Abstract:
The soil has many engineering properties in its natural state. These properties,
however, can be altered to meet desired standards by combining the soil with certain
materials. The combined effect of rice husk ash (RHA) and sawdust ash (SDA) on the
index and strength properties of expansive soil is investigated in this study. Expansive
soil samples were collected in Addis Zemen town for laboratory testing. Rice husk is
an agricultural byproduct produced by rice milling. Sawdust is a byproduct of wood
cutting and grinding. Compaction, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive
strength, Atterberg limit, specific gravity, shrinkage limit, and free swell are among
the properties that have been evaluated. Rice husk ash content of 4%, 7%, or 10%,
depending on the weight of the dry soil. The proportions of sawdust ash added to the
soil are 1%, 3%, and 5%. The experimental mixes revealed that the expansive soil
treated with 10% rice husk ash was further stabilized with 3% sawdust ash, yielding
better results. Natural soil index properties confirmed that it belongs to CH in the
USCS classification system. This type of soil provides little engineering benefit. The
addition of RHA and SDA to natural soil reduced the liquid limit, plasticity index,
maximum dry density, and free swell properties while increasing the OMC, UCS, and
CBR, according to laboratory results.
Keywords: Expansive soil, Rice husk ash, Sawdust ash, Stabilization