Effect of Cement Kiln Dust on the Geotechnical Properties of Clay in Ede, South-western, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigated the effect of cement kiln dust (CKD) on the geotechnical properties of clay. Soil sample was collected from clay deposit at Ede North Local Government Area, Osun State, which lies within the geographical coordinates of 7N and 4E, was treated with up to 10% CKD. Sieve analysis, specific gravity, consistency limits, compaction (British Standard Light, BSL and West African Standard, WAS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests were carried out on both treated and untreated soil samples. Results showed that Ede clay is an A-7- 6 soil. Specific gravity increased from 2.61 to 2.91 with increase in CKD from 0 to 10%, maximum dry density (MDD) of the natural soil sample increased from 1.72 and 1.76 g/m’ to 1.84 and 1.85 g/m’ at 8% CKD for BSL and WAS, respectively. The unsoaked CBR of the specimen increased from 17 to 35% for 0-10% addition of CKD, and a similar trend was observed for the 24 hours soaked CBR values. This study indicated that CKD, though regarded as waste material, can be used to improve the geotechnical properties of Ede clay.