Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Alternative Approach to Clay Stabilization Using Granite and Dolerite Dusts

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an investigation on the effect of two readily-available materials, namely granite and dolerite dusts on the properties of a tropical expansive soil from southeast Nigeria. The aim was to evaluate their use as potential stabilizing agents. Standard compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR), and Atterberg limit tests were performed on the natural expansive soil and on samples treated with varying percentages of granite or dolerite dust. Noticeable reduction in shrinkage and plasticity as well as an increase in CBR were observed in the treated soil samples. The improved clayey soil measured up to the Nigerian standards for materials used in general filling, embankment and sub-base materials, but they fall below the standards set for use as base materials. Based on the strength development, it seems that the cheap rock-dusts can be used as partial replacement for the other more expensive materials been used in treatment of expansive soils. Therefore their use may not only become an efficient method for the utilization of materials that are abundant in the terrain, but may also contribute to the development of the nation’s solid minerals sector.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Rawasa AA, Hagoa AW, Al-Sarmib H (2005) Effect of lime, cement and Sarooj (artificial pozzolan) on the swelling potential of an expansive soil from Oman. Build Environ 40:681–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arora KR (2009) Soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Standard Publishers Distributors, Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks RM (2009) Soil stabilization with fly ash and rice husk ash. Int J Res Rev Appl Sci 1(3):209–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhler RL, Cerato AB (2007) Stabilization of Oklahoma Expansive Soils using Lime and Class C Fly Ash. Problematic Soils and Rocks and In Situ Characterization. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston VA, pp. 1–10. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/40906%28225%291. Accessed 11 Mar 2017

  • Çokça E (2001) Use of class C fly ashes for the stabilization of an expansive soil. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 127(7):568–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Croft JB (1967) The structures of soils stabilized with cementitious agents. Eng Geol 2(2):63–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drnevich VP, Daita RK, Kim D (2009) Family of compaction curves for chemically modified soils, Final report joint transportation research program (FHWA/IN/JTRP-2005/7) File No. SPR- 2850

  • Emeh C, Igwe O (2016) The combined effect of wood ash and lime on the engineering properties of expansive soils. Int J Geotech Eng 10(3):246–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ene E, Okogbue CO (2009) Some basic geotechnical properties of expansive soil modified using pyroclastic dust. Eng Geol 107:61–65. doi:10.1016/J.Enggeo.2009.03.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guney Y, Sari D, Cetin M, Tuncan M (2007) Impact of cyclic wetting–drying on swelling behavior of lime-stabilized soil. Build Environ 42(2):681–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hermes OD (1964) A quantitative petrographic study of dolerite in deep river basin North Carolina. Am Mineral 49(11–1): 1718

    Google Scholar 

  • Imasuen OI, Olatunji JA, Onyenubi TUS (2013) Geological observation of basement rocks around Gangu, Kogi state. Int Res J Geol Min 3(2):57

    Google Scholar 

  • Ismaiel HAH (2006) Treatment and improvement of the geotechnical properties of different soft fine grained soils using chemical stabilization. PhD. thesis, Institute of Geology, Martin Luther Halle-Wittenberg University, Germany

  • Ji-ru Z, Xing C (2002) Stabilization of expansive soils by lime and fly ash. J Wuhan Univ Technol 17(4):73–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jongpradist P, Jumlongrach N, Youwai S, Chucheepsakul S (2010) Influence of fly ash on unconfined compressive strength of cement-admixed clay at high water content. J Mater Civ Eng 22(1):49–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamruzzaman A, Chew S, Lee F (2009) Structuration and destructuration behavior of cement-treated Singapore marine clay. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 135(4):573–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kézdi Á (1979) Stabilized earth roads. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 327p

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar BRP, Sharma RS (2004) Effect of fly ash on engineering properties of expansive soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 130(4):764–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Walia B, Bajaj A (2007) Influence of fly ash, lime, and polyester fibers on compaction and strength properties of expansive soil. J Mater Civ Eng 19(3):242–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Benson C, Edil T, Hatipoglu B (2008) Sustainable construction case history: fly ash stabilization of recycled asphalt pavement material. Geotech Geol Eng 26(2):177–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mir BA, Sridharan A (2013) Physical and compaction behavior of clay soil-fly ash mixtures. Geotech Geol Eng 31(4):1059–1072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamedzein YEA, Al-Rawas AA (2011) Cement-stabilization of sabkha soils from Al-Auzayba, Sultanate of Oman. Geotech Geol Eng 29(6):999–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Lime Association (2004) Lime-treated soil construction manual, lime stabilization and lime modification, vol 326. National Lime Association, Bulletin, Arlington, pp 1–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Obaje NG (2009) Geology and mineral resources of Nigeria. Lect Notes Earth Sci. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-92685-69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okagbue CO (2007) Stabilization of clay using woodash. J Mater Sci Civ Eng: ASCE 19(1):14–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okogbue CO, Onyeobi TUS (1999) Potential of marble dust to stabilize red tropical soils for road construction. Eng Geol 53:371–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okogbue CO, Yakubu JA (2000) Limestone ash waste as a substitute for lime in soil improvement for engineering construction. Eng Geol 58:107–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Phanikumar B (2009) Effect of lime and fly ash on swell, consolidation and shear strength characteristics of expansive clays: a comparative study. Geomech Geoengin 4(2):175–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PhaniKumar B, Sharma R (2004) Effect of fly ash on engineering properties of expansive soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 130(7):764–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phanikumar B, Sharma R (2007) Volume change behavior of fly ash-stabilized clays. J Mater Civ Eng 19(1):67–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Punmia BC, Ashok KJ, Arun KJ (2005) Soil mechanics and foundations. Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma R, Phanikumar B (2005) Laboratory study of heave behavior of expansive clay reinforced with geopiles. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 131(4):512–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talabi AO (2013) Mineralogical and chemical characterization of major basement rocks in Ekiti State, SW-Nigeria. RMZ Mater Geoenviron 60:73–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson MR (1965) Lime treated soils for pavement construction. J Highw Div 94(2):59–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong LS (2015) Formulation of an optimal mix design of stabilized peat columns with fly ash as a pozzolan. Arab J Sci Eng 40(4):1015–1025

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Engineer Anyanwu of the Civil Engineering Soil Mechanics Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka for his assistance during laboratory testing. The insightful contributions of Mr. I. C. Agbodike, Ms. O. Onyiuke, Mr. L. Ohuoba, Mr. D. Ekwem (who died while doing this work) and Mr. A. Kapi are also acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wesley University Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria

    O. Igwe & Ekundayo Joseph Adepehin

Authors
  1. O. Igwe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ekundayo Joseph Adepehin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ekundayo Joseph Adepehin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Igwe, O., Adepehin, E.J. Alternative Approach to Clay Stabilization Using Granite and Dolerite Dusts. Geotech Geol Eng 35, 1657–1664 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0200-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-017-0200-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation