Focus– To design a mix design using locally sourced materials like rice husk ash, wood ash and Kaolin for the improvement of rural access roads to withstand every weather.
Organised by- Geotechnics Sector, Road Research Department.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of this research project is to explore the viability of producing binders for all-weather access earth roads using agro/industrial wastes to harness the alkali activation process for stabilisation.
This would be achieved by:
- Synthesis and characterization of alkali activated binders using solely agro/industrial wastes;
- Examining the effect of the binders on geotechnical properties of the soil;
iii. Assessing the effect of curing periods on the alkali-activation process;
- Evaluating the effect of soil mineralogy on the alkali activation process
There is a need to explore the possibility of conducting research into eco-efficient and lower embodied energy cements that can potentially form a key component for a sustainable future global construction material
Alkali activation process is a technology that allows for synthesis of binders that can improve soils and other materials under ambient conditions
Outcome
The study has demonstrated the feasibility of total replacement of synthetic alkali activators with agrowastes in alkali activation process
Inclusion of binder content significantly modified the strength of some soils by up to 95% and improved water resistance; minimal strength gain was observed with other soils.
Soil type was a significant variable in the strength development indicating that mineralogy of soils needs to be investigated in the adoption of this stabilization mechanism