Ismail Bakar

Comparison of Geotechnical Properties of Laterite, Kaolin and Peat

This paper compares some geotechnical properties of Kaolin, Laterite and Peat. Laterite was collected from Bukit Banang while Peat sample was collected from Parit Nipah, both locations were in Batu Pahat, Johor. Meanwhile, kaolin that was used in this research was manufactured kaolin. These soil samples were subjected to routine laboratory analysis and resulting data were analyzed statistically using a correlation analysis. A laboratory testing program consists of “Basic properties test” to obtain general information on the materials (e.g Natural moisture content, Atterberg Limit, Specific gravity, grain size analysis, chemical composition and pH) and “Geotechnical properties tests” to measure specific properties that characterize soil behaviour for design and constructability assessments (e.g Standard Proctor Test, Unconfined Compressive Strength and CBR).The results showed that the Natural/initial moisture content for laterite, peat and kaolin is 22.54%, 480.61% and 0.22% respectively. Meanwhile Specific gravity for each soil was in the range 1.50-2.79.It was also found that the pH of all soil is acidic which lay in the range of 3.76-5.95.The UCS for the optimally compacted sample of laterite is 445.77 kPa, kaolin is 199.23 kPa and for peat is 58.70 kPa. This paper summarizes the result of analysis performed on all tests conducted. Based on the results, the geotechnical property of the soil is a highly dependent with the type of soil and therefore, determining the soil characterization and the soil strength should be considered during the planning phase of any earthwork construction operation.

Laboratory investigation of TerraZyme as a soil stabilizer

In this study, a laboratory investigation was conducted to examine the performance of TerraZyme on different soil types. Laterite and kaolin were treated with 2% and 5% TerraZyme to determine chang...

The effects of different compaction energy on geotechnical properties of kaolin and laterite

Strength and deformation parameters of compacted soil are known to be related to soil type and moisture. However, little attention has been directed towards understanding the influence of compaction energy on soil type and moisture. This study considers the effect of different compaction energy on certain geotechnical properties of Kaolin and Laterite soil. This paper describes a laboratory study conducted to evaluate the relationship between soil type, soil moisture content with different compaction energy and strength characteristic. Specimens were compacted with impact energy at levels of 596 kg/m3(Standard Proctor) and 2682 kJ/m3 (Modified Proctor) over a wide range of moisture contents to determine dry unit weight, and Unconfined Compression Strength Test (UCS). Result shows that compaction energy is an important factor in determining soil strength that should be considered during the planning phase of any earthwork construction operation.

Fiber Effects on Compressibility of Peat

Fibers found in the soil, especially in peaty soil play an important role in the determination of soil compressibility. Peat soils are the results from the decomposition of organic matter and the type of peat can be classified based on the fibrous material in the soil. In the engineering field, peat soil was mostly known as soils that has a serious settlement with high compressibility index. From the previous research, fibers in the soil were influenced in compressibility in terms of size, shape, fibric, soil arrangement and etc. Hence, this study attempts the determination of fibers effects on the compressibility of peat using a 1-D oedometer consolidation test. The reconstituted peat samples of different particle sizes were used to determine the consolidation parameters and the results obtained from reconstituted samples were also compared with the undisturbed sample. 1-D oedometer consolidation tests were performed on the samples by using the load increment method. The results shows, the higher particle size (R3.35), give higher moisture content (w = 401.20%) and higher initial void ratio (eo = 5.74). In settlement prediction, the higher the fiber content will results the higher the compression index, therefore, it will cause high of settlement.

An Evaluation of Shrinkage Measurement on Undisturbed Peat Soil Using Modified Techniques

Peat soils occur in many countries and naturally formed by the decomposition of plant matter. It will give rise to an extreme of challenging ground conditions and peat soils also are known as a very problematic soft soil. For peat soil condition, shrinkage effect is one of the factors that can affect the strength and moisture content of soils. The aim of the study is to evaluate the shrinkage measurement of peat soils with modified techniques to compare with the British Standard method. Peat samples were collected from Parit Nipah (PPN) and Pontian (PP). Linear shrinkage of undisturbed peat soil is observed every hour until there are no volume changes. Linear measurement for modified method that using undisturbed sample is extremely different and higher than British standard method which is using reconstituted soil sample that had been sieve passing 425 μm. Sieve process will disrupt the composition of actual peat soil because it will remove any decomposed plants. The shrinkage measurements during the drying process influenced the volume of peat soils as the volume decreases when the soil is shrunk.

Consolidation Parameters of Reconstituted Peat Soil: Oedometer Testing

This paper presents the consolidation parameters of reconstituted peat soils with different peat soil particle sizes. The reconstituted peat sample was used to determine the consolidation parameters since the undisturbed samples were difficult to collect. The selected sizes of soil particles passing have been collected and formed the reconstituted peat samples by preloaded a pressure to remove the extra water. The testing involve was one-dimensional oedometer consolidation test with the load increment method (5 – 320kPa). It is important to gather the information about a soil profile, especially on consolidation properties which were important in predicting the settlement of soil. Based on the results, compression index (Cc) and swell index (Cs), the values were increased with the increasing peat particles size.

