Comparison Between Two Grades Of Cements For The Stabilization Of Ikole-Ekiti Soils

ABSTRACT

The performance of a pavement depends on the quality of its sub-base and subgrade layers. As

the foundation for the pavement's upper layers, the subgrade layer plays a key role in mitigating

the detrimental effects of static and dynamic stresses generated by traffic. Therefore, building a

stable subgrade is vital for constructing an effective and long lasting pavement system. This

project work, review the investigation carried out on the strength characteristic of laterite in its

natural state and with addition of different grade of cement. The texts comprised of sieve

analysis, compaction, atterberg limit, California bearing ratio test, natural moisture content and

specific gravity test. The result of these tests showed that the lateritic soil under study improved

its engineering characteristic substantially on the addition of cement. The effect of the two

cement grades made a positive impact on the lateritic and the effect of the stabilizer on the soil,

as evidenced by a marked reduction in plasticity index, the maximum dry density and an

improvement in shrinkage and drainage characteristic, plastic and liquid limit and the optimum

moisture content. It was discovered that the two cement grades used has a high CBR value at 6%

and 8%, that make the material to be suitable for engineering works and high way construction.

It could then be ascertained that the addition of cement to laterite soil is beneficial to strength improvement of the soil.