Geological Insights into Eco-Friendly Soil Stabilization for Land-Use Sustainability

ABSTRACT Soil stabilization is a critical process aimed at strengthening the engineering properties of soils, especially in connection with the construction and development of infrastructure. This study focuses on stabilizing black cotton soil (BC). The BC soil is known for its high plasticity and swelling behaviour, which represents challenges for basic stability and performance of structures. In this research, stabilization techniques were evaluated, including chemical methods, to improve the capacity of the soil, reduce plasticity indices and alleviate the potential of shrinkage. Experimental investigation was carried out to assess the efficiency of various stabilizers, including cement, GGBFS and metakaolin, on compacted characteristics and strength characteristics of BC soil. The soil treated was subjected to geotechnical tests such as compacted tests and CBR. The results indicated a significant improvement in the engineering properties of BC soil with optimum value, resulting in increased strength and reduced plasticity. The study also examined the environmental consequences of the use of industrial by -products for stabilization and emphasized sustainable construction procedures. The finding supports the use of these methodologies for efficient soil control and offers practical solutions for building engineering applications involving BC soil. This research contributes to geotechnical engineering by providing insight into stabilization mechanisms and their suitability to increase soil performance in different environmental conditions.