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Optimization of California bearing ratio of tropical black clay soil treated with cement kiln dust and metakaolin blend

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Abstract

The study showcase the optimization of California bearing ratio (CBR) values of expansive soil treated with cement kiln dust (CKD) and metakaolin (MTK) blend based on Scheffe optimization method. The CBR values utilized in the design of road infrastructure is an important parameter because it provides the rating of soil material for use as subgrade, sub-base and/or base course of road pavement. Therefore, applying Scheffe optimization technique will eliminate the random selection of design mix ratios and other associated disadvantages during CBR tests. Based on the optimization exercise and it results, the maximum CBR (unsoaked and soaked) values of 69 and 50 % were achieved with a corresponding mix ratio of 1.0:0.30:0.35:0.50 for black cotton soil, water, cement kiln dust and metakaolin respectively. During the course of this study, the laboratory results were used to develop two CBR models. The scheffe models developed are Ŷ = 34X1 + 46X2 + 40X3 + 69X4 − 8X1X2 − 4X1X3 + 34X1X4 + 8X2X3 + 34X2X4 + 30X3X4 and Ŷ = 17X1 + 28X2 + 22X3 + 50X4 − 10X1X2 − 6X1X3 + 42X1X4 + 8X2X3 + 40X2X4 + 40X3X4 for CBR unsoaked and soaked, respectively. In addition, the mathematical models were statistically scrutinized, confirmed for the adequacy and validity based on the outcomes of student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Also, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques were used to explore the morphological and composition variations of the natural soil in contrast with the typically optimized soil-CKD-MTK blend. However, the SEM of the unaltered soil sample showed a smooth like surface, whereas the soil mixture optimally treated does not show same but rather demonstrated a rough like surfaced morphology. Thus, the observed variations might be due to the alterations of the soil fabrics possibly enhanced by the development of cementitious compounds (calcium silicate hydrate and calcium aluminate hydrate) as a result of pozzolanic reaction.

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Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the Management of Akwa Ibom State University.

Funding

This research was funded by Federal Ministry of Education NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund in Nigeria. This support is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria

    Imoh Christopher Attah

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Fidelis Onyebuchi Okafor & Onuegbu Okoronkwo Ugwu

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Nigeria

    Onuegbu Okoronkwo Ugwu

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  1. Imoh Christopher Attah
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  2. Fidelis Onyebuchi Okafor
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Correspondence to Imoh Christopher Attah.

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Conflict of interest

The work is part of a Ph.D research work undertaken by Engr. Imoh Christopher Attah under the supervision of Engr. Prof. F. O. Okafor and Engr. Prof. O. O. Ugwu. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the Authors.

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Attah, I.C., Okafor, F.O. & Ugwu, O.O. Optimization of California bearing ratio of tropical black clay soil treated with cement kiln dust and metakaolin blend. Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol. 14, 655–667 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-020-0003-6

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