Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method for enhancing a stability of a soil sample. More specifically, the invention pertains to a method that stabilizes soil by using specific admixtures to improve its consistency and strength by adjusting the moisture content.
Description of Related Art
[002] Stabilization of soil is an essential aspect of construction and civil engineering projects, ensuring the desired strength and stability of the ground to support structures and ensure project safety and longevity. Atterberg limits are extensively used to characterize the behavior of fine-grained soil, providing crucial parameters such as the liquid limit and plastic limit that guide soil stabilization methods.
[003] In prior arts, various methods have been utilized for soil stabilization. Traditional approaches typically involve the use of cement, lime, or other chemical stabilizers to modify soil properties. However, these methods exhibit specific drawbacks and limitations. Many traditional stabilization methods exhibit limited applicability, especially for soils with extreme compositions or properties. Highly organic or expansive clay soils, for example, do not respond effectively to conventional stabilizers.
[004] Certain chemical stabilizers used in traditional methods pose environmental concerns due to the release of harmful substances into the soil or groundwater during the stabilization process. The cost associated with procuring and applying traditional stabilizing agents like cement or lime can be significant, particularly for large-scale projects. This cost factor becomes a limitation for projects with tight budget constraints.
[005] Traditional methods can be time-consuming, requiring extended periods for curing or achieving the desired stabilization effect. Delays in achieving stability can impact project timelines. Traditional stabilization methods lack precision in achieving the desired soil stabilization level. Attaining a consistent and uniform stabilization effect across the entire soil mass may pose challenges. Some conventional stabilizers do not impart the desired strength gain to the soil, especially when dealing with weak or poorly compacted soils. This limitation can affect the overall stability of the structure.
[006] Handling and Storage Issues: Certain traditional stabilizing agents have specific handling and storage requirements, making them cumbersome for on-site applications, especially in remote or challenging terrains. Addressing these drawbacks and limitations is crucial in developing an improved and efficient soil stabilization method that overcomes these challenges to ensure better adaptability, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and enhanced stability of the soil.
[007] Thus, there is thus a need for an improved and advanced method for enhancing soil stability that can administer the abovementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[008] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample based on Atterberg limits. The method comprising steps of determining a liquid limit and a plastic limit of the soil sample using an Atterberg limit testing procedure; identifying a moisture content level at which the soil consistency transitions from the liquid limit to the plastic limit; adding proportionate amounts of admixtures in the soil sample. The admixtures are selected from a Lignosulphonate, a Lime, a Metakaolin, a Glass Fiber, a Sodium Silicate, a Supplementary Cementitious Material, a pozzolanic material or a combination thereof. The method further comprising steps of uniformly mixing the soil sample and the admixtures; and obtaining the stabilized soil mixture by gradually adding water based on the identified moisture content level.
[009] Embodiments of the present invention may provide several advantages depending on configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample that is easily reproducible.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample that prevents soil degradation and promotes soil stability.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample that increases compressive strength of the soil.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing stability of a soil sample that increases shear strength.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] 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
[0016] 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:
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a soil sample, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components used for enhancing stability of the soil sample, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for enhancing stability of the soil sample, 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. 1 depicts a soil sample 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be obtained in a first proportionate amount. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first proportionate amount or a quantity of the soil sample 100 may be 130 grams. In another embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be taken in any quantity. In an embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be obtained from a specified source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the specified source to obtain the soil sample 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 soil sample 100 may be obtained, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the soil sample 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 soil sample 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] The soil sample 100 may be subjected to an Atterberg limit testing procedure for determining a liquid limit and a plastic limit of the soil sample 100. In the present invention, the Atterberg limit testing procedure may aid in enhancing the stability of the soil sample 100 based on the Atterberg limits. The Atterberg limits may include a liquid limit and a plastic limit for characterizing a behavior of the soil sample 100. The Atterberg limit testing procedure may involve determining the liquid limit and plastic limit of the soil sample 100 using a standard Atterberg limit testing apparatus (not shown). The liquid limit may represent a moisture content at which the soil transitions from a plastic to a liquid state, while the plastic limit signifies the moisture content where the soil changes from a semisolid to the plastic state. Based on the liquid limit and plastic limit determinations, the moisture content levels at transition points may be analyzed, guiding a subsequent stabilization process. Before conducting the stabilization process, the soil sample 100 may be passed through a sieve 206 (as shown in the FIG. 2).
[0027] Further, the soil sample 100 may be added with proportionate amounts of admixtures that may be, but not limited to, a Lignosulphonate, a Lime, a Metakaolin, a Glass Fiber, a Sodium Silicate, a Supplementary Cementitious Material, a pozzolanic material, and so forth. The proportionate amounts of the admixtures added to the soil sample 100 may be determined based on an optimized percentage relative to a dry weight of the soil sample 100. The proportionate amounts of each of the admixtures may be adjusted to achieve an optimum stabilization effect. The uniform mixing of the soil and the admixtures may be carried out using the mixing apparatus 202 (as shown in the FIG. 2).
[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate may be added in the proportionate amount of 6.5 grams in the 130 grams of the soil sample 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate may be taken in any quantity. Further, the soil sample 100 may be added with water, gradually, to obtain a stabilized soil mixture based on the identified moisture content level using the Atterberg limit testing procedure. The stabilized soil mixture may be cured to enhance a strength and stability of the soil using a curing apparatus 204 (as shown in the FIG. 2), according to the embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a duration for stabilization of the soil sample 100 may be around 5 minutes.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the Lignosulphonate may be, but not limited to, a sodium lignosulfonate, a magnesium lignosulfonate, a calcium lignosulfonate, an ammonium lignosulfonate, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type the Lignosulphonate, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate may be derived from a plant source. In another embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 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, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Lignosulphonate 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, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components 200 used for enhancing the stability of the soil sample, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components 200 used to improve and evaluate the strength of the soil may be, the mixing apparatus 202, the curing apparatus 204, and the sieve 206.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing apparatus 202 may be configured to mix the admixtures with the soil sample 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing apparatus 202 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 202, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing of the admixtures with the soil sample 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 hand mixing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the normal hand mixing of the admixtures with the soil sample 100 may involve mechanical agitation to uniformly distribute the Lignosulphonate throughout the soil. 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.
[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the curing apparatus 204 may be configured to allow the soil mixture to cure for a specified curing duration. The soil mixture with the Lignosulphonate may be subjected to the curing apparatus 204 to allow the soil mixed with the Lignosulphonate to cure for the specified curing duration before the compaction test. 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 and the soil sample 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the curing apparatus 204 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 204, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sieve 206 may be 425µ sieve. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sieve 206, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. The sieve 206 may be used for removal of larger particles and agglomerates that may otherwise interfere with the admixture integration and uniform mixing. The sieve 206 may assist in achieving a more consistent and finely graded soil composition for optimizing the stabilization effect and enhancing overall soil stability.
[0035] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for enhancing stability of a soil sample 100 based on Atterberg limits.
[0036] At step 302, the soil sample 100 may be subjected to the Atterberg limit testing procedure for determining the liquid limit and the plastic limit of the soil sample 100.
[0037] At step 304, the moisture content level at which the soil consistency transitions from the liquid limit to the plastic limit is identified.
[0038] At step 306, the soil sample 100 may be added with the admixtures in the proportionate amounts.
[0039] At step 308, the soil sample 100 may be uniformly mix with the admixtures.
[0040] At step 310, the soil sample 100 may be obtained as the stabilized soil mixture by gradually adding the water based on the identified moisture content level.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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 enhancing stability of a soil sample (100) based on Atterberg limits, characterized by the method (300) comprising steps of:
determining a liquid limit and a plastic limit of the soil sample (100) using an Atterberg limit testing procedure;
identifying a moisture content level at which the soil consistency transitions from the liquid limit to the plastic limit;
adding proportionate amounts of admixtures in the soil sample (100), wherein the admixtures are selected from a Lignosulphonate, a Lime, a Metakaolin, a Glass Fiber, a Sodium Silicate, a Supplementary Cementitious Material, a pozzolanic material or a combination thereof;
uniformly mixing the soil sample and the admixtures; and
obtaining the stabilized soil mixture by gradually adding water based on the identified moisture content level.
2. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proportionate amounts of the admixtures added to the soil sample (100) are determined based on an optimized percentage relative to a dry weight of the soil sample (100).
3. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of adding the admixtures includes adjusting the proportionate amounts of each of the admixtures to achieve an optimum stabilization effect.
4. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the uniform mixing of the soil and admixtures is carried out using a mixing apparatus (202).
5. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilized soil mixture is cured to enhance a strength and stability of the soil using a curing apparatus (204).
6. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a duration for stabilization of the soil sample (100) is 5 minutes.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the soil sample (100) is passed through a sieve (206) before conducting the stabilization process.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a quantity of the soil sample (100) is 130 grams.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Lignosulphonate is added in the proportionate amount of 6.5 grams in the soil sample (100).
Date: October 10, 2023
Place: Noida

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