Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Application of lignosulphonate—a sustainable approach towards strength improvement and swell management of expansive soils

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Long-term material dependency on natural resources has caused a heavy toll on the environment and biodiversity of natural systems. To explore the effectiveness of the usage of unconventional materials in geotechnical applications, an attempt is made towards the application of calcium lignosulphonate, a by-product of the paper industry in soil stabilization techniques in the place of conventional additives such as lime, cement and fly ash. These materials can harm the environment and also increase the carbon footprint due to emissions during their production. The present study focuses on stabilizing a potential expansive soil by using lignosulphonate (LS) in proportions ranging from 0.5% to 3% and 6%. The strength and swell parameters of treated and untreated soil are evaluated under curing periods ranging from 0 to 28 days. The strength aspects of the soil-lignosulphonate composites are evaluated under different moisture states and also after allowing a longer interaction period between LS and soil through the pre-compaction mellowing process. The interaction mechanism is also substantiated with microstructural studies. An average strength improvement of the order of 2 is depicted by the treated soil for an optimum LS content of 1.5%. The treated soil also showed a considerable decrease in swell potential and swell pressure, than untreated soil. The manuscript primarily focuses on the behaviour of LS-amended expansive soil in terms of strength and swelling characteristics and the technique to augment the interaction mechanism of the LS-soil composites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References  

  • Abdullah WS, Alshibli KA, Al-Zou’bi MS, (1999) Influence of pore water chemistry on the swelling behavior of com- pacted clays. Appl Clay Sci 15(5):447–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mukhtar M, Lasledj A, Alcover J-F (2010) Behaviour and mineralogy changes in lime-treated expansive soil at 20 °C. Appl Clay Sci 50(2):191–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2010.07.023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mukhtar M, Khattab S, Alcover J-F (2012) Microstructure and geotechnical properties of lime-treated expansive clayey soil. Eng Geol 139–140:17–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell FG (1988) Stabilisation and treatment of clay soils with lime part 1 - basic principles. Ground Eng 21(1):10–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhuvaneshwari S, Robinson RG, Gandhi SR (2014) Behaviour of lime treated cured expansive soil composites. Indian Geotechnical Journal 44(3):278–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowders JJ Jr, Daniel DE (1987) Hydraulic conductivity of compacted clay to dilute organic chemicals. J Geotech Eng 113(12):1432–1448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceylan H, Gopalakrishnan K, Kim S (2010) Soil stabilization with bioenergy coproduct. J Transp Res Board 2186:130–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chavali RVP, Reshmarani B (2020) Characterization of expansive soils treated with lignosulphonate. Int J Geotech Eng 11(1):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B (2004) Polymer–clay nanocomposites: an overview with emphasis on interaction mechanisms. Br Ceram Trans 103(6):241–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clare KE, Cruchley AE (1957) Laboratory experiments in the stabilization of clays with hydrated lime. Géotechnique 7(2):97–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirel T, Davidson DT (1960) Stabilization of calcareous loess with calcium lignosulfonate and aluminum sulfate. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 67(1):290–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamond S, Kinter EB (1965) Mechanisms of soil-lime stabilization. Transp Res Rec 92:83–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghobadi MH, Abdilor Y, Babazadeh R (2014) Stabilization of clay soils using lime and effect of pH variations on shear strength parameters. Bull Eng Geol Env 73(2):611–619

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gow AJ, Davidson DT, Sheeler JB (1961) Relative effects of chlorides, lignosulfonates and molasses on properties of a soil-aggregate mix. Highw Res Board Bul 282:66–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Greaves HM (1996) an introduction to lime stabilisation. In Proc. of a seminar on Lime Stabilisation Rogers CDF, Glendinning S. and Dixon N. (eds.), Loughborough University, UK, 5–10

  • Harris P, Holdt JV, Sebesta S, Scullion T (2005) Recommendations for stabilization of high-sulfate soils in Texas. FHWA/TX-06/0–4240–3. Austin, TX: Texas DOT

  • Hausmann MR (1990) Engineering principles of ground modification. McGraw-Hill, New York, United States

    Google Scholar 

  • IS 1498 (1970) Classification and identification of soils for general engineering purposes [CED 43: Soil 19 and Foundation Engineering]

  • IS 2720 (1989) Compendium of Indian standards on soil engineering. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi

  • IS 2720 Part 5 (1975) Methods of tests for soil part 5. Determination of liquid limit and plastic limit

  • IS 2720 Part 10 (1991) Methods of test for soils, Part 10. Determination of unconfined compressive strength [CED 43: Soil and Foundation Engineering]

  • IS 2720 Part 40 (1977) Indian standard code of practice for method of test for soils Part 40. Determination of free swell index of soils

  • IS 2720 Part 41 (1977) Indian standard code of practice for method of test for soils Part 41. Measurement of swelling pressure of soils

  • Kamm B, Kamm M (2004) Principles of biorefineries. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 64(2):137–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kezdi A (1979) Stabilized Earth roads. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim HJ, Lee S, Kim J, Mitchell RJ, Lee JH (2013) Environmentally friendly pretreatment of plant biomass by planetary and attrition milling. Biores Technol 144:50–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lignin Institute (2008) http://www.lignin.org/01augdialogue.html

  • Lora JH, Glasser WG (2002) Recent industrial applications of lignin: a sustainable alternative to nonrenewable materials. J Polym Environ 10 -66(1/2)

  • Meister JJ (2002) Modification of lignin. Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C: Polym Rev 42(2):235–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mindess S, Young JF, Darwin D (2003) Concrete 2nd edition. Technical Documents: 644

  • Mitchell JK (1976) The properties of cement stabilized soils. Proceeding of Residential workshop on materials and methods for low cost road, rail and reclamation works, Australia.

  • Mitchell JK, Soga K (2005) Fundamentals of soil behaviour. John Wiley & Sons Inc, Hoboken, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls RL, Davidson DT (1958) Polyacids and lignin used with large organic cations for soil stabilization. Highway Research Board Proceedings 37:517–537

    Google Scholar 

  • Noorzad R, Tanegonbadi B (2020) Volume change behaviour of stabilized expansive clay with lignosulphonate. Sci Iran 27(4):1762–1775

    Google Scholar 

  • Osinubi KJ, Nwaiwu CMO (2006) Compaction delay effects on properties of lime-treated soil. J Mater Civ Eng 18(2):250–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer JT, Edgar TV, Boresi AP (1995) Strength and density modification of unpaved road soils due to chemical additives. Mountain–Plains Consortium, Report No. 95–39, Fargo, ND

  • Puppala AJ, Mohammad LN, Allen A (1996) Engineering behavior of lime-treated Louisiana subgrade soil. Transp Res Rec 1546(1):24–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkanen KV, Ludwig CH (1971) Lignins: occurrence, formation, structure, and reactions. John Wiley & Sons Inc, Newyork

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholen DE, Coghlan S (1990) Non-standard stabilization of aggregate road surfaces. Transportation Research Record

  • Sherwood P (1993) Soil stabilization with cement and lime. State of the Art Review Transport London Research Laboratory, HMSO

  • Sinha SP, Davidson DT, Hoover JM (1957) Lignins as stabilizing agents for North eastern Iowa loess. Proc Iowa Acad Sci 64(1):314–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Soltani A, Taheri A, Khatibi M, Estabragh AR (2017) Swelling potential of a stabilized expansive soil: a comparative experimental study. Geotech Geol Eng 35(4):1717–1744

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan A (2000) Classification procedures for expansive soils. Proc Inst Civ Eng Geotech Eng 143:235–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan A, Gurtug Y (2004) Swelling behaviour of compacted fine-grained soils. Eng Geol 72(1–2):9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan A, Sivapullaiah PV (2005) Mini compaction test apparatus for fine grained soils. Geotech Test J 28(3):240–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Srombom RD (1987) Maintenance of aggregate and earth roads. Department of Transportation Olympia, Washington Report No. WA-RD 144.1

  • Talluri N, Puppala A, Chittoori B, Gaily A, Harris P (2013) Stabilization of high-sulfate soils by extended mellowing. Transp Res Rec 2363(1):96–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talluri N, Puppala AJ, Surya SC, Banerjee A (2020) Experimental studies and modeling of high-sulfate soil stabilization. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tingle JS, Santori RL (2003) Stabilisation of clay soils with non-traditional additives. Transp Res Rec 1819:72–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinod JS, Indraratna B, Mahamud MAA (2010) Stabilisation of an erodible soil using a chemical admixture. Proc Inst Civ Eng Ground Improv 163(1):43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West G (1959) A laboratory investigation into the effects of elapsed time after mixing on the compaction and strength of soil-cement. Geo technique 9(1):22–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Cai G, Liu S, Puppala AJ (2016) Engineering properties and microstructural characteristics of foundation silt stabilized by lignin-based industrial by-product. KSCE J Civ Eng 20(7):2725–2736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Cai G, Liu S (2018) Application of lignin-stabilized silty soil in highway subgrade: a macroscale laboratory study. J Mater Civ Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002203

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank The Nanotechnology Research Centre of SRMIST, KTR, for the XRD, SEM and FTIR facilities for the research work.

Funding

The present work was financially supported by Science and Engineering Research Board under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, India under File No. ECR/2017/002711.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, India

    Sharmila B, Bhuvaneshwari S & Landlin G

Authors
  1. Sharmila B
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bhuvaneshwari S
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Landlin G
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bhuvaneshwari S.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

B, S., S, B. & G, L. Application of lignosulphonate—a sustainable approach towards strength improvement and swell management of expansive soils. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 6395–6413 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02323-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02323-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation