Utilization of fly ash mixed with lime in pavement sub-base

Ankur Mudgal1, Prateek Negi2 and Raju Sarkar3

1

Dept. of Civil Engineering, Galgotias Collage of Engineering and Technology, Institutions Area, Knowledge Park 2, Greater Noida, India
2

School of Civil & Mechanical Engineering, Galgotias University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Greater Noida, India

3 1

Dept. of Civil Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi

2 3

ankur.mud@gmail.com, prateek.negi@galgotiasuniversity.edu.in, sarkar_raju@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Fly ash is produced in large quantities from the thermal power plant as a byproduct. In India only, generally a single thermal power plant produces about 3000- 4000 tones of fly ash per day, which is very large in quantity making it a burden as well as a threat on environment. Typically researchers have given a way to use it in soil stabilization in road pavements either alone or mixed (sarkar et al). In the present study, fly ash is being mixed with lime as an alternative to geomaterials in pavement sub-base. Fly ash samples were collected from Dadri power plant, Near Greater Noida. Compaction behavior, California bearing ratio, grain size distribution of fly ash blended with lime are presented here and results are thoroughly discussed. Mineralogy of fly ash is determined by x- ray diffraction technique (XRD) and morphology is studied with scanning electron micrographs (SEM). Key Words: Fly ash, California bearing ratio, X-ray Diffractogram, Scanning Electron Micrographs, specific gravity

1. INTRODUCTION
Fly ashes are complex particles of variable composition, which are mainly dependent on the combustion process, the source of coal and the precipitation technique. It exhibits engineering behavior similar to fine grained soils. It is possible to use fly ash as an alternative to geomaterials. However, fly ash possesses inherent variability in its characteristics, that can differ from source to source and fly ash emanating from the same thermal plant may vary from time to time. The variability in the properties of fly ash are due to several reasons such as type of coal, degree of pulverization of coal, design of furnace, changes in coal supply, changes in boiler load. Hence, fly ash characterization with respect to physical, chemical, mineralogical, morphological and geotechnical aspects are important in assessing its behavior when used in geotechnical engineering applications. This study deals with geotechnical characteristics of fly ash obtained from Dadri plant site of national thermal power corporation, Uttar Pradesh. The characteristics of fly ashes when mixed with lime in the percentage of 3, 6, 9 and 12 by weight are also checked in the current study.

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
3.1 Specific gravity Specific gravity is one of the important physical properties needed for the use of coal ashes for geotechnical and other application. The range of specific gravity for Indian coal fly ashes lays between1.44 to 2.66 (siridharan) 2001. This was determined by density bottle in non polar medium (Keroscene). The investigation showed that Specific gravity of Dadri fly ash was 2.46, which lies in this range.

3.2 Grain size analysis Grain size distribution indicates if a material is well graded, poorly graded, fine or coarse, etc. and also help in classifying the fly ashes (Havanagi, V.G. 1999). Grain size distribution of fly ash is presented in Figure1. Majority of particles are lies between 0.475 to .075mm, which are about 67% while 20% particles are lies between .075 to .002mm. Coefficient of uniformity and coefficient of curvature of Dadri Fly ash lies in this range.

Percentage Finer (%)

120.00 70.00 20.00 0.01 -30.00 0.1 1 10

Particle size (mm) Figure.1 Particle size distribution of fly ash 2.1 Compaction Behavior This test involves maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. The compactive energy level used as the Indian standard Light. Air dried fly ash sample passing through IS sieve 425m aperture mixed with 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% lime by weight of dry fly ash used. The Indian standard light is the effort derived 2.5 kg rammer falling through 75 cm on to three layers each receiving 25 blows. Fly ash has high optimum moisture content and low maximum dry density than normal soils, because the specific gravity of the fly ash is smaller than the specific gravity of normal soils. Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows the variation of MDD and OMC with increasing the lime in fly ash. 16.5 1.6 1.55 MDD(g/cc) 1.5 1.45 1.4 1.35 0 5 Lime % 10 15 OMC (%) 16 15.5 15 14.5 14 13.5 0 5 Lime (%)10 15

Figure2. Variation in MDD with increasing the lime

Figure3. Variation in OMC with increasing the lime

2.2 California bearing ratio Test The California Bearing Ratio test was done to check the suitability of fly ash as sub base material. Firstly, fly ash alone was tested and then when mixed with different content of lime, it was tested again as per IS 2720 part 16 (1979).The tests were conducted under a constant strain rate of 1.25mm/min. The proving ring reading is noted for 50 divisions, and loading was continued until 3 (or) more readings are decreasing (or) constant. The samples

were tested in un-soaked condition. The tests were conducted on 3 days curing of sample at optimum moisture content.

20

CBR (%)

15 10 5 0 0 5 10 15

Lime (%)
Figure4. Variation in CBR % with increasing the lime content 2.3 Scanning electron microscopy The morphology of the fly ash particles and mixed with lime was analyzed by Scanning electron microscope Hitachi S 3700. The samples were taken after 28 days of mixing and curing. From figure5, 6, 7, 8 it is clearly able to be seen from micrographs that fly ash and lime undergone in pozzolanic reactions and forming various cementations compounds. They were analyzed and matched with the data available (Negi, 2013).

Figure5. Fly Ash at 50 m scale

Figure6. Fly Ash at 10 m scale

Figure7. Lime at 5 m scale

Figure8. Fly Ash+ Lime at 20 m scale

2.4 Powder x-ray diffraction

Mineralogical composition in fly ash was determined by X-ray diffractometer. Mineral phases in fly ash and mixed samples were determined using powder XRD with Cu-K radiations (0.05 2 step and a range of 0-70 2). A typical result of sample is shown in figure. Peaks of the sample were matched with JCPDS data and minerals compositions were determined.

Figure.9 X-Ray diffraction analysis of Fly ash

3. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions are drawn on the basis of test results obtained on fly ash with lime. 1. From the XRD analysis of the fly ash the presence of quartz, hematite and corundum was confirmed with help of data files developed by Joint committee on powder diffraction standards (JCPDS 1994). 2. SEM picture of cured sample is clearly shows the coarser bonded particle of fly ash. 3. The maximum dry density of fly ash increases in a linear manner with increases in percentage of lime. This is because lime gives the binding property to fly ash. 4. CBR value of fly ash was also increased by adding the lime. The reason of this effect of pozzolonic reactions of lime with amorphous quartz and hematite.

5. REFERENCES
1. 2. 3. 4. Gopalan, M.K. and Haque, M.N. (1986) Strength development of clinically cured plain fly ash concretes, in Proceed. of Aus. Road Research Board , Vol 13, Pt. 5, pp 2733.

IS: 2720 (1967) Compendium of Indian Standards on Soil Engineering, Part-I, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India
Sarkar Raju , Abbas S.M. and Shahu J.T. study of geotechnical behaviour of pond ash mixed with marble dust, deptt. of civil engg., IIT delhi, india. Sridharan, A. (2001), Physical, chemical and engineering properties of Indian coal ashes, National Seminar on Utilization of Fly Ash in Water Resources Sector, Central Soil and Material Research Station, New Delhi, pp15 28 Pandian, N., S., (2004). Fly ash characterization With Reference To Geotechnical Applications, J. Indian Inst. Sci., Nov.Dec. 2004, 84, pp.189216. Negi Prateek, Sarkar Raju. (2013), Effect of Curing on Compaction Behavior of Pond Ash Mixed with Marble Dust and Lime, IJESE, Scopus Compendex and Geobase Elsevier, Chemical Abstract ServicesUSA, Geo-Ref Information Services-USA, February 2013, P.P.211-216.

5. 6.