The Effect of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Spent Catalyst RCC 15 on the Plasticity Index Value of Expansive Clay Soil
Esron Padiri1, b), Syahril2, a), Juang Akbardin3, c) and Elrich Gratiawan WD Gulo1, d)

1Applied Masters Program in Infrastructure Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Bandung State Polytechnic, Bandung, Indonesia
2Department of Civil Engineering, Bandung State Polytechnic, Bandung, Indonesia
3Department of Civil Engineering, Indonesian University of Education, Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

Infrastructure is a major support for the economy of a country, but there are many road infrastructures that suffer from geotechnical problems, causing damage to the road. This condition can certainly hamper the mobility of the community and thus reduce the economic rate. Subgrade problems in road pavements result in potholes, damage, cracks and bumpy roads. In fact, the damage to the road has been repaired many times, but the damage continues. This is caused by poor subgrade soils such as expansive clay. Expansive clay is a soil that has a high swelling potential when there is a change in the soil moisture content system. Its swelling potential can cause damage to the pavement, so efforts must be made to improve the soil. Expansive clay soil samples used in this study were collected in Cililin District, West Bandung Regency, West Java. Based on the results of tests conducted on the initial soil and stabilized soil, the values of specific gravity, bulk density, and plasticity index were increased. Variation V3 with a mixture of 12% rice husk ash (RHA) and 13% spent catalyst RCC 15 showed a significant effect on soil properties. The water content decreased from 51,49% to 31,22%, the dry weight increased from 11,51 kN/m3 to 13,6 kN/m3, the saturated weight increased from 16,89 kN/m3 to 18,29 kN/m3, the specific gravity increased from 2,68 to 2,75, and the PI value decreased from 38,27% to 15,8%. The changes in soil properties changed the soil classification from inorganic clay (CH) to inorganic silt (ML).

Keywords: Expansive Clay, Soil Stabilization, Rice Husk Ash, Spent Catalyst RCC 15, Plasticity Index

Topic: Soil sciences