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Performance evaluation of stabilized clay using sodium lignosulphonate
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  • Published: 14 March 2026

Performance evaluation of stabilized clay using sodium lignosulphonate

  • Ashutosh Kumar1,
  • Prashant Kumar2,
  • Awdhesh Kumar Choudhary3 &
  • …
  • Bamidele Charles Olaiya4 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Engineering
  • Environmental sciences
  • Materials science

Abstract

Rapid urbanization often demands the development of infrastructure on challenging soils, necessitating strengthening and improvement. This study explores the application of Sodium Lignosulphonate (LS), a by-product of the paper and wood pulp industry, as an eco-friendly, non-toxic stabilizer for low-plasticity clay (CL, PI ≈ 24%). Through a series of laboratory tests, including Atterberg’s limit, unconfined compression strength (UCS), swell pressure, and CBR, the engineering properties of the stabilized soil were assessed. The results show that as the LS content increases, the plasticity index (PI) of the soil decreases, and the UCS value increases, reaching a maximum UCS value at 0.75% LS content. Higher LS dosages (> 0.75%) resulted in gradual strength reduction due to excessive polymer chain formation and particle repulsion. Additionally, CBR tests on the soil treated with 0.75% LS after a 14-day curing period revealed significant improvements. Microstructural analysis demonstrated that LS created a bonding substance that coated soil particles, filling pores and binding them together, thereby enhancing soil stability and strength. Furthermore, increasing the curing time further enhanced strength and reduced swelling characteristics, as LS established a strong bonding between soil particles. This research underscores the potential of LS as a soil stabilizer, offering durability and sustainability to infrastructure in urban areas facing challenging soil conditions.

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Data availability

Data used in the study is present in the manuscript.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully thank the authors’ respective institutions for their strong support of this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, 517102, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Ashutosh Kumar

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India

    Prashant Kumar

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jamshedpur, 831014, Jharkhand, India

    Awdhesh Kumar Choudhary

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda

    Bamidele Charles Olaiya

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  1. Ashutosh Kumar
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  2. Prashant Kumar
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  3. Awdhesh Kumar Choudhary
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Contributions

Ashutosh Kumar: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Prashant Kumar: Project administration, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. Awdhesh Kumar Choudhary: Project administration, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Bamidele Charles Olaiya: Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bamidele Charles Olaiya.

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Kumar, A., Kumar, P., Choudhary, A.K. et al. Performance evaluation of stabilized clay using sodium lignosulphonate. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44155-7

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  • Received: 03 November 2025

  • Accepted: 10 March 2026

  • Published: 14 March 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44155-7

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Keywords

  • Clay
  • Sodium Lignosulphonate (LS)
  • Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS)
  • CBR
  • Curing period
  • SEM
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