Assessing the Use of River Sand and Saw Dust Ash in the Stabilization of Weak Subgrade Soils
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Date
2024-04-16
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Abstract
Weak subgrade soils are usually expansive in nature characterized by swelling and
shrinkage tendencies at different moisture contents, making then unsuitable for
engineering projects like road construction without proper stabilization or
reinforcement. Over the years, cement and lime have played a role as common
stabilizers for improvement of such soils. However, in Uganda, the cost of these
additives have been escalating creating a need to come up with alternative solutions.
Henceforth, this research aims to assess the viability of river sand and saw dust ash as
efficient stabilizers for the weak subgrade soils. Through analytical experimentation,
the percentages of river sand were varied with increasing percentages of 15%, and saw
dust ash was varied in reducing percentages of 3%. The objectives of the research were
accomplished through a number of laboratory tests, such as gradation analysis,
atterberg limits, proctor compaction test, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test. The
discoveries after carrying out the tests disclosed the soil is clayey with high plasticity,
calling for the need for stabilization. More so, the incorporation of river sand and
sawdust ash resulted in a considerable decrease in the plasticity index, from 30.5% to
5.3%. Furthermore, the of addition of river sand sawdust ash led to a significant
increase in the maximum dry density and a decrease in the optimum moisture content
as its proportion was augmented. The optimum percentages of river sand and saw dust
ash were 45% and 3% respectively. These end results disclose the prospects of river sand
and sawdust ash as an economical alternative to traditional stabilizers like as cement
and lime.