivity due to leachate-contamination. The change induced by chemical reaction in the microstructure of the soil was studied by scanning electron microscope before and after contamination of soil with leachate. The structure of the leachate contaminated soil sample appeared to be aggregated in scanning electron microscope analysis. The aggregated structure increases the effective pore space and thus increases the hydraulic conductivity. Fifty percent increase in hydraulic conductivity was observed for specimens prepared at standard Proctor density and mixed with 20% leachate. Compaction characteristics did not change much with the presence of leachate up to 10%. With 20% leachate the maximum dry density decreased slightly indicating excess leachate in the soil. However the changes are not significant. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Shear strength characteristics and chemical characteristics of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil
(2009) Sunil, B.M.; Shrihari, S.; Nayak, S.
Leachate is a hazardous liquid and is a major cause of concern in landfills. Numerous environmental problems such as soil and groundwater contamination occur in unlined landfills due to free flow of leachate. Large quantities of leachate-contaminated soils result from open dumping in the study area. These dump yards receive large quantities of municipal solid waste which includes chemical and industrial wastes. Large areas of land are currently being used for this purpose. An extensive laboratory testing program was carried out to determine the properties of clean and contaminated lateritic soils. Laboratory prepared municipal solid waste leachate was used in this study. Contaminated specimens were prepared by mixing the soils with MSW leachate in the increments of 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% by weight to vary the degree of contamination. The results showed that the MSW leachate affects the Atterberg limits, shear strength and chemical characteristics of the lateritic soils. The liquid limit and the plasticity index of the lateritic soils increases with MSW leachate concentration. For specimens tested at the Proctor density, effective cohesion increases and effective friction angle decreases due to increase in leachate concentration. This is attributed due to the increase in clay content of lateritic soil after interaction with the leachate. This led to increase in cohesion parameter and the friction angle decreases. The pH measurements of lateritic soil contaminated with MSW leachate indicated an increase in pH values. This is also accompanied by slight increase in the cation exchange capacity of the soil. The change in chemical characteristics of lateritic soil contributed due to addition of leachate may be detrimental to foundation concrete in real field conditions. The present work deals with an attempt to study the effect of leachate on the Atterberg limits, shear strength properties and chemical characteristics of lateritic soil. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Effect of Drying on the Index Properties of Lateritic Soils
(2012) Sunil, B.M.; Krishnappa, H.
Due to significant variation in geological and climatic conditions the characteristics of lateritic soils vary from place to place. Because of the prevailing climatic conditions, the laterites and lateritic soils of a particular region may be different from those found in other parts of the world. Some investigators report that the pretest drying has significant effect on the properties of soils. In such studies the authors associate the effect of drying on the properties of soils due to the mineralogy of soil. From this context there is a need to investigate the effect of sample preparation on lateritic soils prior to testing. In the present study lateritic soils from different sources in west coast region of India were studied to investigate the effect of drying on their index properties. Due to pretest drying it is observed from the results that there is a significant change in Atterberg limits and other properties of soils tested. These changes are attributed due to aggregation of particles. The observed changes are found to be permanent. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

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