The Black cotton soil is sampled from Akaki Kality area, Type of soil used in this investigation

is of having high clay content,. For the reduction of the clay content, the black cotton soil is
blended with sand and coarse aggregate with different blend mix trials. Hydrometer and sieve
analysis test were studied to suggest the optimum percentage of sand and coarse aggregate which
can lower the clay content

Table 1.1 dry blend mix of black cotton+ sand + coarse aggregate

Dry blend mix trials

trial Black cotton soil natural sand C.aggregate (3-13mm)
1 30% 35% 35%
2 40% 30% 30%
3 50% 25% 25%
4 60% 30% 10%

It has been observed that an addition of 35% of Natural sand and 35% of coarse aggregate to the
black cotton soil lowers the clay content considerably from 62% to 32%.

Index properties and CBR values of blend mix 1

At,terberg limit

The Atterberg limits are based on the moisture content of the soil.. The liquid limit is the
moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a plastic to a viscous fluid state. The
plastic limit is the moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a semi-solid to a
plastic (flexible) state. This test follows the standardize procedure Based on ASTM D 4318.

Liquid limit and plastic index of the treated soil definitely decrease with the addition of different
enzyme mix. Relatively on sample DD the lowest liquid limit and plastic index recorded. This
comparative result is illustrated in the chart below.

LIQUID LIMIT & PLASTIC INDEX

FB 59.25
34.91
CH 59.4
34.04
DD 58.26
31.05
KBS 96.85
47.81
0 20 40 60 80 100 120

LIQUID LIMIT VALUE PLASTIC INDEX VALUE (PI)

California bearing ratio test CBR

The California Bearing Ratio test, or CBR test as it is usually called, is an empirical test which
was first developed in California, USA, to estimate the bearing value of highway sub-base and
sub grade, hence. The test is performed by pushing a standard plunger into the soil at a fixed rate
of penetration, and measuring the force required to maintain that rate. Using the resulting load–
penetration relationship, the CBR can be derived for the soil in the condition in which it was
tested. It is important to appreciate that this test, being of an empirical nature, is valid only for
the application for which it was developed, i.e. the design of highway base thicknesses.(K.H
head and R.J Epps 2011 third edition, permeability shear strength and compressibility tests.)

The test follows a standardize procedure Based on ASTM D 1883. California bearing ratio is the
ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate in to a soil mass with a circular plunger of 50mm
diameter at the rate of 1.27mm / min. (CBR) test carried out in this study to measure the strength
characteristic of soil. Soaked CBR value was used by using Modified proctor method. The CBR
value was calculated for 10, 30 and 65 blows.

CBR = measured force / standard force *100%

The largest CBR value is recorded on sample code DD .The comparison of CBR values between
different enzymes are shown in the chart below.

CBR VALUE %
12
11.1
10.45
9 9.53
CBR %

3
1.65
0
KBS DD CH FB
Sample code

Swelling pressure