Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Articles

CJET: Vol. 4 No. 1, June 2020

Effects of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Strips on Some Engineering Properties of Cement-Stabilized Lateritic Soils

  • C.M.O. Nwaiwu, D.1. Onah & E.O. Mezie
Submitted
June 18, 2020
Published
2020-06-18

Abstract

The study investigated the compaction and strength characteristics of lateritic soils stabilized with 3% cement and waste sachet water-proof (low-density polyethylene, LDPE) strips. Three (3) lateritic samples collected from Ugwuoba, Nawfia, and Okpuno in Enugu and Anambra states of Nigeria were used in the study. Index properties tests on the samples show that they fall within class A-2-6(1) and A-2-4(0) based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and SM/SC based on Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). LDPE strips were varied at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, and 2% based on the dry unit weight of the soil. Results of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests show significant improvement in the strength of the soils at 2 % LDPE strips. Statistical analysis also shows that a significant relationship exists between the percentage of LDPE strips, compactive effort, and maximum dry unit weight (MDUW)/optimum moisture content (OMC), UCS of the soils. The tensile and flexural strength of lateritic soil stabilized with 3% cement can be improved optimally by the addition of 2% of low-cost LDPE strips of aspect ratio (AR) of 10 mm  10 mm.