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Optimization of cement, rice husk ash, and waste plastic additives for stabilizing expansive subgrade soil: a Grey-Taguchi analysis approach

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Abstract

In the design and construction of pavement, properties of subgrade soil play a crucial role in maintaining the design life and preventing failures. If the subgrade has low strength or expansive properties, it will result in failure of the pavement and needs to be stabilized using different additives. In this study, cement, rice husk ash (RHA) and plastic waste are the additives being used to stabilize the soil. Besides, Taguchi analysis is used to optimize the additives. Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) are the properties of soil evaluated using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array experiment design. Optimal values are found at 4% cement, 5% RHA and 0.5% plastic waste for CBR and 5% cement, 20% RHA and 1% plastic waste for UCS. At 5% cement, 5% RHA, and 0.5% plastic waste, Taguchi and Grey analysis results are shown to be optimal. Tests are conducted on the soil using final optimal combination to evaluate the CBR and UCS properties. The results indicate that the values obtained using Taguchi analysis approach are higher than those of conventional subgrade soil and all nine combinations obtained through Taguchi analysis. This reinforces the effectiveness of the Taguchi-based grey relational analysis in enhancing soil properties.

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Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere appreciation to Ch. Srikanth, E. Princy, G.V.S.S. Prasad and K. Chinna babu for their efforts and commitment in conducting the experimental work. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and teamwork were crucial to the successful completion of this work.

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This project was conducted without external funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, GMR Institute of Technology, Rajam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Siva Gowri Prasad Suvvari & Madhu Chappa

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Nalla Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Suresh Kandru

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  1. Siva Gowri Prasad Suvvari
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Contributions

Dr. SSGP: Developed the methodology, performed the analysis, and prepared the initial draft of the report. Dr. KS: Conducted data analysis, contributed to writing the report, and provided editing support. Mr. ChM: Carried out experimental work for the study. All authors have thoroughly reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Siva Gowri Prasad Suvvari.

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Suvvari, S.G.P., Kandru, S. & Chappa, M. Optimization of cement, rice husk ash, and waste plastic additives for stabilizing expansive subgrade soil: a Grey-Taguchi analysis approach. J Build Rehabil 9, 8 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-023-00357-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-023-00357-4

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