Abstract: Odioku, Ahoada-West roads are susceptible to pavement degradation resulting in very many failures, potholes and cracks along the stretches. The study investigated the effectiveness natural fibre of costus afer bagasse (Bush sugarcane bagasse fibre (BSBF) as soil stabilizer / reinforcement. Results of preliminary investigations conducted on the deltaic clay and laterite soils as seen in detailed test results showed that the physical and engineering properties fell below the minimum requirement for such application and needs stabilization to improve its properties. The soils classified as A-2-7 and A-7-6 on the AASHTO classification schemes and are less matured in the soils vertical profile and probably much more sensitive to all forms of manipulation that other deltaic lateritic soils are known. The soils are reddish brown and dark grey in color (from wet to dry states) with liquid limits of 56.1 % and 44.5 %, plastic limits of 22.4 % and 18.3 %, and plasticity index of 33.7 % and 26.1 %. The soil has unsoaked CBR values of 7.6%, and 9.8 % and soaked CBR values of 7.4%, and 9.2 %, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values of 78.6kPa and 155kPa when compacted with British Standard light (BSL), respectively. Compaction results of lateritic and clay soils at 100% of maximum dry density (MDD) at preliminary test were 1.803kN/m3 and 1.640kN/m3 with fibre (BSBF) at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% inclusion decreased from 1.803kN/m3 and 1.652kN/m3 for lateritic soil and 1.640kN/m3 to 1.521kN/m3. Optimum moisture content of lateritic and clay soils were 11.79% and 16.39% at 100% soils (ie no additives), increased from 17.33% (laterite) and 23.26% (clay). California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test results obtained for lateritic and clay soils at 100% and fibre inclusion of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.0% increased from 9.8% to 17.7% (unsoaked), 7.2 to 14.8% (soaked) for lateritic soil and 7.6% to 15.2% (unsoaked), 6.9% to 12.6% (soaked) for clay soil, both had optimum values percentage inclusion at 0.75%, beyond this value, crack was formed which resulted potential failure state. Unconfined compressive strength test results obtained of lateritic and clay soils at preliminary engineering soil properties are 155KPa and 78.6kPa at 100% soils, increased to 264.8kPa and 143.4kPa respectively. Consistency limits test results at 100% soil of lateritic were LL 44.5%, PL 18.3% and IP 26.1%, at fibre inclusion, decreased to LL 37%, PL 24% and IP 13%, for clay soil at 100%, LL 56.1%, PL 24.4%, IP 33.7% decreased to %, LL 49.7%, PL 22.8%, IP 24.9%. The entire results showed good potential of using Bush sugarcane bagasse fibre as soil stabilizer.
Keywords: Clay and lateritic soils, Costus Afer, CBR, UCS, Consistency, Compaction.
Title: Stabilization of Deltaic Soils using Costus Afer Bagasse Fiber
Author: Charles Kennedy, Essien Udo, Gbinu Samuel Kabari
International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research
ISSN 2348-7607 (Online)
Research Publish Journals
