Effect of Ceramic Waste on Geotechnical Properties of Cement Stabilized Clay Soil

Abstract

A clay soil collected at Barkindo along Lamurde-Gombe road in Numan Local Government area of Gombe State, Nigeria, was stabilized with 0, 2, 4 and 6% cement which was admixed with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% Ceramic waste dust (CWD) each. Index properties and microstructural tests were conducted on the untreated clay soil while compaction and unconfined compressive strength tests were carried out on the untreated clay and clay soil admixed with varied composition of cement and CWD. Results from index properties showed that the clay classified as of high plasticity based on unified soil classification system. The microstructural results revealed that the clay consist of quartz, microcline, kaolinite, brushite and gypsum. The maximum dry densities (MDD) were observed to reduce with increase in cement and CWD while the optimum moisture content (OMC) reduces in the same order. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) increased with increase in CWD for specific cement addition, to maximum of 30% CWD after which the values were observed to drop. 30% CWD is therefore the optimal CWD required for maximum UCS strength. A maximum of 2700kN/m2 was recorded at 6% cement and 30% CWD after 90days of curing. This maximum value satisfied the requirement for a stabilized material to be used as base course for highly trafficked roads. Significant increase in UCS was also observed with increase in curing days which signifies the existence of Pozzolanic reaction in the mixture. 30% CWD can be used for effective stabilization of cement stabilized clay soil.