Improving Black Cotton Soil with Sodium Hydroxide and Fly Ash: An Assessment of Optimum Moisture Content, Dry Density, and California Bearing Ratio

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 02 | Page : 192 201
    By

    Durga Chaitanya Kumar Jagarapu,

  • Khamar Madiha Afnan,

  • Syed Hamim Jeelani,

  • Moriba M. Moriba Traore,

  • M.A. Mohammed Aslam,

  • Arunakanthi Eluru,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  2. PG Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
  5. Professor, Department of Geology, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
  6. Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, JNTU Anantapur, Ananthapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study investigates the stabilization of Black Cotton Soil (BCS), an expansive clayey soil primarily composed of montmorillonite minerals, using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and fly ash. Due to its high plasticity and significant volume changes with moisture, BCS is challenging for construction purposes. Adding NaOH and fly ash can potentially improve the soil’s moisture tolerance, compressibility, and reduce its plasticity, making it more suitable for structural applications. The research evaluates key soil properties that affect its performance in construction: Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), Maximum Dry Density (MDD), and California Bearing Ratio (CBR). OMC is the moisture level at which soil achieves maximum compaction, and MDD represents the highest achievable density, both of which are important for load-bearing capacity. CBR values measure the soil’s strength under load, a critical factor in pavement and foundation design. Additionally, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCC) is assessed to understand the soil’s resilience under direct compressive loads. Various ratios of NaOH (4%, 7%, 10%, 13%, 16%, and 19%) and fly ash (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) are incorporated into the BCS to analyze their effects on these parameters. The study’s findings show that increasing NaOH and fly ash content enhances the OMC, MDD, CBR, and UCC values, indicating a positive impact on soil stability and strength. In summary, the addition of NaOH and fly ash effectively transforms Black Cotton Soil into a more stable and load-bearing material, making it a viable option for construction in areas with high BCS presence. This approach presents a sustainable method to address BCS-related challenges in infrastructure projects.

Keywords: Fly ash, mechanical properties, synthetic soil, sodium hydroxide, CBR.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Durga Chaitanya Kumar Jagarapu, Khamar Madiha Afnan, Syed Hamim Jeelani, Moriba M. Moriba Traore, M.A. Mohammed Aslam, Arunakanthi Eluru. Improving Black Cotton Soil with Sodium Hydroxide and Fly Ash: An Assessment of Optimum Moisture Content, Dry Density, and California Bearing Ratio. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):192-201.
How to cite this URL:
Durga Chaitanya Kumar Jagarapu, Khamar Madiha Afnan, Syed Hamim Jeelani, Moriba M. Moriba Traore, M.A. Mohammed Aslam, Arunakanthi Eluru. Improving Black Cotton Soil with Sodium Hydroxide and Fly Ash: An Assessment of Optimum Moisture Content, Dry Density, and California Bearing Ratio. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(02):192-201. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=239386


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Special Issue 02
Received 01/10/2025
Accepted 07/11/2025
Published 28/03/2026
Publication Time 178 Days
71

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