THE USE OF GUM ARABIC AS A LATERETIC SOIL STABILIZER

M. S. Saleh and A. B. Bala

Department of Civil Engineering

 Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

ABSTRACT

This research work was conducted to ascertain the suitability of stabilizing lateritic soil with Gum Arabic and to determine the proper economic percentage which could improve the engineering properties of the soil. Sample of the lateritic soil was obtained and the Gum Arabic was purchased and prepared.  The laboratory tests were carried out, according to the standards, using 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of the Gum Arabic by weight. From the result of Atterberg Limit test, 0% and 4% of Gum Arabic recorded the lowest and highest values of 15.93% and 26.25% of plastic limit respectively. The test also showed that the soil was in A-6 class of ASSHTO classification (clayed soils).  While for shrinkage limit, 0% and 10% recorded the lowest and highest values of 10.00% and 12.14% respectively. In the compaction test, the MDD values decreased with an increase in the Gum Arabic in which 0% and 8% recorded the highest and lowest values of 1.88g/cm³ and 1.64g/cm³ respectively. For the compressive strength, 50% of the cubes tested, met the minimum strength requirement of 1.5N/mm² by the Civil Engineering Department of ABU Zaria, in collaboration with Nigeria Building and Road research institute for lateritic blocks. It is recommended, therefore, that the minimum of 2% of Gum Arabic be used to stabilize lateritic soil.