EFFECTS OF RICE HUSK ASH ON THE OPTIMUM LIME -STABILIZED LATERITIC SOILS USED FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION
- Authors
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OLAJIGA, Samuel Olaniyi
Faculty Of Engineering, Federal University Oye - Ekiti
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Amu, Olugbenga Oludolapo
Faculty Of Engineering, Federal University Oye - Ekiti
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- Keywords:
- rice husk ash, lime stabilization, lateritic soil, curing, California bearing ratio, pozzolanic reaction
- Abstract
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The rising cost of conventional stabilizers and the pursuit of sustainable alternatives have encouraged the use of agricultural waste materials such as rice husk ash (RHA) for soil improvement. This study assessed the geotechnical performance of lime–RHA-stabilized lateritic soils from three road sites in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Natural soils were characterized and stabilized using the determined optimum lime content, after which RHA was incorporated at 0–10% by weight. Specimens were compacted using the British Standard Light compactive effort (592 kN·m/m³) and cured under moist conditions for 28 days to promote pozzolanic reactions before unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) testing. Standard laboratory tests, including compaction, UCS, CBR, and triaxial shear, were performed in accordance with BS and ASTM standards. The soils, classified mainly as A-7-6 with plasticity indices between 14.23% and 25.13%, were of fair to poor subgrade quality. Chemical analysis showed that RHA contained 82.01% combined silica, alumina, and ferric oxides, confirming its pozzolanic reactivity. Incorporation of RHA reduced plasticity and enhanced density, bearing capacity, and strength. Optimum stabilization occurred with 6% lime and 4% RHA, producing the highest UCS and CBR values after 28 days’ curing. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that strength improvements at this mix were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate that partial replacement of lime with RHA offers a sustainable and effective technique for improving lateritic soils for sub-base and base construction.
Keywords: rice husk ash, lime stabilization, lateritic soil, curing, California bearing ratio, pozzolanic reaction.
- Author Biographies
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