Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil Using Industrial Waste: A Review

Black cotton soil is challenging for construction due to its high shrink-swell behavior and low load-bearing capacity, making stabilization essential for durable infrastructure. Traditional methods like cement and lime stabilization, though effective, are costly and environmentally taxing. As a sustainable alternative, industrial waste has gained attention for soil stabilization due to its low cost and environmental benefits. This study examines using industrial waste, such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, rice husk ash, and glass waste, with a specific focus on stone powder waste like granite dust, marble dust, and kota stone dust. These by-products from the construction and stone processing industries possess favorable chemical and physical properties for soil improvement. The paper critically evaluates existing research on stone powder waste for stabilizing black cotton soil, highlighting its impact on reducing soil plasticity, improving compressive strength, and mitigating swell-shrink properties. Comparative analyses and case studies show the effectiveness of stone powder waste relative to other industrial by-products. The findings conclude that stone powder waste, particularly granite, marble, and kota stone dust, significantly enhances soil stability, promoting sustainable construction practices. However, the study calls for further research to optimize the use of these materials and address long-term performance considerations.