Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to strengthening black cotton soil and particularly to a method for improving and evaluating a strength of the black cotton soil.
Description of Related Art
[002] Black cotton soil, scientifically known as vertisol, is a unique soil type highly valued for its suitability in cotton cultivation. This variant of soil is predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, offering a rich array of essential nutrients such as calcium, carbonate, potash, lime, iron, and magnesium. Notably, black cotton soil typically exhibits lower levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter. Its fertility is prominent in low-lying regions but diminishes in upland areas. The soil's high clay composition poses challenges for establishing and expanding plant root systems, potentially leading to restricted growth and reduced crop yields.
[003] In addition, black cotton soil has poor strength due to its significant shrinkage and swelling characteristics. The behavior of this soil is highly unpredictable, particularly with varying moisture levels. Moreover, its high clay content and tendency to harden and form clods when dry present obstacles for farming. Effective soil management techniques, including the addition of organic matter and utilizing appropriate irrigation methods, are crucial to maximize its agricultural potential.
[004] However, existing methods to improve the strength of black cotton soil have limitations, notably in terms of cost. Soil stabilization techniques, such as the addition of specific chemicals or extensive mechanical processes, can contribute to soil pollution and may not be economically viable, especially for smaller-scale projects or regions with limited resources. Additionally, soil stabilization processes often necessitate curing and testing, causing delays in construction schedules, and making them less suitable for projects with tight timelines.
[005] Furthermore, the use of stabilizing agents, especially chemical additives, raises environmental concerns by introducing non-environmentally friendly chemicals into the soil. Some black cotton soils do not respond well to stabilization methods, leading to limited achievable improvement in strength. This limitation is a significant drawback when dealing with particularly challenging soils.
[006] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced method for improving and evaluating the strength of the black cotton soil that can administer the abovementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil. The method comprising a step of obtaining a first proportionate amount of the black cotton soil from a specified source; determining a dry density and a moisture content of the obtained black cotton soil from a compaction test; compacting the black cotton soil using a split mould; mixing a second proportionate amount of a Lignosulphonate with the compacted black cotton soil using a normal mixing method; allowing the mixed black cotton soil and the Lignosulphonate to cure for a specified curing duration; conducting an unconfined compression test on the cured black cotton soil; and analyzing the strength of the black cotton soil using a stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide several advantages depending on configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil that is easily reproducible.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil that prevents soil degradation and promotes soil stability.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil that increases compressive strength of the soil.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil that increases shear strength.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible by utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1A depicts black cotton soil, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1B depicts a Lignosulphonate, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components used for improving and evaluating a strength of the black cotton soil, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for improving and evaluating the strength of the black cotton soil, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0022] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0023] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0024] FIG. 1A depicts black cotton soil 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a sample of the black cotton soil 100 may be obtained in a first proportionate amount. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample of the black cotton soil 100 may be obtained from a specified source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the specified source to obtain the black cotton soil 100 may be, but not limited to, a semi-arid region, a poor drainage area, a good drainage area, a wet area, a dry land, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any source from where the black cotton soil 100 may be obtained, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first proportionate amount may be in a range from 100 grams (gm) to 150 grams (gm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first proportionate amount of the black cotton soil 100 may be 130 gm.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the black cotton soil 100 may be, but not limited to, a hardpan black cotton soil, a fertile black cotton soil, a saline black cotton soil, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the black cotton soil 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] FIG. 1B depicts a Lignosulphonate 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the Lignosulphonate 102 may be, but not limited to, a sodium lignosulfonate, a magnesium lignosulfonate, a calcium lignosulfonate, an ammonium lignosulfonates, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type the Lignosulphonate 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 102 may be derived from a plant source. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 102 may be derived using methods such as but not limited to, a traditional sulfite pulping, a modified sulfite pulping, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the method used to obtain the Lignosulphonate 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 102 may be utilized in a form such as, but not limited to, a powder, granules, a liquid solution, a semi liquid solution, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any form of the Lignosulphonate 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 102 may be added and mixed in a second proportionate amount in the black cotton soil 100. The second proportionate amount of the Lignosulphonate 102 may be in a range of 3.5 percentage (% ) to 7 percentage (%) of the first proportionate amount of a dry weight of the black cotton soil 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second proportionate amount of the Lignosulphonate 102 may be 5%.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components 200 used for improving and evaluating the strength of the black cotton soil 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components 200 used to improve and evaluate the strength of the black cotton soil 100 may be, a split mould 202, a mixing apparatus 204, a curing apparatus 206, and a testing apparatus 208.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the split mould 202 may be configured to conduct a compaction test on the black cotton soil 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the compaction test may determine a dry density and a moisture content of the black cotton soil 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dry density and the moisture content of the black cotton soil 100 may be determined to establish a baseline for subsequent improvements in the strength of the black cotton soil.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, a diameter of the split mould 202 may be in a range of 35 millimeter (mm) diameter to 40 millimeter (mm). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the split mould 202 may be 38 mm. In another embodiment of the present invention, a length of the split mould 202 may be in a range of 74 mm to 78 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the split mould 202 may be 76 mm. In an embodiment of the present invention, the split mould 202 diameter and length may be selected to simulate real-world soil conditions.