Study of Utilization of Waste Paper Sludge Ash (WPSA) for Soil Stabilization

Abstract

The potential of Waste Paper Sludge Ash (WPSA) as an additive to improve the characteristics of clayey soils for Civil Engineering applications is examined in this study. The study examine how different percentages of WPSA (5%, and 10%) affect the various index properties of soil, such as permeability, strength, and compaction. A number of laboratory tests were performed, including the Standard Proctor Test, Atterberg Limit Test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS Test), and Triaxial Compression Test with varying WPSA levels. The findings demonstrated that adding WPSA has a major impact on the compaction properties of the soil, that is an increase in optimal moisture content and a decrease in maximum dry density as the WPSA% rises. When WPSA was added, there is a decrease in the liquid limit and a rise in the plastic limit, which indicates increased soil plasticity. There is an improvement in the soil's shear strength, increased strength in unsoaked conditions with 5% WPSA. WPSA is waste from paper industry used for improving soil properties, especially for applications like foundation construction and road embankments that call for increased soil strength. Future studies might concentrate on evaluating the WPSA-treated soils' long-term performance under field circumstances.