FINAL EXPERIMENT
TITLE: “Soil Stability using Corn Husk and Aglime”
Objectives:
This study generally aims to analyze the ability of corn husk and aglime to stabilize the
soil:
•To determine the physical properties of the soil used from Marilao, Bulacan.
•To determine the percentage of corn husk and aglime that will give a maximum
compressive strength.
•To determine the compressive strength of soil mixed with partial pulverized corn husk
and aglime.
•To emphasize the significance of corn husk and aglime as a stabilizer to help improve
the strength of the soil.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
Discussion:
Abstract:
Soil is the basic foundation for any Civil engineering structures. It is required to bear
the loads without failure. In some places, soil may be weak which cannot resist the
oncoming loads. In such cases, soil stabilization is needed. Hence, the Philippines is rich
with agricultural product which are rice, sugarcane and corn. Corn husk is rich with fibers
that can help to stabilize the soil. Also, with the help Aglime. Aglime is a soil stabilizer made
from crushed limestone or chalk. The primary active component of the Aglime is calcium
carbonate that has a good effect in stabilizing a soil. We’re decided to mix these two
materials to determine if there’s some any reaction occurs to the soil. Soil reinforcement is
defined as a technique to improve the stability of a soil. A stable soil is necessary for a
stable and strong infrastructure, roads, etc. Soil is where most of the structures are
CHAPTER I
Introduction:
Soil stabilization is required when the soil available for construction is not suitable for
the intended purpose. It includes compaction, reconsolidation, drainage and many other
such processes. Stabilization can increase the shear strength of a soil and/or control the
shrink-swell properties of a soil, thus improving the load bearing capacity of a sub-grade to
support pavements and foundations.
In a present time, there has been a high demand for infrastructure, raw materials and
fuel, soil stabilization has started to take a new shape. With accessibility to a better
research, resources and apparatus, the researches use different stabilizing agent in soil
stabilizing. Here, in our study, soil stabilization has been done with the help of easy to
In this study, we will explore the possible effect of combining dried corn husk and Aglime
into the soil. This will cite the difference of ordinary soil in comparison to its counterpart which
applies dried corn husk and aglime particles as an admixture of soil stabilization.
In this study, different test would be performed to know if pulverized corn husk and
aglime can fit greatly as a stabilizer. Will the pulverized corn husk and aglime be able to help in
stabilization of soil?
The following questions would be answered according from the data and results of the
tests:
2.What mixture (0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%) would give a significant increase in the
compressive strength?
3.How this corn husk and aglime will affect the stability of soil?
This study will give a low cost of structure in an allowable strength of loadings:
Economy – it will benefit the economy, by using Corn Husk and aglime as a stabilizer.
Cheap, easy to find and organic.
Profession – this study will help civil engineering profession advancement by utilizing
new products to be adopted as engineering materials.
Research – to access a new material and gain additional knowledge in the field of
engineering materials and soil mechanics
Theoretical Framework
The designed soil specimen has 4 simple input: Pulverized Corn Husk and Aglime,
Water and the soil sample retrieved from Marilao, Bulacan. The soil sample was sieved at No.4
and the Corn Husk and Aglime was grinded into small bits. The input is then mixed and molded
according to standard and the finished product will then be tested to determine the
compressive strength of soil which will be compared to the properties of soil without the
admixture of subjected materials.
Conceptual Framework:
INPUT
PROCESS OUTPUT
NATURAL (CLAY)
Test results of
SOIL OF MARILAO DRYING OF CORN the soil by its
BULACAN HUSK compressive
CORN HUSK PULVERIZING
AGLIME MIXING capability and
WATER COMPRESSIVE TEST impact-
resistance.
CHAPTER II
A study was conducted to investigate the potential of corn husk ash as an enhancer for
the production of soil blocks for low cost housing. Five different levels of stabilization (0%, 5%,
10%, 15% and 20%) using corn husk ash were adopted for this study. In general, there was a
("Enhancing the Properties of Soil Bricks by Stabilizing with Corn Husk Ash"., Peter
Paa Kofi Yalley and Emmanuel Asiedu (2013))
(“Effect of Corncob ash on the geotechnical properties of Lateritic soil stabilized with
Portland cement”., Akinwumi I.I., Aidomojie O.I. (2015))
This study assesses the effects of Corn Cob Ash (CCA) on lime-stabilized lateritic soil.
