Comparative Analysis of the Compaction of Natural Offshore Sand and Cement Stabilized Offshore Sand for Road Construction

Owo Awajigbana Tugwell

doi:10.11648/j.jccee.20210602.11

Abstract

This research concerned itself with the comparative analysis of compaction of natural offshore sand and cement stabilized offshore sand for road construction in swampy regions. Sieve analysis and compaction (moisture-density relationship) tests were conducted on the offshore sand sample to compare the compaction efforts of the two materials for road subbase filling. Based on the results of the tests carried out, the offshore sand sample was found to belong to the A-2 group and falls within Grading Zone 2. The results of dry density against cement content as well as optimum moisture content against cement content shows that compaction of the offshore sand is poor with values of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content obtained as 1.755g/cm3 and 11.67% respectively. After 4% Cement Content stabilization, the values increased to 1.935g/cm3 and 12.21% respectively. At 6% Cement Content stabilization, the value of Maximum Dry Density increased to 1.948g/cm3 while the Optimum Moisture Content dropped to 8.77%. At 8% cement content stabilization, the values obtained were 1.967g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 10.40% for optimum moisture content. At 10% cement content, the results were 1.982g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 12.25% for optimum moisture content. Upon increasing cement content to 12%, the values obtained became 2.027g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 9.76% for optimum moisture content. It follows therefore that increasing cement contents yielded increase in compaction of the offshore sand sample. This investigation concludes that cement can be used to stabilize offshore sand to improve its engineering property of compaction for use as subbase material for construction of road in swampy regions.

Highlights

Road design and construction are as old as man found it necessary to move from one location to another
Offshore sand from the Atlantic ocean, Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria was chosen as a subbase material for flexible road pavement construction through the swampy region; its Particle Size Analysis and Compaction tests were conducted on the offshore sand sample, and cement stabilization was done for 4%, 6%, 85, 8%, 10%, and 12% cement contents
It is seen that compaction of the offshore sand is poor with values of Maximum Dry Density and Optimum Moisture Content obtained as 1.755g/cm3 and 11.67% respectively; while the results of compaction of natural offshore sand plus cement stabilization at 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12% cement contents are presented in figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively

Summary

Introduction

Road design and construction are as old as man found it necessary to move from one location to another. Biblical references to roads and paths are numerous and can be found in many chapters of the bible. It is believed animal trails were first pathways. The world’s oldest known paved road was built sometime between 2600 BC and 2200 BC in Egypt. It has been observed that there is a large deposit of offshore sand as a result of continuous weathering of the Atlantic Ocean by Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Local building developers within the town are not using the offshore sand for building construction works stating it has high salt content in it

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion