INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF BANANA LEAF ASH ON SANDY CLAY SOIL FOR SUB-BASE ROAD MATERIALS

This study investigates the effects of banana leaf ash (BLA) on the properties of sandy clay soil, with a focus on its potential as a sustainable material for sub-base road construction. The research aims to evaluate the influence of varying BLA content (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) on key geotechnical properties of sandy clay, including compaction characteristics, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Atterberg limits, and shear strength. Experimental results indicate that the incorporation of BLA significantly affects the physical and mechanical properties of sandy clay soil. Optimal performance was observed at 4% to 8% BLA, where improvements in unsoaked CBR (up to 49%) and reduced plasticity index (down to 9%) were recorded, suggesting enhanced load-bearing capacity and stability. However, excessive BLA content (10%) led to reduced strength and stability, emphasizing the importance of optimal BLA dosage. The findings demonstrate that BLA can effectively enhance the engineering properties of sandy clay soil, promoting its use as a sustainable additive for sub-base materials in road construction, thereby contributing to improved performance and environmental sustainability in civil engineering practices.