Preliminary tests were carried out on the natural soil sample for purpose of identification and
classification. Lime being the main stabilizing material was thoroughly mixed with the soil
("Effects of corn cob ash on lime stabilized lateritic soil"., Emeka Segun Nnochiri
(March 2018))
This paper reports the investigation of Corn Cob Ash as a pozzolan and a stabilizing
agent for lateritic soils in road pavement construction. The soil was subsequently mixed with
CCA in varying percentages of 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, 6% and 7.5% and the influence of CCA
on the soil was determined for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Compaction Characteristics, CBR and
the Unconfined Compression Test. These tests were repeated on laterite CCA-cement mix and
laterite-cement mix respectively in order to detect any pozzolanicity in CCA when it combines
with Portland cement and to compare results with a known soil stabilizing agent. The result
shows a similarity in the compaction characteristics of soil-cement, soil-CCA and soil-CCA-
cement, in that with increasing addition of binder from 1.5% to 7.5%, Maximum Dry Density
progressively declined while the OMC steadily increased. In terms of the strength parameters,
the maximum positive impact was observed at 1.5% CCA addition for soil-CCA with a CBR
value of 84% and a UCS value of 1.0MN/m2, compared with the control values of 65% and
0.4MN/m2 respectively. For the soil-CCA-cement mix, the strength parameters CBR and UCS
continued to increase with increasing binder addition within the tested range for the ratios 1:2
and 1:1 and 2:1 CCA: cement. Significantly, the results from the soil-CCA-cement mix, indicate
the pozzolanicity of CCA in that UCS values were higher by at least 14% for the 1:1 ratio, than
was attained with the addition of only the corresponding quantity of cement.
("An Evaluation of the Influence of Corn Cob Ash on the Strength Parameters of
Lateritic Soils"., Yinusa A. Jimoh , O. Ahmed Apampa (2014))
("Effect of Lime-Guinea Corn Husk Ash on the Engineering Properties of Lateritic Soil".,
S. A. Akinloye, G.M. Bankole and A. Medubi (2014))
Soil present in nature may have no. of strength deficiencies. Thus needs to be stabilized
and its properties needs to be modified in appropriate way to gain high strength characteristics.
Large scale agricultural commodities producing nations are facing problems due to agricultural
wastage produced like rice husk, corn cob etc. As corn cobs does not decompose easily
results in causing numerous problems to surroundings as well as environment. Corn cob ash
produced by burning corn cobs. Corn cob ash rich source of silica and thus having large
tendency to behave like pozzolana make it suitable for using as cementious material. Objective
and motive of study investigation is to investigate Soil. UCS value for optimum mixture Soil:
Cement: Corn cobash (92:02:06) increases by 310% for 7 days curing spell with respect to the
virgin clayey soil value and increases by 402% for 14 days curing spell. UCS and shear
strength diminutions with tallying of corn cob ash beyond 6% but both still are grander than
virgin clay. It indicates that corn cob-ash adding imparts great strength to the strength features
("Effect of cement and corn cob ash on UCS and direct shear test of clayey soil".,
Gurjap Singh Somal, Gurdeepak Singh and BS Walia (September 2017))
Black cotton soils are considered to be problematic soils as these soils as these soils
undergo large volumetric changes with the change in moisture content due to the presence of
montmorillonite mineral. Increase moisture content causes swelling of the soil and loss of
strength and decrease in moisture content to improve the engineering properties of some local
soils for construction of stabilized pavement layers, stabilizes earth buildings and support layer
for the foundation of buildings. The paper aims at providing experimental insights on the
engineering properties of black cotton soil stabilized with corncob ash (CA) to ascertain its
suitability varying ratio and unconfined compression strength, considering CA contents, varying
from 0 to 20% were carried out. The results show that the addition of CA to the soil generally
reduced its plasticity, swell potential and increased its strength. CA stabilization being more
economical and environment friendly, improved the geotechnical properties of the soil for
pavement layer material application.
Soil sample collected from Maikunkele area of Minna, classified as an A-7-6 lateritic soil
on AASHTO classification was stabilized with 2-12% rice husk ash (RHA) by weight of the dry
soil. Using British standard light (BSL) compaction energy level, performance of the soil-RHA
was investigated with respect to compaction characteristics, California bearing ratio (CBR) and
unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. The results obtained, indicates a general
decrease in the maximum dry density (MDD) and increase in optimum moisture content (OMC)
with increase in RHA content. There was also slight improvement in the CBR and UCS with
increase in the RHA content. The peak UCS values were recorded at between 6-8% RHA,
indicating a little potential of using 6-8% RHA for strength improvement of A-7-6 lateritic soil.
CHAPTER III
Methodology
In this chapter the research design, materials and methods, treatment of data, and the
decision were criteria discussed. The main objective is to present the methodology and
research design.
Research Design
This study will use experimental method in collecting the necessary data in the physical
properties of the soil and its compressive strength with mixture of corn husk and aglime.
Experimental method of research was used due to the involvement of the series of
experiments involved in determining the physical properties of the soil used specifically the
moisture content, void ratio, degree of saturation and optimum moisture content.
Each specimen contains 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25% have 3 specimens for 3 trials.
1. Wash the gathered corn husk to remove the mud and other dirt to its surface. Crushed
and pulverized it. The aglime is already pulverized.
2. Let it dry on the dryer machine for about 15-20minutes to remove any excess moisture.
3. Cut it on a small piece so it can be easily grinded.
4. When it completely dry, it is now ready to be grinded on the pulverizing machine.
Resources:
1. Tin cup
Procedures:
1. Weigh a tin cup including its cover. Determine the mass of the tin cup.
2. Place the sample of soil in the tin cup. Determine the weight of the soil and the tin
cup.
3. Place the sample in the oven for at least 4 hours.
4. When the sample has dried, obtain the mass of cup and dry soil.
5. Compute the water content. The difference between weight of wet soil plus cup and
weight of dry soil plus cup is the weight of water (Ww). Also compute the weight of
dry soil (Ws).
6. To determine the water content (%).
%= Ww/Ws x 100
7. Repeat until four (trials) are achieved. Determine the average moisture content.
1. Cut a sample of soil to about 1-inch diameter and 2 - 3 inches long. Weigh up to 0.2
gram. Surface should be smooth and rounded.
2.
3. Immerse the coated sample in graduated cylinder and determine its displacement.
The volume of the sample is the volume of the water displaced minus the volume of
the paraffin.
4. Compute the unit weight in grams/cu.cm
Calibration of Pycnometer
1. Transfer carefully the 25-gm sample to the calibrated bottle and add distilled water
until about ½ full. Care must be exercised so as not to lose any of the soil in the
transfer.
2. Expel the entrapped air by boiling gently for at least 10 minutes. Roll the bottle
occasionally to facilitate the removal of air.
3. Cool the sample to room temperature or to a temperature within the range of the
calibration curve of the bottle used
The void ratio can be determined from the formula shown below:
Equation 4
The degree of saturation can be determined from the formula shown below:
Equation 5
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
PROCEDURE:
RESOURCES:
4. Weighing balance
8. Split mould
9. Sample extractor
10. Knife
PROCEDURE:
2. Place the specimen in the loading device so that it is centered on the bottom platen.
Adjust the loading device carefully so that the upper platen just makes contact with the
specimen.
3. Zero the deformation indicator and apply the load so as to produce an axial strain at a
rate of ½ to 2% per min.
4. Record the load at sufficient values at sufficient interval. The rate of failure should be
chosen so that the time to failure does not exceed about 15 minutes.
RESOURCES:
PROCEDURE:
1. Sieve the sample through 20mm IS sieve. Take 5 kg of the sample of soil specimen.
Add water to the soil in the quantity such that optimum moisture content or field
moisture content is reached.
2. Then soil and water are mixed thoroughly. Spacer disc is placed over the base plate at
the bottom of mould and a coarse filter paper is placed over the spacer disc.
3. The prepared soil water mix is divided into five. The mould is cleaned and oil is applied.
Then fill one fifth of the mould with the prepared soil. That layer is compacted by giving
56 evenly distributed blows using a hammer of weight 4.89kg.
4. The top layer of the compacted soil is scratched. Again second layer is filled and
process is repeated. After 3 rd layer, collar is also attached to the mould and process is
continued.
5. After fifth layer collar is removed and excess soil is struck off. Remove base plate and
invert the mould. Then it is clamped to baseplate.
6. Surcharge weights of 2.5 kg is placed on top surface of soil. Mould containing specimen
is placed in position on the testing machine.
7. The penetration plunger is brought in contact with the soil and a load of 4kg(seating
load) is applied so that contact between soil and plunger is established. Then dial
readings are adjusted to zero.
8. Load is applied such that penetration rate is 1.25mm per minute. Load at penetration of
0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5mm are noted.
Standard
Penetration(mm) Unit Standard Load(kg/cm2)
Load(kg)
2.5 1370 70
5 2055 105
7.5 2630 134
10.0 3180 162
Weight of surcharge =
Area of plunger, A =