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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM63744
Volume:
10 |
5 |
May 2026
Pages:
1-9
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Civil Engineering
Sasi Institute of Technology & Engineering
Civil Engineering
Sasi Institute of Technology & Engineering
Civil Engineering
Sasi Institute of Technology & Engineering
Civil Engineering
Sasi Institute of Technology & Engineering
Civil Engineering
Sasi Institute of Technology & Engineering
Clayey soils are widely recognized for their problematic behavior, including high plasticity, low strength, and poor load bearing capacity, which limit their suitability for construction. This research investigates the stabilization of clayey soil using Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA), an industrial by product with pozzolanic properties, to evaluate its effectiveness as a sustainable stabilizer. A systematic methodology was adopted, beginning with material collection and specimen preparation, followed by laboratory testing of untreated soil and soil treated with varying POFA contents (1–14%). The tests conducted included Atterberg’s limits, Standard Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), with additional curing studies to assess long term performance. The Atterberg’s limits results revealed that POFA modifies soil plasticity in a non linear manner. At low dosages (1–2%), POFA reduced plasticity and improved workability, while higher levels (around 10%) increased liquid limit and plasticity index due to enhanced ash–clay binding. Curing further strengthened POFA’s effect, reducing plasticity and improving soil consistency over time. Compaction results showed that POFA increased Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) steadily from 23% to over 31%, while Maximum Dry Density (MDD) improved up to 10% POFA (1.61 g/cc) before declining at higher percentages. Strength tests confirmed POFA’s stabilizing potential. The soaked CBR value of virgin soil was only 0.86, but improved to 3.85 at 10% POFA, identifying this dosage as optimum for subgrade applications. Similarly, UCS values rose from 32.63 kg/cm² in virgin soil to 115.06 kg/cm² at 10% POFA, with curing further enhancing strength to 119.35 kg/cm². Beyond 10%, strength declined, emphasizing the importance of dosage control. Overall, the study demonstrates that POFA is an effective and sustainable stabilizer for clayey soils. It reduces plasticity, enhances compaction, and significantly improves strength, particularly at an optimum dosage of 10% POFA. These findings highlight POFA’s potential to transform weak soils into durable, workable materials suitable for geotechnical and construction applications, while promoting environmental sustainability through waste utilization.
KEYWORDS
The study confirms that Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) has a significant influence on the engineering properties of clayey soil. At low percentages, POFA reduces plasticity and improves workability, while at higher levels (around 10%) it enhances strength and compaction before declining with excessive addition. Compaction tests showed increased Optimum Moisture Content and improved Maximum Dry Density up to 10% POFA, while California Bearing Ratio values rose to 3.85 at the same dosage, marking the optimum level for load‑bearing capacity. Unconfined Compressive Strength results further highlighted POFA’s effectiveness, with strength peaking at about 115 kg/cm² initially and 119 kg/cm² after 28 days of curing, demonstrating the long‑term benefits of pozzolanic reactions. Overall, POFA acts as a sustainable stabilizer that improves soil texture, density, and strength, provided its dosage is carefully controlled to avoid reductions in performance at higher contents.
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Publication Date
5/22/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research work.
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