Open Access

ARTICLE

Analysis of Lateritic Soil Reinforced with Palm Kernel Shells for Use as a Sub-Base Layer for Low-Traffic Roads

by Joel Koti^1,2,*, Crespin P. Yabi³, Mohamed Gibigaye¹, Anne Millien², Christophe Petit²

1 LEMA, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
2 GC2D, University of Limoges, 17 Bd Jacques Derche, Egletons, France
3 National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics, Abomey, Benin

* Corresponding Author: Joel Koti. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Materials and Energy an Updated Image for 2021)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2022, 18(5), 1469-1482. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2022.021902

Received 11 February 2022; Accepted 02 March 2022; Issue published 27 May 2022

Abstract

In tropical areas, palm oil production generates significant amounts of waste, including palm kernel shells. The use of this waste in the civil engineering sector, presents a very challenging task. In the present study, the production of lateritic soil (A-2 in GTR classification and A-7-6 (9) in HRB classification) reinforced with palm kernel shells is considered. In order to improve their performances, these materials are mixed using the Fuller’s parabolic law. Moreover, experimental tests are used to characterize the physical and mechanical geotechnical properties of the lateritic soil. After characterizing the matrix (i.e., lateritic soil) and the inclusions (i.e., palm kernel shells) in their natural state, it is found that Avrankou’s lateritic soil has a high level of fine particles (56.6%), high plasticity (PI = 21%) and low lift (ICBR = 17%); which makes it unusable in the pavement layer. Results also prove that the mixture composed of 39% of lateritic soil volume and 61% of PKS with a CBR index equals to 30 and the mixture composed of 45% of lateritic soil, 40% PKS and 15% of lagoon sand with a CBR index equals to 41 can be used as sub-base layer for roads for low and medium traffic, respectively.

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Keywords

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