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the split mould 202 used for compaction may be cleaned and prepared to prevent contamination and maintain an integrity of the compacted black cotton soil 100 during testing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the split mould 202 may be, but not limited to, a two-plate mould, a three-plate mould, a multilevel injection mould, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the split mould 202, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing apparatus 204 may be configured to mix the second proportionate amount of the Lignosulphonate 102 with the compacted black cotton soil 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing apparatus 204 may be, a hand blender, a mixer, a stirrer, a spoon, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the mixing apparatus 204, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing of the second proportionate amount of the Lignosulphonate 102 with the compacted black cotton soil 100 may be conducted using methods such as, but not limited to, a hand mixing pattern, a machine based mixing, a blending mixing pattern, a conventional missing pattern, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mixing method is a normal mixing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the normal mixing of the Lignosulphonate 102 with the compacted black cotton soil 100 involves mechanical agitation to uniformly distribute the Lignosulphonate 102 throughout the black cotton soil 100. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the methods used for the mixing, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the curing apparatus 206 may be configured to allow the mixed black cotton soil 100 and the Lignosulphonate 102 to cure for a specified curing duration. In an embodiment of the present invention, the specified curing duration may be in a range from 24 hours to 48 hours. In an embodiment of the present invention, the curing may be allowed at an ambient temperature for optimal interaction between the Lignosulphonate 102 and the black cotton soil 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the curing apparatus 206 may be, but not limited to, a curing chamber, a container, a plate, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the curing apparatus 206, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies
[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the testing apparatus 208 may be configured to conduct an unconfined compression test on the cured black cotton soil 100 for analyzing the strength. In an embodiment of the present invention, the strength of the black cotton soil 100 may be analyzed using a stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test may be analyzed to identify critical points such as, but not limited to, a yield strength, an ultimate strength, and so forth. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress-strain curve may be analyzed coupled with a microscopic examination of the cured black cotton soil 100 to understand the structural changes and interactions induced by the Lignosulphonate 102 at a microscopic level, providing insights into the soil strengthening mechanism.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, multiple unconfined compression test results may be recorded and compared on black cotton soil 100 samples treated with varying proportions of the Lignosulphonate 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the testing apparatus 208 may be configured to perform a shear strength test on the cured black cotton soil 100 to quantify the improvement in shear strength achieved through the addition of the Lignosulphonate 102.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the testing apparatus 208 for conducting the unconfined compression test may be, but not limited to, a deformation dial gauge, a vernier calipers, an unconfined compression test apparatus - (SICSUCA-01), a compression testing machine, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the testing apparatus 208, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for improving and evaluating the strength of the black cotton soil 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] At step 302, the black cotton soil 100 may be obtained in the first proportionate amount from the specified source.
[0043] At step 304, the dry density and the moisture content of the black cotton soil 100 may be determined from the compaction test.
[0044] At step 306, the black cotton soil 100 may be compacted using the split mould 202.
[0045] At step 308, the second proportionate amount of the Lignosulphonate 102 may be mixed with the compacted black cotton soil 100 using the normal mixing method.
[0046] At step 310, the mixed black cotton soil 100 and the Lignosulphonate 102 may be allowed to cure for the specified curing duration.
[0047] At step 312, the shear strength test may be performed on the cured black cotton soil 100 to quantify the improvement in the shear strength achieved through the addition of the Lignosulphonate 102.
[0048] At step 314, the unconfined compression test may be conducted on the cured black cotton soil 100.
[0049] At step 316, the strength of the black cotton soil 100 may be analyzed using the stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test.
[0050] At step 318, the multiple unconfined compression tests conducted on the black cotton soil 100 may be recorded and compared treated with varying proportions of the Lignosulphonate 102.
[0051] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0052] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A method (300) for improving and evaluating a strength of black cotton soil (100), characterized by the method (300) comprising steps of:
obtaining a first proportionate amount of the black cotton soil (100) from a specified source;
determining a dry density and a moisture content of the obtained black cotton soil (100) from a compaction test;
compacting the black cotton soil (100) using a split mould (202);
mixing a second proportionate amount of a Lignosulphonate (102) with the compacted black cotton soil (100) using a normal mixing method;
allowing the mixed black cotton soil (100) and the Lignosulphonate (102) to cure for a specified curing duration;
conducting an unconfined compression test on the cured black cotton soil (100); and
analyzing the strength of the black cotton soil (100) using a stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test.
2. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a step of recording and comparing results of multiple unconfined compression tests conducted on the black cotton soil (100) samples treated with varying proportions of the Lignosulphonate (102).
3. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a step of performing a shear strength test on the cured black cotton soil (100) to quantify the improvement in shear strength achieved through the addition of the Lignosulphonate (102).
4. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dry density and the moisture content of the black cotton soil (100) are determined to establish a baseline for subsequent improvements in the strength of the black cotton soil (100).
5. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compaction test is conducted using the split mould (202) of 38 millimeter (mm) diameter and 76 millimeter (mm) length to simulate real-world soil conditions.
6. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curing duration is between 24 hours to 48 hours at an ambient temperature, allows for optimal interaction between the Lignosulphonate (102) and the black cotton soil (100).
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the split mould (202) used for compaction is cleaned and prepared to prevent contamination and maintain an integrity of the compacted black cotton soil (100) during testing.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stress-strain curve generated during the unconfined compression test is analyzed to identify critical points selected from a yield strength, an ultimate strength, or a combination thereof.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the analysis of the stress-strain curve is coupled with microscopic examination of the cured black cotton soil (100) to understand the structural changes and interactions induced by the Lignosulphonate (102) at a microscopic level, providing insights into the soil strengthening mechanism.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the normal mixing of the Lignosulphonate (102) with the compacted black cotton soil (100) involves mechanical agitation to uniformly distribute the Lignosulphonate (102) throughout the black cotton soil (100).

Date: September 29, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant