Study of the Effect of Waste Materials on Soil Properties

摘要

This research was carried out in order to study the effects that waste materials have on soil properties. As clayey soil has weak physical and mechanical properties, stabilizers are added in the soil to increase its strength. The waste materials were Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and lake water (waste water). The soil index properties was determined by carrying out the physical test and compaction test. A total of 50 samples were prepared which were tested for unconsolidated undrained Triaxial test and pH test to determine its relative mechanical and chemical properties. A shear strength of 17.80 kN/m~2 was obtained for the control soil specimen of the mix of 0% of POFA on 7 curing days and the same soil specimen with similar percentage of POFA had a shear strength of 18 kN/m~2 on 14 days. Moreover, the soil specimen of 80% of POFA and 30% of tap water had a shear strength 44 kN/m~2 at 14 curing days. On the other hand, the soil specimen at 80% of POFA and 30% of Lake Water displayed a shear strength of 37 kN/m~2 on 14 days of curing was noted. The lake water was acidic at a pH of 6 while the tap water was at a neutral pH of 7. The control specimen (0% of POFA) of the mix of soil with tap water displayed a pH of 7 for all the curing days carried out while control soil specimen mixed with lake water displayed a ph of 6. The pH obtained increased in an alkaline way with increasing POFA percentages shear strength increased at a maximum pH of 11 at a soil specimen of 80% of POFA and 30% of Tap water proving POFA to be an alkaline material. It has been concluded that POFA, being a pozzolanic waste material can help in improving the mechanical property of the soil.