SUSTAINABLE USE OF CALCIUM CARBIDE RESIDUE ADMIXED WITH ZEOLITE FOR STABILIZATION OF CLAYEY SOIL

Abstract

Wastes that have cementitious properties can become a useful source of cheap materials for soil improvement, thereby reducing the cost of construction projects on sites that have unsuitable soils. This research work investigated the sustainable use of calcium carbide residue (CCR) admixed with zeolite to a stabilize clayey soil. Tests to determine the index properties, microstructural properties and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the natural soil and its stabilization with varying percentages of CCR and Zeolite were carried out. The outcome showed that the clay mixed with zeolite alone resulted in to gradual increase in UCS after 1-day curing from 54kN/m2 at 0% zeolite to 94kN/m2 at 6% zeolite. This represents 74% increase in strength. With addition of 5% CCR after 1 day curing, the UCS increased from 378kN/m2 at 0% zeolite to maximum of 579kN/m2 at 2% zeolite after which the values reduced to 371kN/m2 at 6% zeolite. This also represents 53% increase in strength which must have been generated from the reaction between zeolite and CCR and clay soil. On variation of the CCR and Zeolite percentages, the UCS increase was maximum at 146, 873 and 1460 kN/m2 for 0, 5 and 10% CCR respectively with the optimal zeolite occurring at 4% zeolite. This shows that CCR and Zeolite are viable additives for stabilization of clay soils.