International Journal of Engineering Studies

ISSN 0975- 6469 Volume 2, Number 2 (2010), pp. 155–159

© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com/ijes.htm

Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme Treated

Expansive soil

Sureka Naagesh1 and S. Gangadhara2

1
Department of Civil Engineering, BMS College of Engineering,
Bangalore-560019, India
E-mail: rsurekha12@gmail.com
2
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, India
E-mail: gdhara_68@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Expansive soils occur in semi arid and arid regions of the world. Expansive
soils are known for their volume change behavior whenever moisture content
in them changes. One of the possible solutions to overcome the undesirable
swell-shrink characteristics is by the addition of admixtures. Commonly used
additives are lime and cement. Non traditional additives like fly ash,
incinerator ash, polymers, nylon fibers etc, are also being examined by various
researchers and their suitability has been studied. This paper presents the
results of experiments conducted on an expansive soil treated with an organic,
non-toxic, eco-friendly bio-enzyme stabilizer in order to assess its suitability
in reducing the swelling in expansive soils.
The experimental results indicate that the bio enzyme stabilizer used in the
present investigation is effective and the swelling of an expansive soil reduces
on wet side of OMC.

Key words: Swelling, Modified odeometer, Expansive soil, Stabilizer, Bio

enzyme.

Introduction
Expansive soils are predominantly found in many parts of the world. In India, they
cover almost twenty percent of the land mass. Expansive soils undergo large amount
of heaving and shrinking due to seasonal changes. The magnitude of such seasonal
movements being dependent on several factors, still pose a problem for estimation of
settlements. The swelling of clays has posed a serious problem for the development
and maintenance of infrastructure like buildings, pavements, pipelines etc.
146 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Significant research has been done in the area of stabilization of soft clays in past
few decades. Haussmann [9] lists three main soil modification techniques as
mechanical, chemical, and physical methods. Among these most widely adopted are
mechanical and chemical stabilization methods. Chemical stabilizers include lime and
cement. Hunter [13] reports that Lime is not preferred in sulphate rich soils since
calcium present in lime reacts with sulphates and alumina present in the soil leading
to formation of Ettringite and Thaumasites. Sherwood [22] noted that Cement
stabilized soils are susceptible to high temperature cracking, brittle failure and
corrosive soil environment. With these drawbacks, there is need for other new
alternative stabilizers which are effective in overcoming and addressing the associated
problems. Hence as an alternative Organic stabilizer is considered in the present study
and their ability to reduce swelling is examined.

Literature Review
The factors which influence the swell behaviour of an expansive soil as listed by
Parcher and Liu [17], Gromko [8], Nelson [16], Sridharan et al., [23] are as follows
1. Type and amount of clay mineral
2. Density and water content of soil specimen
3. Method of compaction.
4. Stress history such as surcharge pressure on the soil specimen
5. Test condition
6. Nature of Pore Fluid
7. Soil Structure
Swelling of soils is essentially explained in the literature by double layer theory
by Bolt [2]. Several researchers Holtz [11], Katti [14], El-Sohaby and Rabba [7] have
investigated the swelling and consolidation behaviour of untreated expansive soils.
Holtz and Gibbs [12] demonstrated that plasticity index and liquid limit values are
useful for classifying clays. Swelling characteristics of clay has been correlated with
Atterberg limits by researchers Vijayavergiya [26] Chen [3], and Seed [21].
Day [4] explained the reason for reduction in swelling due to aging effects in
untreated soil. He noted that a mechanism similar to thixotropic hardening and
formation of bonds was responsible for reduction in swelling. However, these bonds
formed were lost upon subsequent wetting and drying of the soil.
El-Sohby and Rabba [7] analyzed the influence of initial water content, initial dry
density, and clay content on swelling behaviour of two different expansive soils
obtained from a site near Cairo. El-Sohby and Mazen [6] have reported that the
mineralogical composition is a controlling factor governing the swelling behaviour of
expansive clay and exchangeable ion significantly affects the values of swelling
pressure and swell potential. The sodium ion content also affects the swelling of
expansive soils. Sridharan and Rao [24] have found that percent swell has linear
relationship with Sodium ion concentration of soil. The change in micro structure of
expansive clays during swelling has been analyzed by Dinesh Katti, et al., [5]
Saad Aiban [20] studied the compressibility and swelling characteristics of eastern
Saudi Arabian expansive soil. Oedometer free swell tests were conducted on
Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 147

