Improvement of marginal lateritic soil using Melamine Debris replacement for sustainable engineering fill materials

Abstract

This research evaluates the physical and mechanical properties of marginal lateritic soil and Melamine Debris (MD) blends as a sustainable engineering fill material. Physical property tests included specific gravity, water absorption, Atterberg limits, Los Angeles (LA) abrasion and particle-size distribution, while mechanical property tests included California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and swelling. The results indicate that MD as non-plastic coarse-grained and durable material (LA = 11.3%) can be used as an alternative replacement material for engineering fill materials. The MD replacement of lateritic soil reduces the fine content and increases the abrasion resistance of the soil particles, hence the reduction in liquid limit, plasticity index, LA abrasion and particle breakage. This physical property improvement leads to superior mechanical properties (soaked CBR and swelling) with increasing MD replacement ratio as compared to the soil alone. The proposed empirical equations for predicting soaked CBR and swelling of blends at different MD replacement ratios and compaction energy levels are useful in the selection of the suitable MD replacement to attain targeted mechanical property requirements. The physical and mechanical properties of the 20% MD replacement blend were found to meet the requirement of local road authority for engineering fill materials while the 50% MD replacement blend was at the borderline for a subbase course material.