International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Black cotton soil (BCS), also known as expansive soil, poses significant challenges in civil engineering due to its high swell-shrink potential, low bearing capacity, and poor shear strength. This review synthesizes findings from 18 recent and historical studies on BCS stabilization, focusing on chemical, mechanical, waste-based, bio-enzyme, and advanced predictivemethods.Materialssuchaslime,cement,flyash,industrialwastes(e.g.,copperslag, FGD gypsum, construction demolition waste), geosynthetics (e.g., geonet, fibers), and bio- enzymes(e.g.,Terazyme)havebeenevaluatedforimprovingpropertieslikeCaliforniaBearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Atterberg limits, and compaction characteristics. Key outcomes highlight sustainable waste utilization for enhanced soil performance, with optimal mixes achieving up to 12-fold CBR improvements. The review underscores the need for eco-friendly, cost-effective approaches in road subgrade and foundation applications, while identifying gaps in long-term durability and field-scale validation.

Key-Words:- Black Cotton Soil, Soil Stabilization, California Bearing Ratio, Unconfined Compressive Strength, Sustainable Materials