undisturbed and remoulded Palygorsite expansive soil. The mineralogical

composition and fabric of soil was analyzed. The swelling of remoulded samples were
higher than undisturbed samples. It was found that prewetting of undistributed
samples did not reduce the swell potential.
Inorganic stabilizers like Lime and Cement are the most commonly used additive
to improve the engineering performance of expansive soil. Subba Rao [25],
Rajasekharan and Narasimha Rao [18] experimentally analysed that Lime
stabilization improves the compressibility characteristics of clayey soil. Basma, et al.,
[1] demonstrated that the addition of cement in small percentages of about 3%-9% by
dry weight of soil decreases the swelling characteristics. The studies on the swelling
behaviour of chemically treated soil indicate that they have potential to develop
adverse chemical reactions in sulphate based soils. The advantage gained by using
these stabilizers may be lost after few years due to leaching caused by seasonal
variation.
Various organic (non-calcium based) compounds have been used as additives to
reduce expansion in clays (Hernandez, [10], Rauch, et.al,[19]).
Non traditional enzyme based stabilizers like Terrazyme, Terracoat, Fujibeton,
have been used as additives to improve the engineering performance of soil.
Literature reports that Terrazyme is widely used in the construction of pavements. It is
reported by Avijeet agencies, [1] that the bio enzyme (TerraZyme) has been
successfully used in road construction as soil stabilizer for sub grade and sub base
course in India and other countries like Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Canada etc.
In India it has been used in Nasik, Maharashtra .The road is a state highway resting on
black cotton soil. It is reported that Central Road Research Institute, India, conducted
laboratory tests on three types of soil- Marine clay, Cuddalore soil and Pondicherry
soil treated with organic bio enzyme liquid stabilizer. The soil samples were tested for
CBR, Unconfined compression strength, swelling index and indirect tensile strength.
It is reported that there was significant improvement in CBR value after four weeks of
curing from 1.2% to 4.5%. The unconfined compressive strength was also found to
increase by 104% upon treatment with bio enzyme and cured for 4 weeks.
Vedula [28] reports that Terrazyme has been used to stabilize sandy clay, silty
clay, sandy silt, plastic clay, loam and such other soils. Trial roads are built in India in
states of Kerala, Tamil-Nadu and Karnataka. In India, in the state of Maharastra,
Public works Department has constructed two roads using Terrazyme and a cost
reduction of 18-26% is reported.
Studies on swelling behaviour of expansive soils treated with bio enzyme is
limited. Encouraged by the performance of Terrazyme as a stabilizer as reported in
the literature, the present work aims to investigate the feasibility of using Terrazyme,
a bio enzyme, to control swelling in an expansive soil.
148 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Materials
Soil
An expansive soil obtained from Davangere in Karnataka state, India, is used in the
present investigation. The soil was obtained from an open excavation; air dried and
pulverized to pass 425µ IS sieve.
The physical properties of the soil are as shown in the Table 1. The chemical
composition of soil is indicated in Table2.

Bio enzyme Stabilizer

A commercially available organic, enzyme based stabilizer known as TerraZyme is
used as additive to the soil. The bio-enzyme was procured from Avijeet Agencies,
Chennai, India. A bio enzyme is natural, eco friendly, non toxic, and water soluble
organic liquid obtained from sugar cane molasses that improves the engineering
qualities of soil, facilitates high soil compaction densities and improves the stability.
Bio-enzyme is a non-bacterial multi enzymatic compound and some of which are
same enzymes found in a typical brewers yeast. The bio-enzyme is obtained through
basic fermentation process and exists as a solution. Its concentration can be manually
manipulated. Avijeet [1] explains that generally, enzymes catalyze the reactions
between clay and organic cat-ions and accelerate cationic exchange process. This in
turn reduces the adsorbed layer thickness.
Table 3 shows the properties of bio enzyme.

Table 1: Properties of the soil used.

Tests Values
Specific gravity 2.68
Atterberg limits
Liquid limit % 82
Plastic limit % 31
Shrinkage limit % 6.8
Grain size analysis
%Gravel 0
% Sand 4.6
% Silt 33.8
% Clay 61.6
Standard Proctor Compaction
properties
Maximum Dry unit weight 14.4 kN/ m3

Optimum Moisture content (OMC) 28.5

%
Differential Free Swell % 71.4
pH value 7.6
Indian Standard soil classification CH
Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 149

Table 2: Chemical Composition of the soil used.

Constituents Composition %
SiO2 57.5
Al2O3 19.2
Fe2O3 16.9
TiO2 0.6
CaO 2.6
MgO 1.1
K2O 1.9
Na2O 0.3

Table 3: Properties of bio-enzyme used.

