Stabilization of Clay Using Woodash
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 1
Abstract
The potential of woodash to stabilize clay soil was evaluated. The evaluation involved the determination of the geotechnical properties of clay soil in its natural state as well as when mixed with varying proportions of woodash. The parameters tested included the particle size distribution, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, California bearing ratio (CBR) and the compressive strength. The CBR and strength tests were repeated after 28-day curing of the treated samples. Results showed that the geotechnical parameters of clay soil are improved substantially by the addition of woodash; plasticity was reduced by 35% and CBR and strength increased by 23–50% and 49–67%, respectively, depending on the compactive energy used. The highest CBR and strength values were achieved at 10% woodash. Results also showed that curing improved the strength of the woodash-treated clay. However, the strength gain was short lived as the strength quickly decreased after 7–14 days of curing. These results imply that although woodash provides some of the beneficial effects of lime in soil stabilization, such as plasticity and swell reduction, improved workability, and strength increase, it is unlikely to be a substitute for lime as strength gain is short lived.
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Acknowledgments
The writer acknowledges the contributions of O. Ohanta, O. C. Okoye, C. N. Akaelu, A. E. Iwuamadi, E. O. Ossai-Abeh, and I. Alinta of the Department of Geology for assistance in data collection, Engineer Ekwedike and his staff of the Soil Mechanics Laboratory of the Enugu State Ministry of Works for their assistance in carrying out the tests, and Okechukwu Ugwoke for typing the manuscript.
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© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 11, 2005
Accepted: Jul 29, 2005
Published online: Jan 1, 2007
Published in print: Jan 2007
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Hilary I. Inyang.
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