Potential Reduction of Swelling - Shrinkage of Deltaic Lateritic Soils using Plantain Rachis Fiber

Abstract

The research work observed the effectiveness and application of waste agricultural products from plantain rachis fibre as stabilizers for the modification of lateritic soils with unreliable and unstable attributes. The sampled soils are classified as A-2-6 SC and A-2-4 SM on the AASHTO classification schemes / Unified Soil Classification System with percentage (%) passing BS sieves #200; 38.46%, 39.40%, 36.85%, and 36.42% and soils are reddish brown in color (from wet to dry states) with plasticity index properties of 17.11%, 22.5%, 14.10%, and 18.51% respectively of Ogbogoro, Egbeda, Igwuruta and Aleto roads. The soil has California bearing values of unsoaked 9.25%, 9.48%, 7.85% and 8.65%, and soaked 7.40%, 8.05%, 6.65% and 6.65 %, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values of 168kPa, 178kPa, 163kPa and 175kPa. Investigations showed soils are unsuitable for constructional use as road embankment materials. Comparative results of un-stabilized and stabilized soils showed decreased values of maximum dry density and increased optimum moisture content values of stabilized lateritic soils. Results of Un-stabilized and stabilized results showed increased California bearing ratio values in stabilized lateritic soils with optimum inclusion percentage ratio of 0.75%. Overturned values were noticed beyond optimum inclusion. Comparative results showed increased values of unconfined compressive strength test with corresponding percentages ratio inclusion as against un-stabilized soils. Results on comparison with un-stabilized soils showed decreased in values of plastic index parameters of stabilized soils with decrease values to percentages inclusion ratio. Entire results showed the potential use of plantain rachis as soil stabilizer.