STABILIZATION OF CLAY SOIL USING CALCIUM CARBIDE RESIDUE (CASE STUDY OF ANGWAN PAMA KADUNA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE)

Ibrahim Shuaibu¹, Benjamin Adejoh² & Kelani A. Dawood³

Department of

Email: shuaeboy@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study covers the investigation of the engineering properties of calcium carbide residue stabilized clay soil. It was aimed to determining the suitability of using calcium carbide residue to stabilize a clay soil to ascertain whether it can be economically for use as a construction material for sub base, bases, embankment fills. Samples were collected in angwu- pama Kaduna south local government area and laboratory test were conducted to determine the physical and geological properties of the soil. The strength of the soil had increased considerable by addition of 2%, 4% and 6% of a stabilizer (calcium carbide residue). From the analysis of result obtained in this study, the natural moisture content (NMC) of the soil is very high (i.e 34.27). the consistencies limit and the sieve analysis test result for proper classification of the soil and the effect of calcium carbide residue on the consistency limit parameter, the soil in its natural state has liquid limit of 37.00 and plasticity index of 24.84 and has about 42.9% of its entire material passing through B.S Sieve No. 200s which is accordance with AASHTO soil classification system as an A –6 soil (i.e highly clay soil) which make the soil a poor material for construction. A remarkable value of 2.37 was obtained for it specific gravity value at 0% calcium carbide residue by weight of soil. With the adding 2% – 4% calcium carbide residue, the value was decrease to 2.27 – 2.24 of soil which was the value of one of the most active soil and by adding 6% there was an increase in the value of the soil of specific gravity which was recorded to be 22.8% of clay soil and this confirm with that of lateritic soil described in BS. 1924. The compaction test show that the M.D.D and O.M.C recorded for the control sample was 1.96(g/cm³) and 22.82%. There was a decrease in value recorded with addition of the stabilizer, for consolidation test conducted, there was an increase in cv, mc, and pc value between 2%, 4% calcium carbide residue and was a drop in 6% of calcium carbide residue by rate of soil. It was found that stabilization of clay soil with 2% to 4% calcium carbide residue were the most economical and hence improves the properties of the soil.

Keywords; Soil Stabilization; Calcium Carbide; Construction Material; Soil Classification;