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EFFECT OF VARYING CEMENTATION REAGENT CONCENTRATION ON THE INDEX AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF LATERITIC SOIL TREATED WITH BACILLUS SPHAERICUS
* 1 , * 2 , * 2 , * 2
1  Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Abuja
2  Dept. of Civil Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Academic Editor: Simeone Chianese

Abstract:

This study evaluated the index and physico-chemical characteristics of lateritic soil classified as A-2-6 (1) in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) system and SC in the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) treated with stepped Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) suspension density (i.e., 0, 1.5 x 108, 6.0 x 108, 1.2 x 109, 1.8 x 109, 2.4 x 109 cells/ml) for varying cementation reagent (Cr) concentration (i.e., 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 M)using 25 Bs:75 Cr, 50 Bs:50 Cr, 75 Bs:25 Cr mix ratios, respectively. Results obtained show that the optimum calcium carbonate content was 9.0 %, 8.7 %, and 6.5 % for bacteria-cementation mix ratios stated above, respectively, for Bs (1.2 x 109 cells/ml) and Cr (0.5 M) with urease activity of 80.8 ms/cm and optimum pH of 8.99. Bio-treatment of soil with 25% bacteria (1.2 x 109 cells/ml) and 75% Cr (0.5 M) mix ratio reduced the liquid limit (LL) of the natural soil from 36.5 to 34.2 %, and the plasticity index (PI) from 16.4 to 11.6 %. Microanalysis of specimens showed that the treated soil appears more uniform and aggregated. The findings of the study show that lateritic soil bio-treated with 25 Bs (1.2 x 109 cells/ml) : 75 Cr (0.5 M) mix ratio can improve the index and physico-chemical properties of lateritic soil.

Keywords: Bacillus sphaericus; Cementation reagent; Index properties; Lateritic soil; Physico-chemical properties
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