# Improving Geotechnical Properties of Expansive Subgrade Using Sugar Cane Molasses and Cement
## 4 Results and Discussion
### Effect of Stabilizers on UCS Values  
The stress-strain curves for untreated and treated soils using molasses and cement are determined in accordance with ASTM D-2166. The results are presented in Figures 10 and 11, which compare the UCS values of the treated soils with those of the untreated soils.  
Figure 8: Maximum Dry Density (MDD) vs Cement content for different molasses percentages.  
Figure 9: Compaction curve for the natural soil and stabilized soil with different additives.  
The incorporation of molasses into untreated soils significantly enhances their strength while also improving their durability and cohesion, resulting in increased ductility as axial strain rises with higher molasses content. As shown in Figure 11, the stress-strain curves for soil specimens with varying molasses content shift to the right, indicating that the strain at failure increases with the addition of stabilizers. This suggests that molasses-treated soils exhibit greater ductility compared to untreated soils. This observation aligns with the findings of ([PERSON], 2022; [PERSON], 2019)[32; 33]. The observed increase in UCS values for soils treated with molasses is likely due to cation exchange reactions, flocculation, and agglomeration effects. However, a decrease in UCS values at higher molasses concentra  
Figure 11: Summary of stress–strain curves for untreated soil and treated soil with different stabilizers.  
Figure 10: UCS values comparison of native soil with stabilized soil samples.  
tions may be due to the coating of individual soil particles with molasses. It is generally observed that UCS values increase with higher cement content. The stress-strain curves for soil specimens with varying cement levels, as shown in Figure 11, reveal a shift to the left, indicating a decrease in failure strain with the addition of stabilizers [34]. Furthermore, the failure mode of the treated material displays brittle behavior.  
The UCS results, as depicted in Figure 10, indicate that the soil's strength improves with the addition of molasses and cement. The native soil (S\({}_{0,0}\)) exhibits the lowest UCS value of 0.34 kg/cm\({}^{2}\). With the incorporation of 4% molasses and varying cement percentages, the UCS gradually increases, reaching up to 0.45 kg/cm\({}^{2}\) for the S\({}_{4,12}\) sample. This trend continues with higher molasses content; for instance, the S\({}_{8,12}\) sample, containing 8% molasses and 12% cement, achieves a UCS of 0.53 kg/cm\({}^{2}\). The highest UCS value of 0.56 kg/cm\({}^{2}\) is observed in the S\({}_{12,12}\) sample, indicating a significant enhancement in soil strength. The stress-strain curves for soil specimens with varying molasses and cement content, as shown in Figure 11, demonstrated a leftward shift, indicating a decrease in failure strain with the addition of these stabilizers. The natural soil shows the least resistance to stress, while samples with higher molasses and cement content, particularly the 8% molasses and 12% cement combination, demonstrate superior stress resistance and less strain before failure. Overall, the study reveals that higher percentages of molasses and cement substantially enhance the soil's compressive strength, with the most effective treatment being 8% molasses combined with 12% cement.