Stabilization of lateritic soil with pulverized palm kernel shell (PPKS) for road construction

This paper discusses the stabilization of lateritic soil with pulverized palm kernel shell (PPKS), an agricultural waste, for road construction. Samples of lateritic soil with the addition of 5.00–12.50% PPKS at an increment of 2.50% were prepared for index and strength tests. The lateritic soil had a liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index of 36.00, 26.18 and 9.82% respectively. The control sample with 0% PPKS has low plasticity and may not be liable to shrinkage or cracking. The specific gravity (SG) of the lateritic soil and PPKS are 2.67 and 2.84 respectively. Maximum dry density (MDD) of the lateritic soil increased from 1.76–1.94 kN/m3 for 0–12.50% PPKS. There was a reduction in the optimum moisture content (OMC) of the lateritic soil from 14.69–12.65% for 5–12.50% PPKS. Addition of 12.5% PPKS increased the soaked California bearing ratio (CBR) of lateritic soil by 121% from 24–53%. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) value increased from 46.69–127.98 kN/m² by 174% for 0–12.50% PPKS. ...