ENHANCING GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF INDIAN SOILS USING MANUFACTURING BY-PRODUCTS AND FARMING RESIDUES

As India undergoes massive infrastructural expansion, the construction sector faces an urgent demand for cost-effective, eco-friendly building materials. A significant hurdle in regions such as Pune, Maharashtra, is the presence of highly reactive expansive soils. These terrains present severe engineering difficulties due to their poor weight-bearing capabilities and tendency to drastically alter volume with moisture changes. This research investigates a pragmatic and green workaround: blending industrial by-products (specifically copper slag and waste sand) with agricultural residues (rice husk, bagasse, and sawdust ashes) to reinforce the ground. Testing these mixtures revealed substantial upgrades in the soil's compaction, shear strength, and plasticity. By substituting traditional, carbon-heavy stabilizers with these discarded materials, we can simultaneously achieve superior mechanical performance and lower environmental impact, offering a highly sustainable framework for civil projects in India.