Study to Improve Engineering Properties of the Mixtures of Cinder, Natural Pozzolana and Lateritic Soils for Construction of Surfacing Layers of Low Volume Roads in Mbeya Region Tanzania

Authors

  • Ally Seleman Mwita Mbeya University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 131 Mbeya, Tanzania
  • Dr. Duwa Hamisi Chengula Mbeya University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 131 Mbeya, Tanzania
  • Prof. Joseph John Msambichaka Mbeya University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 131 Mbeya, Tanzania

Keywords:

LVRs, lateritic soils, cinder, pozzolana, CBR, MDD, characterization, blending process, engineering properties

Abstract

The availability of suitable gravel materials for road construction that meet specified standards are becoming scarce and the use of available marginal materials shows challenges of not meeting engineering properties for construction of surfacing layers of Low Volume Roads (LVRs). This study aims at investigating the engineering properties of the mixtures of marginal materials which are natural cinder gravel, natural pozzolana and lateritic soils. Natural cinder and natural pozzolana were sourced from Ituha area in Mbeya Region and lateritic soils were sourced from Busale area in Tukuyu District Mbeya Region. In order to improve engineering properties of these marginal materials blending process of the three source materials was conducted. Characterization of source materials and four different blends which are 19La22Po59Ci, 21La20Po59Ci, 23La18Po59Ci and 25La16Po59Ci used for this study were conducted. The tests performed includes particle size distribution, Atterberg limit, compaction test and California bearing ratio.Laboratory test results indicates that all three source materials did not meet criteria to be used for construction of surfacing layer materials of LVRs in Tanzania. The results indicate that all four blends used for this study meet the specification as gravel materials for the construction of surfacing layers of LVRs in Tanzania. This is because the GC and SP values are within the recommended ranges and CBR values are above the minimum of 15%. From the results of this study, it is recommended to improve the engineering properties of marginal materials through blending techniques which could reduce the cost of construction and solve the challenge of scarce suitable materials in many areas in Tanzania.

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Published

2024-05-26

How to Cite

Ally Seleman Mwita, Dr. Duwa Hamisi Chengula, & Prof. Joseph John Msambichaka. (2024). Study to Improve Engineering Properties of the Mixtures of Cinder, Natural Pozzolana and Lateritic Soils for Construction of Surfacing Layers of Low Volume Roads in Mbeya Region Tanzania. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 98(1), 24–36. Retrieved from https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/10305

Issue

Vol. 98 No. 1 (2024)

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Articles

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