Enhancing the Engineering Properties of Expansive Soil Using Bagasse Ash and Hydrated Lime

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The main objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of hydrated lime and bagasse ash on engineering properties of expansive soil obtained from an array of laboratory tests. Bagasse ash is a readily available waste by-product of the sugar-cane refining industry posing risks to environment. Bagasse ash is considered in this investigation in order to evaluate the potential benefits of its pozzolanic material for stabilisation of expansive soil. The preparation of stabilised soil specimens was conducted by changing the bagasse ash contents from 0 to 25% by dry weight of expansive soil along with an increase in hydrated lime. The bearing capacity and shrinkage properties of stabilised expansive soil were examined through a series of experimental tests including linear shrinkage and California bearing ratio (CBR) after various curing periods of 3, 7 and 28 days. The results reveal that the additions of hydrated lime and bagasse ash improved the strength and bearing capacity of stabilised expansive soil remarkably, and meanwhile significantly reduced the linear shrinkage of treated expansive soil. Hence, the application of hydrated lime and bagasse ash as reinforcing material can not only enhance the engineering properties of expansive soil, but also facilitate sustainable development by using sugarcane waste by-product to improve unusable clay material in road construction.

Select geotechnical properties of a lime stabilized expansive soil amended with bagasse ash and coconut shell powder

“…The former has been fairly investigated for its potential in soil stabilization whereas the latter has not been afforded the same level of investigation in soil stabilization. Utilization of BA in stabilization of soil, stabilized earth blocks, sintered earth blocks and landfill liners have been investigated by several researchers both as a standalone stabilizer [3][4][5][6][7] as well as in combination with lime and cement [8][9][10][11][12][13]. CSP on the other hand, has been rarely adopted in soil stabilization activities with only a few investigations reporting its use [14][15][16].…”

Effect of Bagasse Ash on the Properties of Cement Stabilized Black Cotton Soil

“…Expansive soils are soils that are highly sensitive to moisture variation; they show large volume change when exposed to moisture content fluctuations [1] [2] Because the cotton plant grows well on this soil type it is often referred to as Black Cotton Soils (BCS), they have colours ranging from light-grey to dark-grey and black [1] [3].…”

“…In Nigeria BCS are often found in North Eastern part of the country, and it is believed that these soils derived their origin in Nigeria [4]. BCS have highly reactive clay minerals consisting of montmorillonite, the severe damage to structures on BCS depends on the amount of monovalent cations absorbed into this clay mineral [2]. Deposits of BCS show a general pattern of cracks during the dry season [3].…”

“…These soils are peculiar with good agricultural yield or fertility, but very poor as far as construction of civil engineering facilities for both vertical and horizontal structures like buildings, bridges, rails, roads, etc, is concerned [2] [6] [7].…”

“…In line with this, numerous waste materials have been used in stabilizing problematic soils. Various researchers reported that improvements in both physical and mechanical properties of BCS were achieved when additives such as lime, fly ash, glass fibers, cement, rice husk ash, wood ash, coconut shell ash, sugarcane straw/stalk ash (Bagasse Ash), etc, have been used alone or in combination to stabilize BCS [2] [3] [8] [10]- [14]. Furthermore, utilizing waste materials to improve desired properties of materials for road pavement will provide two folds benefits in achieving sustainability [15], i.e., managing the waste and material properties improvement at lower cost.…”