Performance of Rice Husk Ash- and Cement- Stabilized Lateritic Soils for Pavement Base Courses: A Case Study from Benin
Performance of Rice Husk Ash- and Cement- Stabilized Lateritic Soils for Pavement Base Courses: A Case Study from Benin |
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| © 2025 by IJETT Journal | ||
| Volume-73 Issue-9 |
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| Year of Publication : 2025 | ||
| Author : Marx Ferdinand Ahlinhan, Bidossessi Dorothée Djenou, Dansou Orphée, Mirielle Guedou | ||
| DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I9P122 | ||
How to Cite?
Marx Ferdinand Ahlinhan, Bidossessi Dorothée Djenou, Dansou Orphée, Mirielle Guedou,"Performance of Rice Husk Ash- and Cement- Stabilized Lateritic Soils for Pavement Base Courses: A Case Study from Benin", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 9, pp.236-249, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I9P122
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of partial replacement of cement with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the stabilization of lateritic soils for potential application as pavement base materials. Seven lateritic soil samples (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G) were characterized using a series of geotechnical and mineralogical tests, including Atterberg limits, standard Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The rice husk ash was examined through Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) coupled with Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) to assess its physicochemical and mineralogical properties. Then, the stabilization of the lateritic soil samples was carried out with Portland cement. Each sample of soil-cement was subjected to compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests for assessing the optimum cement content. Results show that CBR and UCS values increase with increasing cement content up to an optimum cement content, above which CBR and UCS decrease or slightly increase. The maximum dry density decreases with increasing cement content due to the increasing fine particles in the mix. The second stabilization involved partially and gradually replacing the optimum cement content with RHA. CBR value of 217% (≥ 160% in accordance with pavement design guideline CEBTP) and UCS value of 3 MPa (1.5-3MPa for UCS value after 7 days curing in accordance with pavement design guideline CEBTP) for the mix containing 95% soil F +3.5% cement +1.5% RHA were obtained. Also, CBR value of 165% (≥ 160% in accordance with pavement design guideline CEBTP) and UCS value of 2.5 MPa (1.5-3MPa for UCS value after 7 days curing in accordance with pavement design guideline CEBTP) for the mix containing 96% soil, G +3% cement +1% RHA were obtained. These findings indicate that Rice Husk Ash (RHA) can effectively serve as a partial replacement for cement in lateritic soil stabilization, making it suitable for constructing road bases in compliance with CEBTP specifications.
Keywords
Laterite soils, Rice Husk Ash, Cement, Stabilization, Pavement.
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