Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The Niger Delta region in Nigeria is known for its challenging soil conditions, particularly in the Orashi region where soil stabilization is crucial for infrastructure development. This research project focuses on the use of natural stabilizing agents including Ogbono fibre, oil-male palm flower, plantain rachis, and white ash (OOPW) for soil stabilization in the Orashi region. The effectiveness of these materials in improving the engineering properties of the soil is investigated through laboratory testing and analysis. The study involves the collection and preparation of soil samples from selected sites in the Orashi region, followed by the addition of varying proportions of the OOPW stabilizing agents. Tests such as Atterberg limits, compaction, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) are conducted on the stabilized soil samples to evaluate their strength, moisture content, and load-bearing capacity. The results are compared with those of untreated soil to determine the impact of the stabilizing agents. The findings of the research indicate that the OOPW stabilizing agents have a significant effect on the engineering properties of the soil in the Orashi region. The addition of these natural materials results in improved compaction characteristics, reduced plasticity, and increased strength of the soil. The CBR values of the stabilized soil samples show a notable enhancement in load-bearing capacity, suggesting that the OOPW agents can effectively stabilize the soil for construction purposes. Furthermore, the study evaluates the economic feasibility and environmental sustainability of using Ogbono fibre, oil-male palm flower, plantain rachis, and white ash as soil stabilizing agents. The abundance and accessibility of these materials in the Niger Delta region make them cost-effective alternatives to conventional stabilizers. Additionally, the organic nature of these materials minimizes environmental impact, presenting a sustainable solution for soil stabilization in the region. In conclusion, the research project demonstrates the potential of OOPW stabilizing agents in enhancing the engineering properties of soil in the Orashi region of the Niger Delta. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure solutions that address the unique soil challenges in the region while promoting the utilization of locally available natural resources for soil stabilization purposes.

Thesis Overview

1.1         BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

There is an increasing interest in engineering to mimic and maximize the benefits of natural process. The purpose is to achieve an engineering end that has minimal impact on the environment and also be less expensive to implement. Environmental engineering professions pursuit. The changes in our environment has incurred about the possibilities of new technologies for soil improvement and stabilization. Soil is a naturally occurring materials that are used for construction of all except the surface layers of pavement (i.e asphalt and concrete), in many situations, soil cannot be used directly as road service layers, foundation layers and as a construction materials, for this reason the properties of those soils cannot be changed. The construction of structures these days are being carried out on land with poor soil, the stability of any structure depends on the properties of soil. Land with weak soils used for constructions result to ground improvement techniques such as soil stabilization and reinforcement, most of the soil available have better compressive strength, proper   shear strength and weak in tension (poor tensile strength). (Chapale and Dhatrak, 2013).

From research early soil stabilization began in early 1970’s in India, which leads engineers to device a means of improving the soil rather than replacing the weak soil at the site. Soil stabilization has taken a new shape in recent times due to increase of demand for infrastructure, raw material and fuel; it’s emerging as a popular and cost effective method.

Construction of civil engineering structures on weak or soft soil is difficult without any soil improvement as of their poor shear strength and high compressibility characteristics of soil can be undertaken by different ground improvement technique. The foundation of a building or road is an essential part for effective transmission of wad to the subsoil present beneath it. The quality of soil has large impact on the type of structure and its design. Expansive soils are examples of weak soil which are encountered in foundation engineering for high ways, bridges, building and embankments etc. expansive soils are soils that has the ability of shrinkage when it comes in contact with water, it expands in rainy season as a result of water and shrinks during summer/dry season (charade et. Al. 2014).

For sustainable economic growth, use of locally natural materials should be used and encouraged, soil stabilization in this project research work is a good reinforcement material and it improves the properties of soil and it’s cost effective (Barazesh, 2012).

1.2         STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The ogbono fiber, oil male palm flower, plantain rachis, and white ash (OOPW) as a waste material can contaminate the environment.

