Stabilization of Lateritic Soil Admixed with Maize Husk Ash
‘Oluremi J. R., *Fagbenro K. O. *Osuolale O. M. and “Olawale, A. M.
*° Civil Engineering Department Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
“Work Department, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: kofagbenro@lautech.edu.ng
DOI:10.36108/laujoces/8102/10(0140)
Abstract
Lateritic soil is one of the major construction materials in road pavement. However, obtaining lateritic soil with sufficient strength is difficult, which may necessitate its improvement by stabilization. Lateritic soil, in this study, was stabilized with upto 12% Maize Husk Ash (MHA) by weight of soil samples, with a view of improving its geotechnical properties and assessing it as subbase materials. Classification tests (particle size analysis, specific gravity, Atterbergs limits) and strength index tests (compaction, california bearing ratio (CBR), unconfined compression test (UCS) were performed on both the natural and the MHA-stabilized soil samples. The grain size analysis shows that the percentage passing No. 200 BS sieve was 47.7% for the natural lateritic soil and between 50 and 62.1% for MHA stabilized lateritic soil. The liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index are in the range of 61 to 76%, 28 to 53% and 16 to 37% respectively. Also, the maximum dry densities increased, while the optimum water content decreased with increase in the MHA content. The CBR value of the lateritic soil increased with MHA content up till 6% addition of MHA and thereafter decreased, while higher UCS value was obtained up till 3% and then decreased with increasing content of MHA. The results indicated that the MHA stabilized lateritic soil could only be used as subgrade and fill materials.
Keywords: Lateritic soil, Maize husk ash, Stabilization, Compaction and Strength indices