Determination of Optimum Blend of NaOH with Pumice Powder in Non-Lateritic Soil Stabilisation for Highway Construction
  • Author(s): David Longrin Goodwill ; Sa’eed Yusuf Umar ; Ibrahim Hassan
  • Paper ID: 1707088
  • Page: 130-138
  • Published Date: 04-02-2025
  • Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
  • Publisher: IRE Journals
  • e-ISSN: 2456-8880
  • Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 8 February-2025
Abstract

The role of highways in road transportation cannot be overemphasized as it plays a vital role in socio-economic development of a nation. It facilitates the movement of people, goods, and services, but incessant failure of highways has become a common phenomenon in many parts of Nigeria. The preliminary investigation of the non-lateritic soil collected from Kwa in Quanpan local government council of plateau state shows that it belongs to A-7-6 (0) or CL-ML in AASHTO and unified soil classifications system (USCS) respectively. Soils under these classifications usually fall short of engineering standard for construction use. The soil was treated with pumice powder content (PPC) blend in stepped concentrations 0,2,8 and 14% as well as activated with alkaline (NaOH and KOH) in blend concentration of 80g, 320g, 560g (NaOH) respectively by dry weight of the soil. Compaction was carried out using the British Standard Light (BSL).The liquid limit increased from 15.4% for the natural soil to 27% at 14% PPC (560g NaOH) while the plastic limit increased from 13.75% of natural soil to 26.79% at 2%PPC (560g NaOH).The unconfined compressive strength increases for 2% PPC (80g NaOH) compared to the natural soil from 338.38KN/m2 to 658.99KN/m2 for 7 days curing period. The plasticity index also increases from 1.75% for the natural soil to 7.74% at 14% PPC (560g NaOH). The California bearing ratio (CBR) values for the unsoaked condition of the soil sample increase from 55.89% for the natural soil to a peak value of 57.40% at 2% PPC (NaOH 80g).Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that soil characteristics improved due to pumice powder content (PPC) and alkali to treat the soil. The results showed that stabilisation with 2% PPC and 80g NaOH significantly improved the strength properties of the soil.

Keywords

Pumice, NaOH, Stabilization and non- lateritic soil

Citations

IRE Journals:
David Longrin Goodwill , Sa’eed Yusuf Umar , Ibrahim Hassan "Determination of Optimum Blend of NaOH with Pumice Powder in Non-Lateritic Soil Stabilisation for Highway Construction" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 8 2025 Page 130-138

IEEE:
David Longrin Goodwill , Sa’eed Yusuf Umar , Ibrahim Hassan "Determination of Optimum Blend of NaOH with Pumice Powder in Non-Lateritic Soil Stabilisation for Highway Construction" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(8)