Desiccation-Induced Volumetric Shrinkage Characteristics of Highly Expansive Tropical Black Clay Treated with Groundnut Shell Ash for Barrier Consideration

Abstract

Contamination of underground water as a result of excessive crack on clay liner material is a prevalent phenomenon in an engineered landfill. Volumetric shrinkage strain (VSS) is one of the veritable properties considered for selection of materials suitable for liners and cover in waste containment systems. Material devoid of excessive shrinkage and cracking during climate change could possibly make a better barrier material that will eventually limit or control infiltration of leachate in an engineered landfill. Hence, to obtain a clay liner and covers system that are safe and robust, stabilization of such soil (expansive clay soils) becomes imperative. In order to stabilize or reduce excessive cracking and shrinkage of this soil, earlier researchers have employed cement, chemicals, and fibers. However, in recent times, the ill effects of these stabilizers on the environment have been realized, and hence their replacement with sustainable materials that are mostly agro and or industry by-products is becoming necessary. Tropical dark grey clay treated with up to 8 % Groundnut shell ash (GSA), was carried out. Specimen were compacted using British standard light (BSL) and British standard heavy (BSH) compactive efforts; at water contents between 2% dry and 4% wet of optimum. The compacted specimens were extruded and subjected to drying under laboratory conditions to evaluate its desiccation induced shrinkage and hence its suitability as a cover material in waste containment facilities. Results of this study show that changes in mass and volumetric shrinkage strain were large within the first five days of drying. Volumetric shrinkage strain increased with higher moulding water contents (MWC) and water contents relative to optimum (WRO). The effect of GSA treatment on VSS was not consistent from-2 to +2 % of optimum moisture content. For specimen prepared at +4 % of optimum moisture content, VSS decreased up to a threshold of 28% at 6 % GSA and 30% at 4% GSA for BSH and BSL compactive effort, respectively. Generally, lower compactive effort (BSL) with higher moulding water content and lower dry density produced higher VSS. A regression function was developed from the data to estimate VSS given the compaction water content relative to optimum (WRO), groundnut shell ash content (GSA), plasticity index (PI), percentage fine content (PF) and compactive effort (CE). Compaction water content relative to optimum significantly correlated with VSS, thus should be strictly regulated during field compaction to realize a durable hydraulic barrier.

Role of extreme vertex design approach on the mechanical and morphological behaviour of residual soil composite

“…It is important to note that the amendment of soil with non-conventional ameliorants which are sustainable and economical, has proved to be very successful due to their ability to perform anticipated outcomes in the geotechnical parameters of soft clay soil compared to conventional ameliorants. Thus, the emerging advances in construction materials have proved that diverse ameliorants rich in alumina and silica such as sawdust ash-quarry dust 5 , cement kiln dust-rice husk ash 6 , cement kiln dust-metakaolin 7,8 , cement kiln dust 9 , periwinkle shell ash 10 , oyster shell ash 11,12 , quarry dust 13 , marble dust-rice husk ash 14 , coconut husk ash 15 , corncob ash 16 , locust bean waste ash 17,18 , groundnut shell ash [19][20][21] , lime-rice husk ash 22 , bambara nut shell ash 23 , yam peel ash 24 , metakaolin 25 , mine tailings 26 , palm bunch ash 27 , cement kiln dust-periwinkle shell ash 28,29 , cow bone ash-waste glass powder 30 , sawdust ash-lime 31 , rice husk ash-sisal fibre 32 , coffee husk ash 33 , construction waste 34 , sawdust 35 , nanosilica 36 , electric arc furnace dust 37 , iron ore tailing 38 and so on have been utilised in the amendment studies of deficient soils and concrete structures. Conclusively, as a result of the positive outcomes recorded by the incorporation of solid wastes in soil amelioration studies, a comprehensive review was carried out on the trends in expansive soil stabilization using calcium-based stabilizer materials 39 .…”

“…The ANOVA computation of partial sum-of-squares and R-sqd. Statistics calculation results are presented in Tables 18,19,20,21,22,23. From the statistical analysis results, the model p-value of 0.0001 was derived for the three response variables while F-value of 77.67, 28.04, and 64.61 were obtained for CBR, UCS and RLS responses respectively. The indication of this statistical result showed that the derived model terms are statistically significant.…”

Case Evaluation of Structural Strength Improvement of Lateritic Soil Using Selected Binders

“…The mentioned challenges have triggered an examination into the stabilizing potential of sustainable materials such as waste plastic strips and sisal fiber for flexible pavement applications. On the other hand, Challenges associated with deficient soils that fail to meet certain engineering requirements, for its application as construction materials in flexible pavements has significantly increased the cost of roads construction in such areas [2][3][4][5]. These challenges necessitate the complete elimination of the entire soil in such areas and substituting it with a granular soil that has better bearing capacity.…”

Investigation into the cracking potential of different composite liners under wetting-drying cycles

“…Water content during soil compaction affects desiccation cracking. Lower water content balanced with higher compaction energy can minimize the potential for desiccation cracking (Cheng et al, 2021;Moses et al, 2019). Many researchers have demonstrated that the wetting-drying cycle applied to the soil liner exhibits a relatively constant hydraulic conductivity (Emmanuel & Anggraini, 2020;Ivoke et al, 2021;Mazzieri et al, 2017).…”