CARRIER EPISODE 1

1.1
INTRODUCTION
1.2
BACKGROUND
1.2.1
Soil is basically defined as the thin layer of material that is produced by the weathering of the
rock and covers the surface of the earth. Soil is composed of mainly five components that are
living organisms, gas, water, and mineral soil organic. Minerals of soil are classified into three
sizes which are sand, silt, and clay. There are various types of soil like marshy soil, alluvial soil,
desert soil, and black cotton soil. Black cotton soil is a type of soil, used for agricultural purposes
and is clayey in nature. Black cotton soil is deep and impermeable in nature and it also has a high
holding capacity. The utilization of bamboo fibers as geosynthetic material with black cotton soil
can be the best alternative for soil stabilization. Bamboo fibers are eco-friendly, can be easily
available, and cost-effective. This helps in the cost reduction of the overall project.
The project was about the stabilization of soil utilizing bamboo fibers as geosynthetic material
Initially, all the necessary materials were selected to perform the soil stabilization using bamboo
fibers. Two samples were prepared by including a certain percentage of bamboo fibers to black
cotton soil and sedu soil. The apparatus was fixed out to perform the experimental test. To
determine the properties of soil various experimental tests were performed. The Atterberg test
was carried out to determine all these soil properties. Similarly, a compaction test was performed
to examine the OMC and density of the soil. Then, the California bearing test was executed to
analyze the penetration resistance capacity of soil and its materials. Eventually, the results were
obtained through various experimental tests. All the soil properties and values were obtained and
realized that the utilization of bamboo fiber during soil stabilization was one of the best
alternatives among all the geosynthetic materials.
1.2.2
OBJECTIVES
The primary and major objective of the project was to stabilize the soil by using bamboo
fiber as a geo-synthetic material. Other secondary objectives were;

 To increment the overall strength of soil by the inclusion of bamboo fiber as

geosynthetic material.
 To enhance the stability and properties of soil.
1.2.3
Duties
 To perform a detailed investigation of the properties of soil while using bamboo fiber as
an additive material to increase the soil strength
 To carry out a selection of all the necessary materials and apparatus needed for the
experiments.
 To accomplish the sample preparation and experimental test to determine the material
properties of soil.
 To execute the test for determining soil properties such as soil density, CBR percentage
OMC.
 To analyze the results obtained from the material test and soil test.

1.3
PEA
1.3.1
I performed a detailed investigation before implementing the project to know about the project
title. I gathered information through various published articles, books, journals, and websites. I
researched the additives that could be used for soil stabilization especially bamboo fibers as
additive. Initially, I began with the study of the material required for the project including all the
apparatus necessary during project execution. I researched the properties of materials needed for
the sample preparation and studied the experimental test. Similarly, I explored all the tests
required for the sample to know its properties. I acknowledged the long and short effects of
geosynthetic material in soil along with its pros and cons. Further, I also studied the method of
soil stabilization using bamboo fibers.

1.3.2
After the completion of a detailed investigation of the project-related topics, I carried out the
material selection. I started with a selection of all the necessary materials required for the project.
Initially, I adopted black cotton soil and sedu soil for the sample preparation and I designated
0.25%,0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% of bamboo fiber as geosynthetic material in black cotton soil to
prepare sample 1 similarly same percentage of bamboo fiber was used with sedu soil to prepare
sample 2.. I designated various tests to recognize the properties of black cotton soil like the
unconfined compression test, and California Bearing test. I picked up apparatus like an oven,
trays or buckets, brushes, and a mechanical sieve shaker to execute wet sieve analysis. I chose
standard liquid limit apparatus, evaporating dish, moisture containers, and spatula for the liquid
limit test. Further for the compaction test, I selected apparatus like mold, metal rammer, Is sieve,
spatula trowel, moisture containers, measuring cylinder, and drying oven. Similarly, I adopted all
the necessary apparatus needed to execute the experimental test of soil and its properties while
using bamboo fiber as geosynthetic material.

