EFFECT OF DRYING TEMPERATURE ON THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF STABILISED AND NATURAL SOILS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of drying temperature on the geotechnical properties of natural soils and stabilised soils. Soil samples were taken along Supare Akoko- Emure Ekiti road from three locations at the depth of 1m each. Soil sample for location 1 soil was taken from a stable section while soil samples from locations 2 & 3 were taken from the failed portions of the road. The following laboratory analysis were conducted on the soil samples; atterberg limit test, grain size analysis, Linear shrinkage, Specific gravity, Compaction test and California Bearing Ratio test (CBR). The results show that sampled soil from location 1 has better engineering properties than soil samples from Loc. 2 and 3. This is an indication that the soils of locations 2 & 3 contributed to the failing of the failed part. These three soil samples were further tested by adding 6% (of the total weight of the sampled soils) of Saw dust ash (SDA) and Fine Palm kernel shells (FPKSA) to the soil as stabilisers. Both the index and strength properties improved upon the addition of stabilizers with SDA proving to be a better stabiliser. Under varying temperature of pretest drying with stabilisers (SDA and FKPSA) and without stabiliser; the same engineering properties were considered. The results show that temperature plays a major role to better the properties of the soil.