Effect of sugarcane bagasse ash and plantain leaf ash on geotechnical properties of clay soil from Efab Estate, Awka, Anambra State

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of using agricultural wastes: sugarcane bagasse ash and plantain leaves ash for clay soil stabilization. The sample was mixed using five trial mixes: 0%BA:10%PLA, 3%BA:7%PLA, 5%BA:5%PLA, 7%BA :3%PLA, 10%BA:0%PLA and a control mix. Characterization of these ashes was done using the X-ray fluorescence testing method. Specific gravity, sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, compaction and California bearing ratio tests were also assessed. The clay soil was described as A-7-6 (AASHTO). After X-ray characterization, BA and PLA possessed 61.97% and 28.27% pozzolanic content respectively. From the liquid limit results, on addition of 3%BA :7%PLA, a significant decrease in values of 47.0%, 32.0% and 15.0% to 36.0%, 26.0% and 10.0% for LL, PL and PI was documented. Also, the addition of plantain leaves alone significantly decreases atterberg limit values. For compaction, 3%BA and 7%PLA recorded the least MDD value of 18.44kN/ m3 and peak value of 19.42kN/m3 at 0%BA: 10%PLA. 10%PLA and 10%BA recorded CBR soaked values of 57.8% and 62.1% whilst 7%BA:3%PLA yielded best results of 51.3% CBR soaked values. These findings reveal significant improvements in strength and index properties of the clay soil. In conclusion, bagasse ash and plantain leaves ash produce an eco-friendly stabilizer that can be utilized as subbase material in the stabilization of clay soils