Influence of Compaction Energies on the Strength Characteristics of Lime-Treated Oil-Contaminated Lateritic Soil

Abstract

Abstract Used lubricating oil–contaminated soil was treated with up to 6 % lime content by dry weight of soil. Specimens of artificially contaminated and treated lateritic soil were compacted using two compaction energies, namely, standard proctor (SP) and West African standard (WAS) or “intermediate.” Samples were subjected to compaction and strength [unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR)] tests. The results of laboratory tests show that the strength characteristics of treated soil improved with higher compaction energy. The UCS values increased with increased compaction energy; for instance, for samples containing 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % oil content and treated with 2 % lime content, compacted with SP compaction energy, the UCS values obtained were: 446, 563, and 581 kN/m2. Whereas for samples containing the same mix compacted with WAS compaction energy, the UCS values obtained were: 607, 616, and 625 kN/m2. On the other hand, the peak unsoaked CBR values recorded for the same soil–oil–lime mixtures are 35 %, 27 %, and 19 % for samples compacted with SP energy and 40 %, 30 %, and 30 % for samples compacted with WAS compaction energy.