Laboratory Investigation of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Arecanut Coir Along with Cement and Its Suitability as a Modified Subgrade

Abstract

If a pavement is constructed on weak soil, its lifespan drastically reduces due to the low strength induced by moisture-induced destresses. Such soils may undergo considerable changes in volume. In order to modify these properties, soil stabilization can be done. By stabilizing the soil along with the improvement in strength, its durability can be increased. Stabilization may be of chemical or mechanical type. In this investigation, lateritic soil was stabilized using 0.2–1% arecanut coir, and its compaction characteristics were evaluated. The lateritic soil is found to be nondurable. The reinforcement alone could not improve the strength and durability effectively. Therefore, 3% binding agent ordinary Portland cement (43 grade) was added to the mix. Due to cement stabilization, UCS and CBR values were improved, and the optimum values were observed at 0.6% arecanut coir dosage. The addition of cement has resulted in a change in silica, alumina, and calcium oxide contents, thereby contributing to the formation of hydration products. The samples with 1% coir and cement have completed 12 wet–dry cycles, but the weight loss observed was >14%. All the specimens showed low soil loss under freeze–thaw cycles. The performance of cured specimens under fatigue loading was satisfactory. Since the specimens could not pass wet–dry durability criteria, they can be considered for modified subgrade. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.