Utilization of Coffee Husk Ash on the Geotechnical Properties of Gypsum-Stabilized Expansive Clayey Soil

Abstract

Expansive clayey soils (CSs) expand and become softer as moisture content increases, but they get harder and stronger as they dry out. The earth’s swelling and shrinkage characteristics under varying moisture conditions make roads built on expansive CS, in particular, vulnerable to early degradation. In this investigation, coffee husk ash (CHA), gypsum, and a blend of the two additives (G-CHA) were used in experimental tests to treat expansive CS. This study aims to evaluate experimentally the potential of expansive soil stabilization using different additives: CHA, gypsum, and a combination of gypsum and CHA. Five different percentages of CHA (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%), three percentages of gypsum (3%, 6%, and 9%), and variable percentages of their combinations were used to stabilize the soil for pavement subgrade application. Atterberg limits, compaction, linear shrinkage (LS), swelling, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were performed on treated and virgin soil specimens at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56-day curing times. Results showed that CHA additives effectively reduced the plasticity, LS, and swell potential in addition to increasing the maximum dry unit weight, UCS, and CBR. It was determined that the UCS and CBR values for the 6% stabilized gypsum soil increased by 28.95% and 19.54%, respectively, and reduced by 41% of the plastic index parameter after the addition of 15% CHA. Based on the evaluation of the results, an optimum mixture of 6% gypsum and 15% CHA (SG6C15) stabilized soil can be used in pavement subgrade applications as it achieved the minimum strength target. The performance of CHA-treated samples as subgrade material is superior to that of untreated virgin soil. Because of the stronger subgrade, smaller pavement layers result in a thinner pavement structure.