THE EFFECT OF CORN COB ASH AND HYDRATED LIME ON COMPACTION AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF LATERETIC SOIL

ABSTRACT This research work was aimed at the effect of Corn-Cob Ash (CCA) in lime stone stabilized lateritic soil to ascertain its stability as a potential pavement layer material. Preliminary test(I)such as consistency limit, which is Liquid Limits (LL) and Plastic Limits (PL), compaction properties,Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), specific gravity were performed in the natural soil. Microstructural test such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR)were also performed in the natural and optically stabilized soil. A fixed amount of lime (4%)obtained from preliminary analysis was varied with 2,4,6,8 and 10% of CCA. The result show that the action of CCA to the soil significantly reached the LL and PL with corresponding increase in plasticity index. The MDD decreased with a corresponding increase in OMC.Furthermore,the result of the SEM shows the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CCH)and Calcium Aluminate Hydrate (CAH), respectively. Quartz was found in both the natural and treated soil at20=26.90. It was therefore calculated that the 4% lime and 8% CCA improved the compaction properties of the soil for pavement layer application.