EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS OF SILICA- SESQUIOXIDE TREATED WITH NOVOCRETE AND ITS LOCAL REPLICA

Abstract

The study assessed the constituent materials of an imported stabilizer, Novocrete and developed its replica from materials sourced locally in Nigeria. The approach used in the conduct of this study was hierarchically categorized into five progressive stages. These stages include collection of silicasesquioxide soil materials (laterite) and testing in the laboratory to determine the natural geotechnical characteristics, determination of constituent materials of NovoCrete, development of a local replica of NovoCrete, stabilization of laterite with NovoCrete and the developed local replica in varied mixes, and comparison of the engineering properties of laterite stabilized with NovoCrete and laterite stabilized local replica. Three silica and sesquioxide (laterite) samples were sourced for and each of the samples was designated as sample A, B and C. According to AASHTO soil classification, sample A, B and C belongs to A-7-5, A-7-6 and A-6 respectively. The result of the investigation shows that NovoCrete consist mainly of calcium oxide, CaO (72.65%), Magnesium oxide, MgO (11.83%), acid insoluble (13.42%) and sparing amount of aluminum oxide, Al 2 O 3 (1.01%) and ferric oxide, Fe 2 O 3 (1.09%). NovoCrete was successfully replicated locally. The use of NovoCrete and the local replica with cement blend as soil stabilizers improved significantly the engineering properties of the soil. The most significant improvement in the CBR properties of sample A, B and C was recorded when 5% cement and 2% NovoCrete or Local replica was used in the stabilizer mix and thus was recommended for use. The result of the ANOVA analysis carried shows that, the use of either NovoCrete or its local replica gave almost similar effects on the engineering properties of the re-engineered or stabilized silica and sesquioxide (laterite) samples.