Stabilizing Sandy Soil Using Reworked Earth Materials

Abstract

The performance of termite reworked earth materials as potential stabilizing material for sandy soil was examined. The reworked earth materials were collected from three different termitaria and tested on a sand sample. The sandy soil was stabilized at six different levels 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% respectively. Soil classification tests which include consistency and particle size determination tests were carried out on the soil samples while the stabilized soil samples were subjected to compaction test and California bearing ratio test using the West African compaction method. The result of the CBR tests showed that the reworked earths(CBR) improved the bearing strength of the stabilized samples considerably at between 30% and 80% stabilization even though the effects of each of the reworked earth on the sandy soil varies. Also, only one of the three reworked earth samples meet up the recommended minimum CBR value of 80% specified by the Nigerian general specification on roads and bridges for sub-base materials.

Keywords: Reworked Earth, Termitaria, California Bearing Ratio, Stabilization, Sandy Soil