1.1 Introduction
Lateritic soils are generally used for road construction in Nigeria. Lateritic soil in its natural state generally have low bearing capacity and low strength due to high content of clay. When lateritic soil contains a large amount of clay materials its strength and stability cannot be guaranteed under load especially in the presence of moisture (Alhassan, 2008). It has been stated that laterite is a residual of rock decay that is red, reddish brown and yellowish in color and has a high content of oxides of iron and hydroxides of aluminum and low proportion of silica (Bello et al., 2013).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Fresh cassava root contains a toxic compound (hydrogen cyanide), which is harmful for human consumption and apparently detrimental for the use of cassava in food industries (Iglesias et al., 2002). However, research have shown that processing techniques such as peeling, fermentation, soaking and drying can detoxify and reduce the cyanide content, improve palatability and add value to the root (Cardoso et al., 2005; Burns et al., 2012). Converting cassava root into food forms and raw materials such as fufu, cassava flour, tapioca, flour, chips and pellets can extend the shelf-life, facilitate trade and promote industrial use (Taiwo, 2006; Fadeyibi, 2012).
The most available soils may lack some required engineering properties to bear the expected superimposed loads, so improvements have to be made to make these soils better through soil modification /stabilization. The volume of wastes generated in the world has also increased over the years and agricultural wastes constitute a major component. Nigeria, being the highest producer of cassava in Africa, has the highest volume of Cassava Peel (Food and Agricultural Organization FAO, 2013). One of the most attractive options of managing such wastes and minimizing their negative environmental effects is to look into the possibility of waste minimization and re-utilization. This will also help to reduce the overdependence on conventional cement for soil stabilization, which will then produce economic advantages.
When lateritic soil consist of high plastic clay, the plasticity of the soil may cause cracks and damage on pavement, road ways, building foundations or any other civil engineering construction projects. The improvement in the strength and durability of lateritic soil in the recent time become imperative, this has geared up researchers toward using stabilizing materials that can be source locally at a very low cost (Amu et al., 2011). These local materials can be classified as either agricultural or industrial wastes (Bamisaye et al., 2011). The ability to blend the naturally occurring lateritic soil with some chemical additives to give it better engineering properties in both strength and water proofing is very essential (Bamisaye et al., 2011 and Bello et al., 2014).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Structural Performance of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cassava Peel Ash and Cement.
1.3 Statement of Problems
The most available soils may lack some required engineering properties to bear the expected superimposed loads, so improvements have to be made to make these soils better through soil modification /stabilization. The volume of wastes generated in the world has also increased over the years and agricultural wastes constitute a major component. Nigeria, being the highest producer of cassava in Africa, has the highest volume of Cassava Peel (Food and Agricultural Organization FAO, 2013). One of the most attractive options of managing such wastes and minimizing their negative environmental effects is to look into the possibility of waste minimization and re-utilization. This will also help to reduce the overdependence on conventional cement for soil stabilization, which will then produce economic advantages.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the Structural Performance of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cassava Peel Ash and Cement. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the Structural Performance of Stabilized Lateritic Soil
- To perform a test on Cassava Peel Ash and Soil Sample
- To assess the Stabilized of Lateritic Soil with Cassava Peel Ash and Cement
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will help to reduce the overdependence on conventional cement for soil stabilization, which will then produce economic advantages. This study will be of immense benefit to Engineers and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Structural Performance of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cassava Peel Ash and Cement in Nigeria.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
