As a civil and structural engineer with three years of experience, I have developed a strong passion for research in civil and structural engineering, particularly in the field of materials science engineering. My work has focused on innovative soil stabilization techniques, exploring the potential of alternative materials to improve the properties of problematic soils for construction projects. I am particularly interested in investigating the use of agricultural waste materials as partial replacements for traditional stabilizers like lime and cement. Through comprehensive laboratory testing and field trials, I aim to evaluate the effectiveness of these alternative materials in enhancing the engineering properties of soils, including their bearing capacity, plasticity, and compaction characteristics. Additionally, I seek to explore the long-term performance and durability of these stabilization techniques under various loading conditions and environmental factors, contributing to the development of reliable and sustainable design guidelines for geotechnical engineering projects. My research not only addresses practical challenges faced in the industry but also aims to promote sustainable and cost-effective solutions in civil engineering, ultimately leading to a more environmentally friendly approach to construction Supervisors: Eng.Anthony Gatune Phone: +254106942064 Address: 1950
ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF SORGHUM STALK ASH ON THE ENGINEERING BEHAVIOR OF LIME-MODIFIED RED COFFEE SOIL FOR ROAD SUBGRADE CONSTRUCTION., 2024
This research was done to investigate engineering properties of red coffee soil when lime was par... more This research was done to investigate engineering properties of red coffee soil when lime was partially replaced with sorghum stalk ash at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of the red coffee soil for road subgrade construction. Atterberg limits tests, Proctor test and California bearing ratio tests were done on neat sample and after replacement of lime with sorghum stalk ash. All the tests were done according to the stated standards. The optimum percentage replacement of lime with SSA was achieved at 5% by weight of red coffee soil. The liquid limit of the soil was 30.9% compared to the control sample which was 30.7% representing an increase of 0.7% from the control. The soil sample showed non plastic properties, since it could not be rolled between the palms of the fingers. This implied that the soil had little clay content. The linear shrinkage of the soil was 2.9% compared to the control which has a shrinkage of 1.4%, representing an increase of 107% from the control sample. Five (5%) percent replacement of lime with SSA gave a maximum dry density of 1360kg/m3 which was lower than the control sample which had a maximum dry density of 1377kg/m3, representing a decrease of 1.2%. The CBR value was 9.2% compared to the control which had a CBR of 10.6% representing a decrease of 13.2%. However the resulting subgrade strength still fell within the subgrade class S3 (CBR 7-13%). This material is therefore suitable for the construction of type 3 pavement structures which supports traffic class T5, T4 and T3 (Road Designers Manual Part III 1987). The research proved that it is possible to partially replace lime with SSA up to 5% by weight of red coffee soil in road subgrade construction resulting in savings in the construction cost since less lime will be bought
INVESTIGATION OF ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE GRADE C20 WHEN CEMENT IS PARTIALLY REPLACED WITH PUMICE ROCK POWDER., 2024
This paper is an experimental study that seeks to explore engineering properties of concrete grad... more This paper is an experimental study that seeks to explore engineering properties of concrete grade C20 when cement is partially replaced with Pumice rock powder. The focus is on the effects on workability ,compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of grade 20 concrete. A constant water cement ratio of 0.45 was maintained in preparing concrete mix. Pumice rock powder was added to concrete in percentages of 10%, 20% ,30% and 40% and the results of the tests compared with that of control concrete mix. Slump test was carried out and it showed that workability of concrete mix increased with Increase in PRP in concrete while compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of the concrete increased marginally compared to that of control during 7, 14 and 28 days of testing. 30% replacement of cement with PRP achieved the highest compressive strength and tensile splitting strength. Due to the results of the test Pumice rock powder qualifies to be used as a pozzolana since it improves workability, compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete.
ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF SORGHUM STALK ASH ON THE ENGINEERING BEHAVIOR OF LIME-MODIFIED RED COFFEE SOIL FOR ROAD SUBGRADE CONSTRUCTION., 2024
This research was done to investigate engineering properties of red coffee soil when lime was par... more This research was done to investigate engineering properties of red coffee soil when lime was partially replaced with sorghum stalk ash at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of the red coffee soil for road subgrade construction. Atterberg limits tests, Proctor test and California bearing ratio tests were done on neat sample and after replacement of lime with sorghum stalk ash. All the tests were done according to the stated standards. The optimum percentage replacement of lime with SSA was achieved at 5% by weight of red coffee soil. The liquid limit of the soil was 30.9% compared to the control sample which was 30.7% representing an increase of 0.7% from the control. The soil sample showed non plastic properties, since it could not be rolled between the palms of the fingers. This implied that the soil had little clay content. The linear shrinkage of the soil was 2.9% compared to the control which has a shrinkage of 1.4%, representing an increase of 107% from the control sample. Five (5%) percent replacement of lime with SSA gave a maximum dry density of 1360kg/m3 which was lower than the control sample which had a maximum dry density of 1377kg/m3, representing a decrease of 1.2%. The CBR value was 9.2% compared to the control which had a CBR of 10.6% representing a decrease of 13.2%. However the resulting subgrade strength still fell within the subgrade class S3 (CBR 7-13%). This material is therefore suitable for the construction of type 3 pavement structures which supports traffic class T5, T4 and T3 (Road Designers Manual Part III 1987). The research proved that it is possible to partially replace lime with SSA up to 5% by weight of red coffee soil in road subgrade construction resulting in savings in the construction cost since less lime will be bought
INVESTIGATION OF ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE GRADE C20 WHEN CEMENT IS PARTIALLY REPLACED WITH PUMICE ROCK POWDER., 2024
This paper is an experimental study that seeks to explore engineering properties of concrete grad... more This paper is an experimental study that seeks to explore engineering properties of concrete grade C20 when cement is partially replaced with Pumice rock powder. The focus is on the effects on workability ,compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of grade 20 concrete. A constant water cement ratio of 0.45 was maintained in preparing concrete mix. Pumice rock powder was added to concrete in percentages of 10%, 20% ,30% and 40% and the results of the tests compared with that of control concrete mix. Slump test was carried out and it showed that workability of concrete mix increased with Increase in PRP in concrete while compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of the concrete increased marginally compared to that of control during 7, 14 and 28 days of testing. 30% replacement of cement with PRP achieved the highest compressive strength and tensile splitting strength. Due to the results of the test Pumice rock powder qualifies to be used as a pozzolana since it improves workability, compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete.
