International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management Volume-3, Issue-3, March-2020 www.ijresm.com | ISSN (Online): 2581-5792 377 Abstract: Soil stabilization is a process which improves the geotechnical properties of the soil, such as increasing in strength, bearing capacity etc. which can be done by the use of controlled compaction or addition of suitable mixtures and waste materials. This new technique of soil stabilization can be effectively used to meet the challenges of the society to reduce the quantities of waste, producing useful stabilization from plastic waste. Use of plastic products is increasing day by day leading to various environmental concerns. Therefore, the disposal of plastic wastes without causing any ecological hazards has become a real challenge. Thus, using plastic as soil stabilizer is an ecological utilization since there is scarcity of good soil for construction. The aim of this project is to study the effect of plastic waste on the unconfined compressive strength of laterite soil. The samples were prepared by mixing the percentage of plastic and soil as 4%, 8%, and 12% by the dry weight at different curing periods such as 0, 7 and 14 days. Standard proctor test, unconfined compressive strength, liquid limit and plastic limit tests are performed to analyze compressive strength, maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soil mixture. Keywords: Laterite soil, Plastic powder. 1. Introduction Presently every road construction project will use stabilization strategies. The most well-known type of mechanical soil stabilization is compaction of the soil. The grain size distribution and Atterberg limits, such as liquid limits and plasticity index is use to classify the soil properties. There are different types of additives available. Not all additives work for all soil types. Generally, an additive may be used to act as binder, after the effect of moisture, increase the soil density. Following are some most widely used additives cement, fly ash, lime, bitumen emulsion etc. Plastics are considered as one of the important inventions which has remarkably assisted in different aspect of life whether in the scientific field or others. It is considered as one of the most hazardous pollutants of environment as it would not decay or can’t be destroyed rather interferes with the decaying of other components. So, the only way to reduce these hazards of this non- biodegradable materiel is to use it in different application in engineering field beneficially. With the huge demand of construction render the civil engineers to use the weak lands as construction site after treating the soil medium by different stabilizers. Nowadays the civil engineers are using non-traditional stabilizing agent in ground improvement technique. Application of plastic waste in various forms is one of the emerging areas of ground improvement technique. The implementation of plastic waste as stabilizer is economic and eco-friendly. Experiments were done with Plastic contents such as 0 %, 4 %, 8% and 12% at different curing periods such as 0, 7 and 14 days. The plastic wastes in the form of powder could be mixed with soil and it can be improving the strength of soil. Hence uses of plastic waste for improving the engineering properties of soil are taken up in the present study. One method to reduce some portion of the plastic waste disposal problem is by recycling and utilizing these materials in the stabilization of expansive soil. One method to reduce some portion of the plastic waste disposal problem is by recycling and utilizing these materials in the stabilization of expansive soil. 2. Objectives The main objective of this experimental study is to improve the properties of the soil by adding plastic powder as stabilizing agent and make economical and to maintain environmental balance, and avoid problems of waste plastic disposal. An attempt has been made to use plastic waste for improving the strength and geotechnical properties of soil. The experiments which to be conducted are specific gravity of the soil sample, grain size distribution of soil sample and Atterberg limit test to identify the material and standard proctor test to obtain maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soil sample, unconfined compressive strength test for obtaining shear strength of soil. So, the main objective is to increase the unconfined compressive strength of soil by the addition of plastic of various percentages. 3. Scope The safety and stability of a structure is depending on the performance of foundation on which structure is resting. The design construction and performance of foundation is very much depending on the strength and properties of bearing strata that is the soil. By adding plastic to the soil, the strength of soil will be improved. So that bearing capacity of soil is increased. It is more economical both in terms of cost and energy to increase the bearing capacity of soil rather than going for deep foundation or raft foundation. Environmental pollution can be reduced by the utilization of plastic as a stabilizer and thereby Effect of Plastic on the Unconfined Compressive Strength of Laterite Soil N. U. Thasleema 1 , K. R. Athirasree 2 , K. P. Fairoose 3 , P. M. Basil Saman 4 , E. M. Anju 5 1,2,3,4 PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, IES College of Engineering, Thrissur, India 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IES College of Engineering, Thrissur, India