The OOPW was used to study soil behavior and improve its strength. The results gotten are used to describe the effect of agricultural waste in stress path and stress strain relation. The OOPW are evaluated to determine the effect and degree of impact on soils used.

The rapid growth in development of Orashi’s has resulted in demand for stronger and more durable roads and buildings. Subsequently, engineers are forced to be more careful in the utilization of construction materials. Variety of factors such as increase in construction volume, severe loading conditions, shortage of suitable materials as well as poor site conditions and high cost of additives (cement, lime etc) have greatly increased for need for modification and stabilization of soils using agricultural waste. The stabilization of soils is recognized by engineers as an important process of improving the performance of problematic soils and makes marginal soils perform better as civil engineering materials (Amadi, 2010). The over dependence on the use of industrially manufactured soil improving additives (cement, lime, bitumen etc.) have kept the cost of construction of stabilized road financially high. This has deterred accessible roads of the rural developers and other urban centers as well.

The hunger to obtain cheaper additives which can be used to substitute these expensive industrially manufactured soil improving additives (bitumen, cement, lime etc) leads to the consideration of agricultural waste resources such as plantain rachis, banana rachis, ogbono fiber. Hence, the use of cheap admixtures to replace or supplement cement or lime stabilized soils especially wastes from agricultural products will eventually reduce the cost of construction works where expansive soils are found. This study matches the need for safe and environmental disposal of waste, for the society and the engineers need for better and cost effective construction materials (Collins and ciesiellski, 1993); Phanikumar and Sharma 2004; Malhotra and Metha 1996; Cokca 2001).

This work is aimed at producing agricultural waste as a substitute additive to stabilization of soil that can be implemented today and cost effective, from a tropical soil with reference from orashi region, Rivers State Nigeria.

1.3         OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

1. To investigate the changes in the area before the flood and after the flood.
2. To study the effect of replacement of part of the soil with Ogbono fiber, plantain rachis, oil palm male flower, white ash concentration future use for.

iii.           To determine the volume doe of stabilizing agent to be added for permanent usage material and also minimize the problem of waste disposal.

1. To improve onsite materials and create a solid strong base and base courses.

1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

Reasons while this study was carried out are the high cost of production, high energy demand and emission of C02 which is responsible for global warning.

In third world countries, the most commonly and partially replace cement without economic implications are bio-based materials and agro-based wastes. Such as Achawok ash, Bambara groundnut, husk ash, rice husk ash and wood ash, bamboo leaves ash etc. OPB are not commonly used, but in this study it’s investigated upon so as to start implementing it, because over dependent on the utilization of industrially manufactured soil improving additives (cement etc) have kept the cost of construction high. (Ogunribido, 2011).

1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY

For efficient   project done, certain areas were covered to ensure that the research work is done comprehensively and encompasses all necessary areas, which includes:

1. Site visitation of the study area
2. Collection of samples

iii.           Sieve analysis test

1. Atterberg limit test
2. Compaction test

1.6   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Soil Stabilization according to Wikipedia is a combined method of changing a natural soil to meet an engineering purpose.

Lime Stabilization is the addition of binder product (quicklime) to the host material which reduces moisture dramatically turning the unusable material into a valid construction material with a 5% CBR.

Mechanical Soil Stabilization is the compaction or the introduction of fibrous and other non-biodegradable reinforcements to the soil. It does not require chemical change of the soil.

Ogbono Fiber which is commonly known as wild mango or bush mango, came from a family of the “genus Irvingia”, they bear edible mango-like fruits. The fiber is gotten after its fruit has been eaten off, it’s then allowed to dry properly and you scrip-off from shell.

Plantain Rachis is an agricultural waste. The plantain is a crop from the genus Musa. The plantain rachises are gotten from the bracketed stalk that stretches from the first fruit to the male.

The Oil Palm Male Flowers are formed when the young oil palm has been planted in the palm grove, the flowers are then form at the base of each leaf.