Description

Abstract

In today scenario, lack of stable ground for development of infrastructures is very common. In view of this, construction of buildings on unsuitable ground is unavoidable and making a suitable ground before constructions is real challenging issue for Geotechnical Engineers. To overcome the difficulties experienced with problematic soil in geotechnical applications on one side and safe disposal of solid wastes on the other side, an attempt is made in this investigation to explore the possibilities of utilizing solid wastes to improve the engineering behavior of problematic soil. In this, in this present investigation the type of solid wastes – Groundnut shell and Rice Husk Ash for stabilization are selected to study the effects of same on the index and engineering characteristics of problematic soil. The Groundnut shell and Rice Husk Ash are mixed with soil in various proportions. The various tests were conducted and optimized proportion is arrived.

 

Cover page

1. Certification

iii. Dedication

1. Acknowledgement
2. Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study
• Problem Statement
• Aim and Objective of Study
• Significance of Study
• Scope of Study
• Research Question
• Limitations of Study

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1    Review of the study

2.2    Soil Improvement

2.3    Soil Stabilization

2.4    Review Of Related Studies

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1    Materials

3.2     Collection of agricultural waste material

3.3     Sample Preparation

3.4     Laboratory tests for groundnut shell and rice husk ash

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS/ANALYSIS

4.1   Properties of the Natural Soil

4.2   Effect of GSA on Particle Size Distribution of the Soil

4.3    Effect of GSA on Atterberg Limits of Lateritic Soil

4.4    Effect of GSA on Compaction Characteristics of Lateritic Soil

4.5    Effect of RHA on Index properties

4.6    Effect of Rice Husk Ash on Liquid Limit

4.7    Effect of RHA on shrinkage limit

4.8    Effect of RHA on free swell index

4.9    Effect of Solid Waste on Compaction Characteristics

4.10  Effect of RHA on Shear Strength Parameters (Direct Shear Test)

4.11  Effect of RHA on CBR Values

CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion

References

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                   INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the study

The stability of structures founded on soil depends to a large extent on the interaction of the said soil with water. Some soils of the tropics (e.g., Laterite soil), absorb large amount of water during the rainy seasons and do not allow easy passage of such water.  This consequently results in a large volume increase which drastically reduces during the dry season. This phenomenon has substantial effect on structures founded on such soils. Also, road bases built with soils that are not easily drained are affected by the development of pore water pressures which causes the formation of potholes and, eventually, the total failure of such roads. In an attempt to minimize these effects, such soils are subjected to treatments aimed at either disallowing water into them or allowing easy passage (drainage) of water to prevent pore water build up (Alhassan, 2008).

Problematic soils such as expansive soils are normally encountered in foundation engineering designs for  highways,  embankments,  retaining  walls,  backfills,  etc.

Expansive soils are normally found in semi – arid regions of tropical and temperate climate zones and are abundant where the annual evaporation exceeds the precipitation (Chen, 1988; Warren and Kirby; 2004).

Disposal of solid waste on the land fill can be minimized if the waste is having desirable properties such that they can be utilized for various geotechnical application viz. land reclamation, construction of embankment etc. There are several methods used for improving geotechnical properties of problematic soils that includes densification (such as shallow compaction, dynamic deep compaction, pre-loading), drainage, inclusions (such as geosynthetics and stone columns), and stabilizations. Chemical stabilization of the problematic soils is especially significant in concerning with the treatment of soft fine-grained, expansive soils, and collapsible loess deposits. Soil stabilization is the process which is used to improve the engineering properties of the soil and thus making it more stable. Soil stabilization is required when the soil available for construction is not suitable for the intended purpose. It includes compaction, preconsolidation, drainage and many other such processes. For instance, fly ash is solid waste from thermal power plant which is used for various civil engineering applications like manufacturing of cement and bricks and other geotechnical construction works. In present investigation the type of solid waste namely Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and groundnut shell is selected to study the effects of the index and engineering characteristics of problematic soil. In order to utilize the rice husk ash and groundnut shell for the improvement of problematic soil a detailed program has been formulated and index, compaction, shear strength and CBR tests have been conducted on problematic soil.

1.2Statement of the Problem

There are always compromises that have to be made when it comes to construction sites. You might get a great location, but the soil may be poor and unusable as fill material.  Excavating the entire site, hauling the bad soil away and replacing it with better soil is not only expensive and time-consuming, but also unnecessary.  Soil stabilization techniques are much less expensive than excavation, undercutting, and replacing the poor soil with stone material.  Modern technologies allow us to modify existing soil to your specifications, providing quality fill material for your project.

Primarily, the problem that arises with regard to expansive soils is that their deformations are significantly greater than the elastic deformations and therefore cannot be predicted by classical, elastic or plastic theory. Movement is usually in an uneven pattern and of such a magnitude as to cause extensive damage to the structures and pavements resting on them (Nelson and Miller, 2012).

Problematic soils pose great threat and dangers to engineering structures because of their expansive characteristics. Expansive soils cause more damage to structures, particularly light buildings and pavements, than any other natural hazards, including earth quakes and floods (Jones and Holtz, 2013).

Because of the above mentioned problems, there is need to further investigate cost-effective ways of stabilizing them.

1.3        Significance of Study

The rising cost of traditional additives such as cement and lime has motivated the search for cheaper and locally available materials for improving problematic or deficient soils to meet geotechnical  engineering  requirements  in  the  construction industry. The safe disposal of industrial and agricultural waste products demands urgent and cost effective solutions because of the debilitating effect of these materials on the environment and to the health hazards that these wastes constitute (Oriola and Moses, 2010).

Recent  trend  in  research  works in  the  field  of  geotechnical  engineering and construction  materials  (Osinubi and Eberemu, 2019) focused more on the search for cheap and locally available materials such as agricultural waste as stabilizing agents for the purpose of full or partial replacement of traditional stabilizers.

Therefore, the possible use of other locally available  industrial and agricultural wastes (such as groundnut shell and rice husk ash) as possible substitutes or as admixtures to main stabilizers  to stabilize soil, will considerably reduce the cost of construction and as well as reduce or eliminate the environmental hazards caused by such wastes.

1.4              Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agricultural waste – groundnut shell and rice husk ash in soil stabilization. The following specific objectives were designed to be achieved:

1. Determination of the soil stability to the foundation of your road or structure
2. Determination of the effect of agricultural waste on soil.

1.5     Scope of the Study

This research was carried out to determine the suitability of soil by soil stabilization using agricultural waste.

1.6                                          Research Question

At the end of this work answers to the following questions shall be provided:

1. How is soil stabilized using agricultural waste?
2. What are the characteristics of a stabilized soil?

• What is soil stabilization?

1.7                                         Limitation of Study

This research is primarily focused on discussing stabilization of laterite soil using agricultural waste – groundnut shell and rice husk as which involves altering the physical and chemical structure and texture of the natural soil of the selected part of Auchi Edo State, to make sure it offers sufficient stability to the foundation of your road or structure.