POTENTIAL USE OF CINDER GRAVEL AS AN ALTERNATIVE BASE COURSE MATERIAL THROUGH BLENDING WITH CRUSHED STONE AGGREGATE AND CEMENT TREATMENT

Cinder gravels are pyroclastic materials associated with recent volcanic activity which occur in characteristically straight sided cone shaped hills. The aim of this study was to use this marginal material which is abundantly available in many parts of Ethiopia by modifying their properties through mechanical blending and chemical stabilization. Results of physical and mechanical test conducted on cinder gravel samples prove their marginality to be used as base course materials especially for highly trafficked roads. An experimental investigation were carried by blending cinder gravels with conventional crushed stone bases course material, Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA), in proportions of cinder/ Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA) (10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60 and 50/50) and treating with 6. 8 and 10% of cement. According to results of sieve analysis, Aggregate crushing value (ACV), flakiness index and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), 30% of Crushed Stone Aggregate (CSA) can be replaced by cinder gravels for use as Fresh, crushed rock (GB1) material and for cement treated cinder gravels adding 6% and 8% cement make them suitable for use as Stabilized base course (CB2) and (CB1) base course materials respectively, referring to their 14 day compressive strength as determined by Unified compressive strength test(UCS) test.