Strength Behaviour of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Treated Sewage Sludge-Soil Mixture

Abstract

Laboratory tests were conducted on sugarcane bagasse ash treated sewage sludge-soil mixture with 5%, 10% and 30% bagasse ash to assess its strength behaviour. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was performed to observed influence of bagasse ash content (BAC), curing time, water content on value of UCS and axial strain. Soil sample were prepared using standard proctor at 60% of optimum water content. Results recorded value of UCS reached peaked at 20% BAC and then dropped by 46% at 30% BAC. Axial strain increased for every additional BAC. Result shown curing period influence UCS, as curing time longer the value of UCS also rose. Other findings of this study were BAC affected maximum dry density (MDD), 5% BAC and 10% BAC improved MDD but 20% BAC and 30% BAC would reduce value UCS. Finally, it could be concluded 20% BAC was the optimum content to get the optimal UCS improvement of sewage sludge-soil.