COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTS OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE AND GROUNDNUT SHELL ASHES ON GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF LATERITIC SOIL FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

ABSTRACTThis study presents a comparative analysis on the effect of Sugarcane Bagasse (SCBA) and Groundnut Shell Ashes (GSA) on the geotechnical properties of lateritic soil for road construction. Soil samples were collected and treated with varying percentages (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%) of SCBA and GSA. Laboratory tests including grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, Compaction and CBR. For both SCBA and GSA shows that Liquid Limit increases with increase in the percentage of ashes. Liquid limit recorded for SCBA at 0% was 31% and maximum at 12% as 34 % and later drop. The same similarity was recorded on GSA. The same trend was also recorded in plastic Limit and plasticity index for SCBA and GSA The Compaction result (MDD) for SCBA at 0% was 1.92g/cm3 and maximum value of 2.7g/cm3 at 8% addition while that of GSA 1.92g/cm3 at 0% and maximum value of 2.3g/cm3 at 12% addition respectively. The OMC value for ashes were not consistent, for SCBA 20%, 20%, 19%, 24% and 23% for 0%,4%,8%,12% and 16% addition of were observe, similarly GSA recorded OMC value of 20% and 34% for 0% and 16% addition of ash. California Bearing Ratio (CBR), for SCBA and GSA was conducted on both untreated and treated soils. The results revealed that both SCBA and GSA improved the soil’s properties, though to different extents. Stabilization increases the plasticity index, thereby increasing the soils susceptibility to swelling and shrinkage. The CBR values significantly improved, with the highest performance recorded as 34.74% at 16% addition of SCBA, and 36.25% for GSA at 12% addition was also recorded. Comparatively, GSA showed superior pozzolanic activity and provided higher strength gains than SCBA, though both materials enhanced the soil’s engineering performance. The study concludes that SCBA and GSA are viable alternatives to conventional stabilizers and recommends their use in lateritic soil stabilization for road construction projects.