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Thesis Chapters by David Muchiri
The optimum percentage replacement of lime with SSA was achieved at 5% by weight of red coffee soil. The liquid limit of the soil was 30.9% compared to the control sample which was 30.7% representing an increase of 0.7% from the control. The soil sample showed non plastic properties, since it could not be rolled between the palms of the fingers. This implied that the soil had little clay content. The linear shrinkage of the soil was 2.9% compared to the control which has a shrinkage of 1.4%, representing an increase of 107% from the control sample.
Five (5%) percent replacement of lime with SSA gave a maximum dry density of 1360kg/m3 which was lower than the control sample which had a maximum dry density of 1377kg/m3, representing a decrease of 1.2%. The CBR value was 9.2% compared to the control which had a CBR of 10.6% representing a decrease of 13.2%. However the resulting subgrade strength still fell within the subgrade class S3 (CBR 7-13%). This material is therefore suitable for the construction of type 3 pavement structures which supports traffic class T5, T4 and T3 (Road Designers Manual Part III 1987). The research proved that it is possible to partially replace lime with SSA up to 5% by weight of red coffee soil in road subgrade construction resulting in savings in the construction cost since less lime will be bought
C20 when cement is partially replaced with Pumice rock powder. The focus is on the effects on
workability ,compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of grade 20 concrete.
A constant water cement ratio of 0.45 was maintained in preparing concrete mix. Pumice rock
powder was added to concrete in percentages of 10%, 20% ,30% and 40% and the results of the
tests compared with that of control concrete mix.
Slump test was carried out and it showed that workability of concrete mix increased with
Increase in PRP in concrete while compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of the
concrete increased marginally compared to that of control during 7, 14 and 28 days of testing.
30% replacement of cement with PRP achieved the highest compressive strength and tensile
splitting strength.
Due to the results of the test Pumice rock powder qualifies to be used as a pozzolana since it
improves workability, compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete.
The optimum percentage replacement of lime with SSA was achieved at 5% by weight of red coffee soil. The liquid limit of the soil was 30.9% compared to the control sample which was 30.7% representing an increase of 0.7% from the control. The soil sample showed non plastic properties, since it could not be rolled between the palms of the fingers. This implied that the soil had little clay content. The linear shrinkage of the soil was 2.9% compared to the control which has a shrinkage of 1.4%, representing an increase of 107% from the control sample.
Five (5%) percent replacement of lime with SSA gave a maximum dry density of 1360kg/m3 which was lower than the control sample which had a maximum dry density of 1377kg/m3, representing a decrease of 1.2%. The CBR value was 9.2% compared to the control which had a CBR of 10.6% representing a decrease of 13.2%. However the resulting subgrade strength still fell within the subgrade class S3 (CBR 7-13%). This material is therefore suitable for the construction of type 3 pavement structures which supports traffic class T5, T4 and T3 (Road Designers Manual Part III 1987). The research proved that it is possible to partially replace lime with SSA up to 5% by weight of red coffee soil in road subgrade construction resulting in savings in the construction cost since less lime will be bought
C20 when cement is partially replaced with Pumice rock powder. The focus is on the effects on
workability ,compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of grade 20 concrete.
A constant water cement ratio of 0.45 was maintained in preparing concrete mix. Pumice rock
powder was added to concrete in percentages of 10%, 20% ,30% and 40% and the results of the
tests compared with that of control concrete mix.
Slump test was carried out and it showed that workability of concrete mix increased with
Increase in PRP in concrete while compressive strength and tensile splitting strength of the
concrete increased marginally compared to that of control during 7, 14 and 28 days of testing.
30% replacement of cement with PRP achieved the highest compressive strength and tensile
splitting strength.
Due to the results of the test Pumice rock powder qualifies to be used as a pozzolana since it
improves workability, compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete.