Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to strengthening soil and particularly to a method for improving strength of soil.
Description of Related Art
[002] Soil, scientifically known as vertisol, is a unique soil type highly esteemed for its suitability in cotton cultivation. It predominantly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, offering a rich array of essential nutrients such as calcium, carbonate, potash, lime, iron, and magnesium. Notably, this soil type typically exhibits lower levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter. Its fertility is prominent in low-lying regions but diminishes in upland areas. The high clay composition of this soil poses challenges for the establishment and expansion of plant root systems, potentially leading to restricted growth and reduced crop yields.
[003] Additionally, vertisol has poor structural integrity due to significant shrinkage and swelling characteristics. Its behavior is highly unpredictable, particularly with varying moisture levels. Moreover, its high clay content and propensity to harden and form clods when dry present obstacles for farming. Effective soil management techniques, including the addition of organic matter and the use of appropriate irrigation methods, are crucial to maximize its agricultural potential.
[004] However, existing methods to enhance soil strength have limitations, particularly 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 require 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 soils do not respond well to stabilization methods, leading to limited achievable improvements in strength. This limitation is a significant drawback when dealing with particularly challenging soils. There is thus a need for an improved and advanced method for enhancing soil density that can administer the abovementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for enhancing soil density. The method comprising a step of: collecting raw soil from a source; adding reinforcing agents selected from a polypropylene fiber in the collected soil in first proportionate amount rangings from 0.1 percentage (%) to 0.2 percentage (%); adding stabilising agents selected from Ecosand, and Metakaolin in the collected soil in a second proportionate amount and a third proportionate amount; mixing the reinforcing agents and the stabilising agents manually by adding a controlled amount of water to obtain a sample mixture; keeping the sample mixture for the Freeze and Thraw cycles; conducting a standard compaction test for the sample mixture; determining a maximum dry density and an optimum moisture content for the sample mixture; and evaluating a strength of the sample mixture based on determined maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide several advantages depending on configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing soil density.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing soil density that is easily reproducible.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing soil density that prevents soil degradation and promotes soil stability.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing soil density that increases a compressive strength of the soil.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method for enhancing soil density that increases shear strength.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1A depicts a reinforcing agent, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B depicts stabilising agents, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components used for enhancing soil density, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for improving a strength of soil using freeze-thaw cycles, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] 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
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] FIG. 1A depicts reinforcing agents 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reinforcing agents 100 may be added to raw soil to enhance a structural integrity, a stability, and a strength of the raw soil. In an embodiment of the present invention, the raw soil may be obtained from a source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source to obtain the raw soil 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 may be obtained, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the soil 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, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] The reinforcing agents 100 may be, but not limited to a polypropylene fiber. In an embodiment of the present invention, a type of the polypropylene fiber may be, but not limited to, an isotactic polypropylene, a syndiotactic polypropylene, an atactic polypropylene, a blend of polypropylene with other polymers, a modified polypropylene, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type the polypropylene fiber, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing agents 100 may be added in the raw soil in a first proportionate amount rangings from 0.1 percentage (%) to 0.2 percentage (%). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two soil samples may be prepared by adding 0.1% and 0.2% of the reinforcing agents 100, respectively.
