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

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