An investigation of the effects of degree of compaction on swelling pressure and strength of black cotton soil.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1998
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to analyse the suitability of black cotton soil for road embankment construction through studying the swelling characteristics and soaked strength of the soil in relation to compaction and surcharge applied during soaking. The black cotton soil from Rufiji basin south of Dar es salaam was studied. One of the areas of trouble in the road construction industry is that with black cotton soils which are generally not suitable for road construction. Usually these soils have to be avoided or removed if shallow. However, if this is not feasible, this study considers the alternative of using the material for road embankment construction. In this study swelling pressure on soaking of the black cotton soil compacted at different degrees of compaction and moisture content were determined. Similarly, effects of different surcharge loads on soaked strength of the soils were studied. The results indicated that the swelling pressure of the soil increases with increasing degree of compaction and decreases with increasing initial compaction moisture. The strength of the soil measured in terms of California Bearing Ratio(CBR) after four days soaking increases while the CBR swell decreases with increasing surcharge applied during soaking. The black cotton soil compacted at 95% modified AASHTO MDD and subjected to an overburden of at least lm of sand layer will maintain the strength and swelling limits at all conditions.
Description
Available in print form (THS EAF S597.C65.M37)
Keywords
Embalements, Roads, Black cotton soil, Rufiji basin, Tanzania
Citation
Mataka, M. O. (1998). An investigation of the effects of degree of compaction on swelling pressure and strength of black cotton soil. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.