Combined Effects of Molasses-Lime Treatment on Poor Quality Natural Gravel Materials Used for Sub-Base and Base Course Construction

Abstract

At the time of industrial development, production of large amounts of wastage required proper disposal. To reduce the disposal problem, utilization of wastage in construction works is a very important aspect. Reuse of industrial waste had gained high momentum for achieving sustainable waste management locally and globally. Keeping this in mind, a research carried out to assess the utilization of molasses, lime and molasses-lime for improving natural gravel for sub-base and base course construction from Jimma Jiren quarry site. The natural gravel from this quarry site is known to have a poor quality, since it did not satisfy the ERA standard specification for sub-base and base course construction. To use Jiren natural gravel as a sub-base or base course construction material, it is necessary to improve its engineering properties. The laboratory test matrix in each test plan included variations in additive type, additive content, and curing period. It was established 8% cane molasses by weight of dry soil as the maximum for effective stabilization of natural gravel for sub-base construction, but not suitable for a base course layer. Results indicated that the natural gravel specimens from Jiren quarry site stabilized with lime, provided higher CBR values than a molasses used alone. On the other hand, replacing 50% of lime content by molasses indicated better results than the performance of either individual additive. Therefore, the natural gravel blended with molasses-lime combination is much better when it used for sub-base and base course construction to treat such an inferior quality of natural aggregates.

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