ENHANCING THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF EXPANSIVE SOIL USING BAGASSE ASH AND HYDRATED LIME

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of hydrated lime and bagasse
ash on engineering properties of expansive soil obtained from an array of laboratory tests. Bagasse ash is a
readily available waste by-product of the sugar-cane refining industry posing risks to environment. Bagasse
ash is considered in this investigation in order to evaluate the potential benefits of its pozzolanic material for
stabilisation of expansive soil. The preparation of stabilised soil specimens was conducted by changing the
bagasse ash contents from 0 to 25% by dry weight of expansive soil along with an increase in hydrated lime.
The bearing capacity and shrinkage properties of stabilised expansive soil were examined through a series of
experimental tests including linear shrinkage and California bearing ratio (CBR) after various curing periods
of 3, 7 and 28 days. The results reveal that the additions of hydrated lime and bagasse ash improved the
strength and bearing capacity of stabilised expansive soil remarkably, and meanwhile significantly reduced
the linear shrinkage of treated expansive soil. Hence, the application of hydrated lime and bagasse ash as
reinforcing material can not only enhance the engineering properties of expansive soil, but also facilitate
sustainable development by using sugarcane waste by-product to improve unusable clay material in road
construction.