Durability Characteristics of Lateritic sub grade Treated with Iron ore Tailings and Lime exposed to Moisture Fluctuation

Abstract

This research evaluated the durability of lateritic subgrade treated with Iron Ore Tailings (IOT) and lime exposed to moisture variations. Representative sample of the subgrade was treated with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% IOT and optimal lime percent (6.2%) determined through Eades and Grim pH test. Preliminary tests such as particles size distribution, Atterberg limits and compaction were conducted to characterize the mixtures while Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and CBR-swell tests were carried out to access durability of the soil mixtures. Addition of lime to the soil increased the liquid limit to 45% from 36% obtained in natural soil. Similarly, the plastic limit of the lime-treated sample increased from 16 to 26% with reduced plasticity index. While the natural soil exhibited CBR of 3 and 75% for soaked and unsoaked specimens respectively, the value increased and peaked at 11 and 118% with addition of lime and 15% IOT. Durability of the soil improved with addition of IOT and lime. 15% IOT and lime treated soil recorded the best results with UCS of 240 kN/m2 and 200% Relative Volumetric Stability (RVS), which is a measure of strength loss of a soil. Similarly, swell value of 0% was recorded when the lime-IOT samples were subjected to CBR-Swell test. This shows that the lime-IOT treated samples are less vulnerable to moisture condition normally prevalent in the pavement subgrades.