[0026] FIG. 1B depicts stabilising agents 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. The stabilising agents 102 may be selected from Ecosand, and Metakaolin. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Ecosand may be added to the collected soil in a second proportionate amount. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second proportionate amount of the Ecosand may be 10%. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Metakaolin may be added to the collected soil in a third proportionate amount. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third proportionate amount of the Metakaolin may be 5%.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, a sample mixture may be prepared by mixing the reinforcing agents 100, the stabilising agents 102, and a controlled amount of water in the raw soil. The sample mixture may be kept for Freeze and Thraw cycles. The Freeze and Thraw cycles may be four in number, in an embodiment of the present invention. The Freeze and Thaw cycles may simulate and assess a structural behavior of the sample mixture under varying temperature conditions to provide valuable data for evaluating its performance and durability. During the freezing phase, the sample mixture may experience sub-zero temperatures, causing a water content within the sample mixture to freeze and expand. This expansion may exert a stress and a pressure on the sample mixture, including its reinforcing and stabilizing components. Further, the thawing phase may involve exposing the sample mixture to warmer temperatures, leading to the thawing or melting of the previously frozen water. This phase may allow the sample mixture to return to its original state or potentially undergo slight changes due to the stress endured during freezing.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components 200 used for improving the strength of the soil, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components 200 used to improve and evaluate the strength of the soil may be, a mould 202, a mixing apparatus 204, a curing apparatus 206, and a sensor 208.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mould 202 may be configured to conduct a standard compaction test of the soil mixed with the variable proportions of the reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the standard compaction test may determine a dry density and a moisture content of the soil. In an embodiment of the present invention, the dry density and the moisture content of the soil may be determined to establish a baseline for subsequent improvements in the strength of the black cotton soil. In an embodiment of the present invention, an internal diameter of the mould 202 may be in a range of 8 centimeter (cm) diameter to 15 cm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compaction test may be conducted using the mould 202 with the internal diameter of 10.2 cm and a height of 11.6 cm.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mould 202 used for compaction may be cleaned and prepared to prevent contamination and maintain an integrity of the compacted soil during testing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the 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 mould 202, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing apparatus 204 may be configured to mix the variable proportions of the reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102 with the compacted soil. 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.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing of the variable proportions of the reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102 with the compacted soil 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 reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102 with the compacted soil involves mechanical agitation to uniformly distribute the reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102 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 206 may be configured to allow the sample mixture to cure for a specified curing duration. The sample mixture may be subjected to the curing apparatus 206 to allow the sample mixture to cure for the specified curing duration before the compaction test.
[0034] 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 reinforcing agents 100, the stabilising agents 102 and the raw soil. 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.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 208 may be configured to detect the moisture content of the sample mixture. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensor 208, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0036] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for improving strength of the soil using the freeze-thaw cycles. At step 302, the raw soil is collected from the source. The raw soil may be sieved to remove larger particles.
[0037] At step 304, the collected soil may be added with the reinforcing agents (100) in the first proportionate amount range from 0.1 percentage (%) to 0.2 percentage (%).
[0038] At step 306, the collected soil may be added with the stabilising agents 102 selected from Ecosand, and Metakaolin in a second proportionate amount and a third proportionate amount.
[0039] At step 308, the collected soil may mix the reinforcing agents 100 and the stabilising agents 102 manually by adding a controlled amount of water to obtain a sample mixture.
[0040] At step 310, the sample mixture may be kept for the Freeze and Thraw cycles.
[0041] At step 312, the sample mixture may undergo a standard compaction test. Results of the standard compaction test may be analyzed for the sample mixture to determine a maximum dry density and an optimum moisture content.
[0042] At step 314, the maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content for the sample mixture may be determined.
[0043] At step 316, the strength of the sample mixture may be evaluated based on the determined maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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 strength of soil using freeze-thaw cycles, the method (300) comprising steps characterized by:
collecting raw soil from a source;
adding reinforcing agents (100) selected from a polypropylene fiber in the collected soil in a first proportionate amount rangings from 0.1 percentage (%) to 0.2 percentage (%);
adding stabilising agents (102) selected from Ecosand, and Metakaolin in the collected soil in a second proportionate amount and a third proportionate amount;
mixing the reinforcing agents (100) and the stabilising agents (102) manually by adding a controlled amount of water to obtain a sample mixture;
keeping the sample mixture for the Freeze and Thraw cycles;
conducting a standard compaction test for the sample mixture;
determining a maximum dry density and an optimum moisture content for the sample mixture; and
evaluating a strength of the sample mixture based on determined maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content.
2. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a step of analyzing results of the standard compaction test for the sample mixture.
3. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the raw soil is Black Cotton soil.
4. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second proportionate amount of the Ecosand may be 10%.
5. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third proportionate amount of the Metakaolin may be 5%.

6. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compaction test is conducted using a mould (202) with an internal diameter of 10.2 centimeter (cm) and a height of 11.6 centimeter (cm).
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing agents (100) are added to the raw soil through a normal hand mixing.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilising agents (102) are added to the raw soil through a normal hand mixing.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein The sample mixture is subjected to a curing apparatus (206) to allow the sample mixture to cure for a specified curing duration before the compaction test.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optimum moisture content is determined using a sensor (208).
Date: October 26, 2023
Place: Noida

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