Enhancing Unconfined Compressive Strength of Organic Soil with Banana Fibre and Fly Ash as Admixture

The increasing demand for soils with poor geotechnical properties, including organic soil, due to limited land resources, population growth, and urbanization, has led to the exploration of various stabilization practices. However, conventional approaches have often resulted in environmental degradation. To address this, there is a growing interest in eco-friendly soil stabilization methods to ensure sustainable land use. This study aims to investigate the impact of banana fibre (an agricultural waste product) and fly ash (an industrial by-product) on organic soil stabilization, offering an environmentally friendly alternative. Standard Proctor tests and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests were conducted on organic soil samples reinforced with different percentages of banana fibre (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1%) and fly ash (10, 15, 20, and 25%). This allowed for a comprehensive comparison of soil performance under various combinations. The UCS values of the banana fibre and fly ash-treated soil exhibited the highest strength at 159.32 KN/m2, representing a remarkable 50% increase compared to the natural soil. The optimum combination for compressive strength was determined as 0.75% banana fibre and 20% fly ash. These percentages were identified as the most effective in enhancing the strength of the organic soil.