Property Value

Specific gravity 1.05

pH value 3.50

Appearance/odour Dark brown, Non-

obnoxious

Total dissolved solids 19.7ppm

Cation exchange capacity 3.87%

Hazardous content None

Boiling point 212 0F

Evapouration Rate Same as water

Solubility in water Complete

Melting point Liquid

Reactivity data Stable

Materials to avoid Caustics and strong bases

150 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Experimental Work
In the present investigation, one dimensional oedometer test set up is used to conduct
swell consolidation test (IS 2720 Part XV-1965). The specimens are directly prepared
in a consolidation ring using static compaction. The untreated specimens were tested
immediately and stabilized specimens were kept for curing in desiccators and tested
after the pre-fixed curing period. The consolidation ring containing the specimens to
be tested are placed in the consolidation cell and loaded in increments. Initially, the
specimen is subjected to swell under a load of 6.25kpa and upon completion of
swelling, it is consolidated under different loads as specified.

Preparation of specimens for Oedometer Consolidation tests

(i) Untreated specimens
Soil passing 425 µ IS sieve is mixed with required percentage of water and allowed to
equilibrate for 24 hours in a desiccator. After 24 hours, moist soil is statically
compacted in to a consolidation ring to required dry density. To reduce the side wall
friction, silicon grease is applied to the inner surface of the ring. The height of the
compacted specimens were 17± 0.5 mm in the consolidation ring with a diameter 75
mm and height 25 mm, so that even after full swelling lateral confinement was
assured. The weight and height of specimens are recorded using a dial gauge. Then
the specimens are suitably sealed and allowed to cure in the desiccator for a required
curing period.

(ii) Treated specimens

Soil specimens are initially mixed with water and then treated with different dosages
of bio enzyme (0.25%, 0.5%. 1%, and 2%) and equilibrated for 24 hrs in a desiccator.
The rest of the procedure for preparation of consolidation ring specimens remains the
same as explained above for untreated specimens.

Measurement of swell Potential and Swell Pressure

The swelling potential and swelling pressure are measured in the one dimensional
consolidation load cell using swell and load procedure. The consolidation tests were
performed as per IS-2720 Part XV-1965. Upon completion of consolidation test under
the maximum experimental pressure, the specimens were unloaded stepwise and their
water contents and weights are determined.
The percent swell of compacted specimen is calculated as,

ΔΗ
% SWELL = × 100 Where,
Η0

ΔΗ = Increase in height of the of the specimens upon wetting under 6.25 kPa
pressure
Η 0 = Thickness of the compacted specimens prior to wetting
Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 151

Results and Discussion

This section summarizes the experimental results of one dimensional oedometer tests
conducted on untreated and bio enzyme treated specimens. The results are discussed
with a focus to bring out the effect of dosage of bio enzyme and effect of curing of bio
enzyme treated specimens on swelling characteristics, (swell potential and swell
pressure) at different initial water contents.

Effect of dosage of bio enzyme

The Fig1 and Fig 2 presents e-log p curves for untreated and 2% bio enzyme treated
soil specimens respectively at initial dry density of 14kN/m3 with different initial
water contents (24%, 29% and 33%).The results indicate reduction in void ratio of bio
enzyme treated specimens. Referring to Fig 1 an untreated specimen with 29% initial
water content exhibits a void ratio of 0.98 and upon treatment with 2% bio enzyme
the void ratio decreases to 0.86 as seen from Fig 2.
The quantity of bio enzyme added to the soil expressed as a percentage of dry
weight of soil is termed as dosage of stabilizer in the present study. The percent
reduction in swelling potential and swelling pressure is calculated using the relation,

( SUntreated − STreated )
% REDUCTION = × 100
STreated

Where,
SUntreated is swelling potential or swelling pressure of untreated specimen
STreated is swelling potential or swelling pressure of treated specimen

The value of percent reduction is used to bring out the effect of bio enzyme
dosage on swelling of expansive soils.

1.1 1.1
w=24% w=24%
w=29% w=29%
1 1
w=33% w=33%
0.9 Initial void
Void ratio, e

0.9
Void ratio, e

ratio
0.8 Initial void ratio
0.8

0.7
0.7
γ d = 14kN/m3 γ d = 14kN/m3
0.6
Untreated specimens 0.6 Stabilizer = 2%
0.5 Curing = 30days
1 10 100 1000 0.5
Pressure, P kPa 1 10 100 1000
Pressure P, kPa

Figure 1: e-log p curve for untreated soil Figure 2: Effect of 2% bio enzyme on e-
specimens. log p curve of soil specimens.
152 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Fig 3 presents the comparison of percent reduction in swell potential at different

dosage of bio enzyme for soil specimens initially compacted at water contents of
24%, 29% and 33 % and cured for 30days. It is observed from Fig 3 that the reduction
in swell potential increases with increase in enzyme content. The reduction in swell
potential for specimens that were initially compacted on dry side of OMC (at 24%
water content) becomes prominent at about 1% bio enzyme content. However,
specimens initially compacted at 29% and 33% exhibited considerable reduction in
swell potential with 0.5% bio enzyme content.

