Direct Shear Testing of Coal Dust Mixed Pilani Soil at Three Different Water Contents

Abstract

Shear strength of soil is an important geotechnical design consideration. It depends on its cohesion & angle of internal friction value. Coal dust is available as waste material with domestic cooking coal suppliers at very small price in India. Shear strength parameters (cohesion and angle of internal friction) of soil are altered when coal dust is mixed in soil. They are conveniently determined from direct shear testing for freely draining soils like Pilani soil. In the present experimental study, four different percentages of coal dust was added in local Pilani soil. In these soil-coal dust mixtures, three different water contents were added (0%, in-situ & in-situ saturation). Direct shear testing on these samples was conducted to find out cohesion and angle of internal friction variation. Results of the experiments were analyzed. Practical significance of the obtained experimental results was also discussed.