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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM67060
Volume:
10 |
9 |
Sep 2026
Pages:
1-12
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Civil Engineering
SRI SAI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Civil Engineering
SRI SAI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
The engineering performance of clayey soils is often limited by their high plasticity, low strength, excessive compressibility, and significant volume changes under varying moisture conditions. These characteristics can adversely affect the stability and service life of civil engineering structures. Soil stabilization has become an effective technique for improving the behavior of such soils, and the use of industrial by-products and nanomaterials has emerged as a sustainable and economical approach. In this context, phosphogypsum, a by-product of the fertilizer industry, and nano silica, a highly reactive material with excellent binding properties, have been selected as stabilizing agents.This research presents an experimental investigation on the geotechnical properties of clayey soil stabilized with phosphogypsum and nano silica. Phosphogypsum is incorporated at replacement levels of 15%, 20%, and 25% by the dry weight of soil, while nano silica is added at 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%. An untreated clayey soil specimen is used as the reference material for evaluating the effectiveness of the stabilization process. A comprehensive laboratory testing program is carried out to examine the changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the stabilized soil. The investigation includes the determination of index properties, compaction characteristics, strength parameters, and bearing capacity using standard laboratory procedures. The test results are analyzed to identify the influence of different proportions of phosphogypsum and nano silica on the engineering performance of the soil and to determine the most effective combination of the two stabilizing materials.The study is expected to demonstrate that the combined application of phosphogypsum and nano silica can significantly improve the geotechnical characteristics of clayey soil by reducing plasticity, enhancing compaction behavior, increasing strength, and improving bearing capacity. In addition to improving soil performance, the utilization of phosphogypsum provides an environmentally responsible solution for the beneficial reuse of industrial waste, thereby supporting sustainable construction practices. The outcomes of this research are anticipated to provide useful guidance for the application of alternative stabilizing materials in pavement foundations, embankments, and other geotechnical engineering projects.
KEYWORDS
Based on experimental findings, the subsequent conclusions have been reached: 1. Essential Attributes and Atterberg Limits: The essential characteristics and Atterberg limits of the raw clayey soil were identified to set a reference point for measuring stabilization efficiency. These initial traits formed a framework for analyzing the modifications in the soil's consistency and engineering performance post-treatment with phosphogypsum and nano-silica. 2. Compaction Properties: The introduction of phosphogypsum and nano-silica influenced the compaction properties of the clayey soil. The maximum dry density (MDD) was 12.95kN/m³ in the specified blend of 20% phosphogypsum and 1.5% nano-silica, while the optimum moisture content (OMC) was recorded at 17.10%. The increase in OMC and the reduction in MDD are the result of the high specific surface area of nano-silica, more void spaces, and modifications in particle organization. This results in a greater need for hydration during compaction. 3. CBR Effectiveness: The modified soil revealed superior resistance to penetration, with a soaked CBR of 4.4% and an unsoaked CBR of 6.3% for the 20% phosphogypsum and 1.5% nano-silica blend. The advancement may be attributed to the micro-filling properties of nano-silica, augmented particle interactions, and superior bonding within the stabilized soil composition. The increased unsoaked CBR relative to the soaked CBR also signifies the impact of water saturation on the bearing strength of the treated soil. 4. UCS Effectiveness: The resilience of the stabilized soil improved as the curing period extended. The UCS for a mixture containing 20% phosphogypsum and 1.5% nano-silica was measured at 270kN/m² after 7 days of curing, increasing to 292kN/m² after 14 days. This progress denotes the evolution of enhanced interparticle adhesion through curing and could be related to continuous physicochemical interactions within the stabilized soil composition. The escalation from 270 to 292kN/m² denotes an advancement of about 8.1% in the strength measured after 7 days. 5. Overall Suitability and Optimum Combination: The analysis of engineering parameters revealed that the blend of 20% phosphogypsum and 1.5% nano-silica showed favorable stabilization results, featuring a maximum dry density of 12.95 kN/m³, optimum moisture content of 17.10%, soaked CBR of 4.4%, unsoaked CBR of 6.3%, 7-day UCS of 270 kN/m², and 14-day UCS of 292 kN/m². The outcomes reveal the promise of phosphogypsum and nano-silica as potent stabilizers for augmenting the strength and load-bearing capacity of clayey soils, simultaneously fostering the productive use of an industrial by-product.
1. Ola Bakr Shalaby*, Hala M. Elkady, Amr B. ElDeeb , Mohamed Salah (2024) “Improved Mechanical Properties of Clay Soil Modified by Activated Nano White Cement and Nano-Silica Mixture”. Journal of China University of Mining and Technology (JCUMT), Volume: 29 Issue: 03 | DOI: 10.1654/zkdx.2024.29.3-13.2. Jijo James (2023), “Stress-Strain Characteristics and Mineralogy of an Expansive Soil Stabilized Using Lime and Phosphogypsum”. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 3. Hareshwar Ashokrao Wadhonkar(2022), “Stabilization of Expansive Soil Using Industrial and Agricultural Wastes”. Print ISSN: 2395-1990 | Online ISSN: 2394-4099 IJSRSET. 4. Shaili Bhavsar, Mauni Modi (2022) “Optimization of Fly Ash Percentage Used To Improve the Properties of Black Cotton Soil”. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), Volume: 09 Issue: 03 | Mar -2022. 5. Kavita Pawar, Ganesh Handibagh (2022) “Influence of steel slag addition on strength characteristics of clayey soil”. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET) ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538, Volume 10 Issue IV Apr 2022. 6. Guoping Qian (2022), “Experimental Study on the Road Performance of High Content of Phosphogypsum in the Lime–Fly Ash Mixture”. Front. Mater. 9:935113. doi: 10.3389/fmats.2022.935113 Frontiers in Materials | www.frontiersin.org 1 July 2022 | Volume 9 | Article 935113 7. J. James (2021), “Lime activated flyash‑phosphogypsum blend as a low‑cost alternative Binder”. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03618-2 8. Anusha H M (2021), “Analysis of Strength Properties of Lime Stabilized Black Cotton Soil with Phosphogypsum”. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343556029. Researchgate. 9. Dr.K.Dhanasekar (2021), “Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil using Lime and Phosphogypsum”. Volume 9. No. 4, April 2021 International Journal of Emerging TrendsinEngineeringResearch.https://doi.org/10.30534/ijeter/2021/29942021.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351067873. Researchgate. 10. Mayur Sabhnani (2021), “Utilization of Phosphogypsum and Surkhi asClayey Soil Stabilizer - A Review”. © 2021 JETIR April 2021, Volume 8, Issue 4 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162). Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) www.jetir.org
Publication Date
9/2/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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