100
w = 24%
% Reduction in swell potential

w = 29%
80 w = 33%

60

40

20

0
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 1.75 2
Stabilizer, %

Figure 3: Effect of stabilizer on percent reduction in Swell Potential of specimens

with initial dry density of 14kN/ m3 and cured for 30days.

Fig 4 shows the variation of reduction in swelling pressure of soil specimens

corresponding to γd = 14kN/ m3 with curing of 30days. The results show that the bio
enzyme stabilization is effective in reducing the swelling pressure of the expansive
soil specimen considerably. The amount of reduction in swell pressure depends on the
initial water content of specimens. For any initial water content, increase in the
concentration of the stabilizer increases the percent reduction in swell pressure. The
swelling pressure is reduced by about 80% for soil specimens that were initially
compacted on wet side of the OMC (33%).

100
γd = 14kN/m3
% Reduction in swell pressure

Curing = 30days
80

60 w=24%
w=29%
w=33%
40

20

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Stabilizer, %

Figure 4: Effect of stabilizer on percent reduction in Swell Pressure.

Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 153

Effect of Curing
To bring out the effect of curing on swell potential and swell pressure, soil specimens
are prepared with different initial compaction conditions and cured for different
curing periods (15days, 30days, 60days, and 120days). After the completion of
required curing, they are subjected to one dimensional consolidation test.
Fig 5 shows a comparison between specimens at three different initial water
content treated with 2% dosage and cured for different periods. The results show that
percentage reduction in swell potential increases initially with curing period and
attains almost a constant value at about 30days period. When the curing was extended
beyond.30days, the further reduction in swell potential is not significant. This trend of
result is observed for entire specimens tested at different initial water content..
Specimens with 29% initial water content exhibited 45% reduction in swell potential
with 30days of curing. Upon further increasing the curing period to 60days, the
reduction was found to be about 50%.
The effect of curing on reduction in swell pressure of 2% bio enzyme treated soil
specimens at different water content is shown in Fig 6. The results indicate an
increase in the reduction of swell pressure with increase in curing period up to 30days
and no appreciable reduction in swell pressure beyond 30days of curing. It is observed
that for different initial water content the trend remains the same. Specimens
compacted to a dry density of 14kN/m3 with 33% initial water content exhibit a
maximum reduction in swell pressure of about 78% after a curing for a period of
30days and after 60days of curing, the specimens achieved about 80% reduction in
swell pressure.

100 100
γd = 14kN/m3 Stabilizer = 2%
Yd = 14kN/m3
% Reduction in swell Pressure

Stabilizer = 2%
% Reduction in swell potential

80 80
w = 24%
w = 29% w = 24%
60 w = 33% 60 w = 29%
w = 33%

40 40

20 20

0
0
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120
Curing period, Days
Curing period, Days

Figure 5: Variation of percent reduction Figure 6: Variation of percent reduction

in swell potential with Curing period. in swell pressure with curing Period.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies

The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies on untreated and bio enzyme treated
specimens were conducted in order to ascertain the reason for reduction in swelling
characteristics.
154 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Fig 7 is a SEM image for specimens with initial dry density of 14kN/m3 and 24%
initial water content (dry of OMC). The image indicates a flocculated structure. Fig 8
shows SEM image of specimens with the same initial compaction conditions and
treated with bio-enzyme. It is seen from Fig 8 that the soil specimens have dispersed
structure upon treatment with bio enzyme. Further, untreated specimens compacted at
wet of optimum moisture content (33%), exhibit dispersed structure as seen in Fig 9.
Upon treatment with 1% bio enzyme, the specimens attain more dispersed structure
than their untreated counter parts (Fig 10).

Figure 7: SEM image of untreated soil Figure 8: SEM image of specimen

specimens (w = 24%). treated with bio enzyme (w = 24%).

Figure 9: SEM image of untreated soil Figure 10: SEM image of specimen
specimen (w = 33%). treated with 1% bio enzyme (w = 33%).

Cation Exchange Capacity

Cation Exchange Capacity of untreated and bio enzyme treated soil specimens have
been determined to find the exchangeable calcium, magnesium, sodium and
potassium ions present. Table 4 presents the CEC values of untreated and bio enzyme
treated soil specimens. As seen from the Table 4, there is no significant difference
Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 155

between the cat ion exchange capacity of untreated and treated specimens. This
indicates that the cat ion exchange capacities of the treated soils are not affected upon
treatment with the bio-enzyme for the dosages as indicated in the Table 4.

