Experimental Investigation and Artificial Neural Network Modelling of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-Stabilized Black Cotton Soil

Black cotton soil (BCS) is a type of expansive soil that exhibits moisture sensitivity, unstable volume, and unstable bearing capacity behaviour, which can have a negative impact on the performance of pavement subgrades and other geotechnical structures. The current research examines the possibilities of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), a product derived from agricultural waste, to alter the geotechnical characteristics of black cotton soil. Six blends were taken into account, including SCBA content of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% % of the dry soil mass of the starting material. Specific gravity, consistency limits, compaction characteristics, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and swelling-related behaviour were the subject of the experimental programme in order to measure the effect of adding higher SCBA dosage on soil performance. Specific gravity was reported to have increased at 25% SCBA to 2.57 compared to 2.41 at 20% untreated soil and continued to 33.56 at 25%. The reported flow index also dropped to about 41 compared to 67.97 in the dosage range investigated, exhibiting variations in the consistency response of the soil-ash mixtures. The results of the compaction revealed that maximum dry density decreased by 1.610 g/cm 3 to a maximum of 1.630 g/cm 3 at 20% SCBA, and optimum moisture content rose by 20% to 24%. These results suggest that the addition of SCBA alters the consistency and compaction properties of the studied soil, but the extent and the engineering implications of the changes are dependent on the dose. The research offers an experimental foundation for testing SCBA as a prospective additive to enhance black cotton soil performance and the significance of finding an optimal dosage by conducting a joint examination of plasticity, compaction, bearing capacity, and swelling behaviour. The reported indices of plasticity and swelling-pressure outcomes should be further verified before a conclusive optimum dosage or overall benefit of the stabilisation is derived.