The Effects of Calcium Carbide Residue and Plastic Fines on Bentonite Clay

This study investigates the effects of Calcium Carbide Residue and Plastic Fines on Bentonite clay. The research aims to improve the geotechnical properties of bentonite while promoting sustainable construction properties and effective waste management. Laboratory experiments were conducted on the natural soil to determine mineralogical composition and the soil class. Laboratory test results revealed that the soil is bentonite clay and A-7-5(35) according to AASHTO as well as MH under the Unified Soil Classification System respectively. The natural soil clayey soils with high plasticity, low strength, poor drainage, and inadequate bearing capacity. Stabilized soils were prepared at various mixes and subjected to Atterberg limit test. The plasticity index of the various mixes was determined and the sample with the least plasticity index was adopted as the optimum mix ratio because the lesser the plasticity index, the lesser the compressibility of the soils. The sample with the least plasticity index is of 6 %calcium carbide residue and 4% plastic fines. Samples were later prepared with optimum mix ratio at incremental of 2% to 12% and subjected to Atterberg, Compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), UCS, and permeability test. Laboratory test revealed that the CBR and UCS values significantly increased from 0% to the peak of 10% while coefficient of permeability significantly reduced from 0% to the trough of 10% with the least plasticity index at 10%. Compaction test revealed the binary mixture of CCR and Plastic fines which produces the highest value of maximum dry density is natural soil. However, 3 days curing period produced the lowest UCS values compared to the 28 days period which produced the maximum UCS values. However, for permeability, the natural soil produced the highest value of permeability. This study recommends the adoption of 10% a dosage for the optimal performance and recommend long term evaluations to fully ascertain the durability and environmental assessment to support real world applications.