1.3.3
After material selection, I proceeded toward sample preparation. I adopted the core cutter
method as a soil sampling technique and obtained the characteristics of soil by performing
various experimental tests. I executed a wet sieve analysis to understand the grain size of the soil
sample. I took a soil sample of 200g which passes through 4.75mm and washed it using clean
water then kept retained soil portion in the oven for drying and sieved that retained portion using
a mechanical sieve shaker. I sieved the soil in mechanical equipment until 10 minutes. I weighed
the retained material and passage through the 2.0mm sieve and according to that result, I
considered them as coarse sand, fine sand, and gravel portion. Similarly, I performed the
Atterberg test to find out the water content of the soil sample. After testing the properties of
materials. Finally, I prepared the soil samples by adding 0.25%, 0.5%, 0/75%, and 1% to the soil
sedu and black cotton soil.
1.3.4
I performed a compaction test to determine the optimum moisture content and soil density. I
prepared a sample by taking 2.5kg of dried soil and then noted the weight of clean and empty
cylindrical mold first. I applied the grease in the mold and attached the collar then filled the
1000cc mold with the prepared soil sample. I scratched each layer of soil with a spatula before
putting the next layer of soil. I trimmed the excess amount of soil from the mold, removed the
collar, clean the mold, and took the weight of the mold including compacted soil and base plate. I
repeated the procedure five times and eventually obtained the OMC and soil density. After
determining the density and optimum moisture content of the soil I carried out a California
bearing test to find out the penetration resistance capacity of the soil. I took 5kg of dried soil
sample and prepared specimen kept in mold. I placed the surcharge weight centrally to conduct a
penetration test. I placed the penetration plunger in the center of the specimen and the dial gauge
set to zero to measure the penetration values. Finally, I obtained the penetration resistance
values. Similarly, I performed an unconfined compression test to determine the shear strength of
the soil. I adopted cohesive soil specimens to carry out the unconfined compressive test in which
I directly placed the cylindrical specimen compressive load and compression testing machine.
1.3.5
I executed Wet Sieve Analysis to classify the sedu soil and black cotton soil. I obtained 15g of
soil sample retained on a 0.075 mm sieve after washing and drying. I also found that after
washing the soil sample, 85g of the sample passed through a 0.075mm sieve. I obtained 60% of
the liquid limit after plotting a graph of penetration versus water content from the cone
penetration test. But after adding bamboo fiber 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%, and 0.25% as geosynthetic
material I obtained liquid limits of 42.3%, 42.0%, 39%, and 39.2% respectively. I determined a
liquid limit of 54.33% after plotting the number of blows versus water content in Casagrande’s
method. From the plastic limit test, I obtained 21.46% as a plastic limit and after the inclusion of
percentages of bamboo fiber, I found plastic limit as 22.27%, 33.33%, 35.59%, and 37.50%.
From the shrinkage limit test, I found 23.309% as a shrinkage limit and after including 0.25%,
0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% percentages of bamboo fiber I determined 16.471%, 15.876%, 8.043%,
and 5.826% respectively. I acquired OMC at 21.4%, and MDD at 1.378 from the standard
proctor test. I performed an unconfined compression test and obtained a graph by plotting the
determined value of axial stress and strain. I got the CBR of the specimen as 1.65% from the
CBR test and after adding bamboo fiber I obtained CBR values of 27.74%, 29%, 27.74%, and
44.77%.
1.4
Problem and solution
1.4.1
During the project implementation, I countered difficulty. I found a problem with the low value
of unconfined compressive strength during analyzing the result from an unconfined compression
test. I came to know that due to the low compressive strength the failure occurred at the subgrade
and the whole structure may fail. After facing a problem related to my strength, I went to the
supervisor to consult about the problem. I also discussed with the team members about the raised
problem. Then I got to know the cause of the low compressive strength. I noticed that a low
value of compressive strength was obtained due to the low compaction of the sample soil. I
recommended providing a sample with better compaction to obtain a higher value of
compressive strength during the unconfined compressive strength test.
1.4.2
After solving the first problem, I stocked into another problem while analyzing the final results
of the experimental test. I found that the density of soil obtained after the Compaction test was
undesirable. I noticed that the low density of soil leads to a decrease in the strength of soil and
the low strength subgrade soil disabled the distribution of the acted load uniformly. As soon as I
countered the problem, I started researching the cause the of problem through various books and
articles. I discussed the problem with the professors as well. Then finally I came to know about
the cause of the problem. I realized that obtained density was less because soil particles were not
closely packed and voids were present in the soil sample. For the solution to this problem, I
commended performing proper compaction by reducing voids properly and this helped in
increasing soil density.
1.5
Creative Analysis
To solve the first problem of the low value of unconfined compression strength I suggested
providing a properly compacted soil sample for the higher value of compressive strength of the
soil sample during the test. Similarly, to solve the problem of the low density of soil I
recommended reducing the air voids.
1.6
Project Management
After the submission of the project proposal, I was designated as the project leader. I performed
all the required tasks for the smooth and timely completion of the project. Before execution of
the project, I studied and gathered information about the project title which was bamboo fiber as
geosynthetic material in soil stabilization. After getting clear about the project objectives, I
headed toward the preparation of the work plan. I prepared a work plan for all the tasks that were
needed to perform. I distributed work among the team members according to their capabilities so
that no one have to bear the extra burden. I got involved in various seminars. I took part in
budget planning as well so that project could complete within the estimated budget. I coordinated
with collage and professors and managed all the resources needed for the project. I monitored the
project whether it was going according to the previous plan or not. I took daily updates of the
team member and informed a supervisor so that everyone could be accurately evaluated.
1.7
Summary
The project about the stabilization of soil by using bamboo fiber as geosynthetic material was
completed successfully. The project started with a detailed investigation followed by the material
selection. All the materials were selected for sample preparation and experimental tests were
carried out to examine the material properties. Mainly two samples were prepared by adding
1.00%, 0.75%, 0.5%, and 0.25% with the proposed soil sample, and the same percentage of
bamboo fiber was added with sedu soil to prepare the second sample. The experimental test was
performed to understand the properties of the material before preparing the sample after that tests
for sample 1 and sample 2 were also carried out. The properties of the soil were analyzed after
the complete test and soil without bamboo fiber were compared with the soil including bamboo
fiber. Finally, it was concluded that the soil sample with bamboo fiber exhibits more strength and
was more stable than the soil without bamboo fiber and all the secondary objectives were
fulfilled.
At the end of the project, I felt some personal positive changes as working as the team leader of
the project. I developed my confidence and increased my knowledge in the specific field. I
enhanced my communication skill as I conducted several seminars. I acquired knowledge about
team and time management. I intensified my leadership quality as well.