Abstract

Expansive soil swells when it is wet, and it will shrink when it dries. Due to this behavior of the soil, the strength and other properties of soil are inferior. To improve its properties, it is necessary to stabilize the soil with different stabilizers. Soil stabilization is a process to treat the soil to maintain, alter, or improve expansive soil performance. In this study, the potential of 'Fino' as stabilizing additive to expansive soil was investigated for the improving engineering properties of expansive soil to be used as subgrade material. The evaluation involved the determination of the Free Swell test, CBR test, Atterberg's limits, and the Proctor test of expansive soil in its natural state as well as when mixed with varying proportions of 'Fino.' The practices were performed on six proportions 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30 % with expansive soil. The research result indicated a considerable reduction in Swelling, and the Maximum dry Density of soil was improved. Optimum moisture content decreased in increasing 'Fino.' At 30% of 'Fino,' the CBR values of expansive soil increased from 1.06% to 5.94%, Liquid Limit decreased from 95.2% to 29.4%, plasticity index decreased from 57.24% to 17.82% and the degree of expansion of the natural subgrade soil has reduced from 'very high to medium.' Hence, it is concluded that the 'Fino' at 30% has shown significant improvement in the expansive soil's engineering properties meeting the ERA and AASHTO Standard specifications requirements for road subgrade material.

Abstract

Investigation of the variation in different soil types and origins is an essential task for Geotechnical engineers. To overcome the effects of this change, the Geotechnical engineers, as well as other professionals, attempted to develop empirical equations unique to a region and soil type to use the soil for its intended purpose. However, these empirical equations are more reliable for the kind of soil where there is a strong relationship of parameters is developed. Hence, it is good practice to develop empirical equations that best fit the soil available in the location that we can access. On the flexible pavement, the subgrade is considered to be an ideal layer to resist wheel load, and its CBR value is considered as the strength measuring a parameter. Conducting a CBR test is an expensive and time-consuming procedure. Also, it is challenging to mold the sample at a desired in-situ density in the laboratory. Furthermore, if the available soil is of poor quality, suitable additives are mixed with soil, and the resulting strength of the soil is assessed by the CBR value which is cumbersome. To overcome such a problem, statistical approaches such as regression-based models are used. This can be used for quick and easily determined parameters. Relative to this, the study has been conducted to develop an equation to show the relationship between the index properties and CBR values precisely located along WelkiteArekit –Hosanna Road of about 121km stretches. It was carried out using thirty samples retrieved from this road and tested in a laboratory. The test result of the regression-based statistical analysis was used to develop the predetermined relationship. The relationship development was performed in the form of an equation of CBR as a function of grain size parameters, Atterberg’s liquid limits, and compaction parameters by considering the effect of individual soil properties as well as the effect of a combination of soil properties on the CBR value. Based on the results of the study for both linear and multiple linear regression analyses, it was revealed that there was a relatively fair relationship obtained by combining plasticity index, the percentage of fine content, and maximum dry density which are strength determinants of fine-grained soils. Also, the results showed that the coefficient of determination for multiple linear regression is R2=0. 731, while for single linear regression is R2=0. 682. Therefore, it is concluded that the index properties of soils are sufficiently accurate in determining the CBR values, of which it can be utilized for preliminary characterization.

Abstract

The local fired brick production technique is the known method of brick making, especially in Jimma Town. Firing of bricks in local brick production method is conducted by burning of much amount of woods. But this method of firing bricks by burning of woods will affect the environment. The locale firing technique is difficult to control the firing temperature, which will result in non-uniform burnt bricks. The major objective of this experimental study was to compare the compressive strengths of locally fired clay bricks and the local unfired cement and lime stabilized clay bricks. Specifically, the index properties of soil used for brick production, the compressive strength of locally fired clay bricks, and stabilized clay bricks had been determined and compare with the standard specifications. This study, it was used contents of the stabilizer for cement and lime of 10%, 12%, and 14%, respectively. The mix ratio applied 1:9, 1:7, and 1:6 by volume of clay with stabilizer 10%, 12%, and 14%. Based on the result on the 28th day, the mean compressive strength test, the 10%, 12%, and 14% cement Stabilized clay bricks have compressive strengths of 2.91Mpa, 3.28Mpa, and 3.79Mpa respectively, which are better than the mean compressive strength of the locally fired clay bricks which is 2.73Mpa. On the other hand, the 28th day means compressive strengths of the lime stabilized clay bricks were 2.19Mpa, 2.51Mpa, and 2.69Mpa, respectively. Therefore, these results showed that the Fired Clay Brick fails the minimum mean compressive strength requirement based on the ES, ASTM, and IS standards. But the Stabilized Clay Bricks fulfill the minimum compressive strength requirements of IS standard for stabilized bricks. Among these three methods, the cement stabilized clay bricks indicated better quality than both locally fired and lime stabilized bricks.

Abstract

Shear strength is the essential engineering property of soil required to analyze and design foundations, retaining walls, bridges, embankment, and related infrastructure. The laboratory equipment and field instruments are not sufficient in developing countries to obtain soil engineering properties, especially strength properties. Thus, Geotechnical engineers usually endeavor to develop statistical models that best fit a particular area and soil type, especially for analysis and design purposes. In this research, a Statistical Analysis on the Shear Strength parameter from the Index Properties of Fine-Grained Soils was studied. For predicting the undrained shear strength parameter, single linear regression (SLR) and multiple linear regressions (MLR) analyses were developed. To develop the intended statistical models for a study, SAS JMP Pro 13, SPSS v22, and Microsoft Excel-2013 software were introduced. The results of a study indicated that undrained shear strength(Cu) was significantly correlated with liquid limit(LL), plastic limit(PL), bulk density (ρbulk), dry density(ρdry), natural moisture content(NMC), and plasticity index(PI). While it was not significantly correlated with a specific gravity (Gs) and liquidity index (LI) of study area soil. Finally, a strong Model of Cu with a coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.806), good significance level, and less Std. error was obtained from multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis. The developed model can figure undrained shear strength parameter and wide application in the construction industry to minimize the cost, effort, and time for laboratory tests of shear strength parameter of a study area.