Table 4: Cation Exchange Capacity.

Exchangeable Cations, meq/100gm Total

%Bio-enzyme meq/100gm
Ca Mg Na K
77.8
0 46.5 26.5 3.7 1.1
72.5
0.5 43 25 3.4 1.1
83.1
1.0 47.5 31.2 3.5 0.9
82.3
2.0 47 31 3.3 1.0

Mineralogical Properties
The results of XRD studies conducted on untreated and bio-enzyme treated soil
samples are plotted as 2 theta v/s intensity curves.
Fig 11 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of untreated specimens of soil-A. The
X-ray diffraction pattern shows a peak at 14.5 0, peak at 4.45 0, a moderately strong
peak at 4.22 0, and an intense peak at 3.30 0, another peak is seen at 1.8 0. The peak at
14.5 0, is likely to be Montmorillonite and an intense peak at 3.32 0, is interpreted as
Illite (Mitchell, 1993).

Ǻ
I (3.30 )

Ǻ
K (1.80 )

Ǻ Ǻ Ǻ
Q (2.12 )

Ǻ
M (14.5 )

K (4.22 )

Feld (3.19 )

Ǻ Ǻ Ǻ
I (4.43 )

Ǻ
K (2.43 )

Ǻ
I (1.53 )
)

K (1.363 )
Q (2.26

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
2 θ : degrees

Figure 11: XRD pattern of Untreated soil.

156 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara

Fig 12 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of soil treated with 2% bio-enzyme. It
shows a very slight peak at 14.5 0, mild peak at 4.45 0, moderate peak at 4.20, and
strong peak at 3.30 0. This indicates the presence of Montmorillonite, Illite, and
Kaolinite in the treated soil.
On comparing Figs 11, and 12 it is observed that the basal reflection peaks of
minerals Montmorillonite, Illite and Kaolinite has reduced considerably for bio
enzyme treated soil.

Ǻ
I (3.30 )

Ǻ
K (4.20 )

Ǻ
Q(2.27 )

Ǻ Ǻ Ǻ
K(1.80 )
M (14.3 )

I (4.42 )

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
2 θ :degrees

Figure 12: XRD pattern of Soil treated with 2% bio enzyme.

Fig 13 shows the changes in the d spacing of the soil samples. In the X-ray
diffractogram it is seen that there is reduction in the intensity of basal reflection
peaks. A reduction in intensity of minerals Illite (I) and Montmorillonite (M) and
Kaolinite (K) peak indicate that these minerals have been subjected to changes by the
bio-enzyme. The changes may be in terms of reduction in the percentage of these
minerals in the sample leading to reduction in swell properties.

Untreated
Bio enzyme = 1%
Bio enzyme = 2%

K
M

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
d spacing

Figure 13: Variation of counts with d-spacing of soil samples.

Swelling Properties of Bio-enzyme 157

Conclusions and Future Work

Based on the experimental results the following conclusions are drawn.
(1) The soil specimens treated with bio enzyme exhibit lesser percent swell and
swell pressure compared to untreated soil specimens.
(2) Increasing the curing period of bio-enzyme treated specimens beyond 30days
did not yield any further significant reduction in swell properties.
(3) The initial water content present in the soil specimens and the dosage of bio
enzyme added to the soil influences its swelling characteristics.
(4) Scanning electron microscopic studies indicate occurrence of changes in the
fabric of bio-enzyme treated soil specimens. The untreated specimens
displayed flocculated structure and bio-enzyme treated specimens exhibited
dispersed structure. The soil specimens compacted at dry of optimum
generally exhibit flocculated structure which has higher tendency for swelling.
However, bio-enzyme treated specimens exhibited dispersed structure on the
dry side of optimum. Hence a reduction in swelling was observed in bio-
enzyme treated soil specimens.
(5) No significant changes were observed in the Cat ion exchange capacity values
of bio enzyme treated soil samples.
(6) Studies on X-ray diffraction studies indicate that noticeable mineralogical
changes did not occur in bio-enzyme treated soil. However upon treatment
with bio enzyme the intensity of the minerals showed marked reduction up to
80%.
Further studies are needed to explore the long term performance and seasonal
effects on the swelling behaviour of bio enzyme treated expansive soil.

Acknowledgement
The assistance provided by M/S Avijeeth Agencies, Chennai, India, is gratefully
acknowledged.

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160 Sureka Naagesh and S. Gangadhara