An Investigation of Soil Volume Changes at Four Dimensional Points of Peat Soil Sample in Parit Nipah and Pontian

Peat soils occur in many countries and formed naturally through the decomposition of plant and animal matter. These soils are known as a very problematic soft soil due to its low bearing capacity and high compressibility. These two main factors may be based on the characteristics of the soil itself. This study is focused on its physical properties and shrinkage measurement. It is also to investigate the shrinkage measurement that obtained from the diameter at four dimensional points and bar linear shrinkage method for both location peat sample. There are varies method that can be used in order to obtain a full description of the shrinkage behavior of peat. The sample was taken from two different locations which are Parit Nipah and Pontian. Linear shrinkage method is used to determine the soil shrinkage from linear measurements on a bar mould with disturbed soil that passing 0.425mm sieve. However, this method was modified by using undisturbed sample to compare the result with bar linear shrinkage method and the measurement was obtained by the reduction of its diameter at four points of the sample. Linear shrinkage values obtained from Parit Nipah and Pontian by following British Standard method are 34.77% and 33.09% respectively while modified linear method gives the value of 35.25% for Parit Nipah and 32.85% for Pontian. Modified method shows that peat soil from both locations shrinks in irregular shape due to Point C of Parit Nipah and Pontian peat sample has the smallest diameter compared to other points within 24 hours oven-dried. It also shows that Parit Nipah peat soil has a higher percentage of linear shrinkage for both method instead of Pontian peat soil. The linear shrinkage values that obtained from bar linear shrinkage and modified linear shrinkage gives smaller different values which is nearly same for both method.

Numerical Modelling of Prefabricated Vertical Drain for Soft Clay Using ABAQUS

Construction, buildings and infrastructure founded on soft clays are often affected by settlement problem. Therefore, Prefabricated Vertical Drain (PVD) is one of the best solutions to accelerate soil consolidation by shortening the drainage path. In this study, numerical investigation was carried out to pursue a better understanding of the consolidation behavior of soft clay improved with PVD. The consolidation process accelerated by PVD with surcharge of 50 kPa was analysed using the ABAQUS software by adopting an elastic model. The aim of this study is to compare the settlement and the required time to fully consolidate the soft soil at different drain spacings (1.0 m, 1.5 m and 2.0 m) for two different thickness of the clay layer. The results shows that the time required to completely consolidate the soft soil for 12 m and 20 m thickness of clay layer with different spacings are in the range of 3 months to 66 months. The settlement rate and excess pore water pressure dissipation are increased when the spacing of the drain closer.

Shearing Rate Effects On Research Centre For Soft Soils (Recess) Clay Using Cone Penetration Test (CPT)

A wide range of industrial applications, on land and offshore, require the solution of time domain problems and an associated understanding of rate effects in clay soils. In recent decades many researchers have examined the correlation between shear strength of soils and variation of shear strain rate and it is generally accepted that the strength increases by 1-5% for each order of magnitude increase in shear strain rate. This paper discusses the effects of penetration rate on the penetration resistance (qc) by using cone penetration test (CPT) test setup. The research had been conducted at RECESS and cone penetration test were used in three selected range of rate which were 0.5 cm/s, 1cm/s and 5cm/s. In addition, Mackintosh probe testhad been considered as comparison with CPT test for the unconfined compressive strength. The result shows different penetration rate influenced the soil shear strength. For the slowest rate (0.5 cm/s), the shear strength was approximately 0.15% less compared to the standard rate (2 cm/s). However, for the highest rate (5 cm/s), the shear strength was 0.22% more than the reference rate (0.5 cm/s). In conclusion, it is suggested that the RECESS clay soil influenced by the rate effect and in agreement with previous research findings.

New Lightweight Construction Material: Cellular Mat Using Recycled Plastic

Applications of lightweight construction materials enable the design and construction in challenging, difficult and demanding scenarios. Construction materials with enhanced stiffness as in sandwich panels, large portable structures and floating foundations are examples of such materials. The advent of cellular structure technology has actively introduced innovation and enabled design and construction, meeting engineering requirements such as in the construction of the body of air crafts. Cellular mat structures present in the minimum, triple benefits in being lightweight, load sharing and minimising non-uniform deformation. This paper further explores the use of recycled plastic waste as the base material for an innovative geomaterial. The combination of cellular structure, mat structure and use of recycled waste material is a desirable development in manufacturing. Paper also outlines the techno social benefit of adopting such material in construction. Other application-specific benefits related to cellular mats are those like noise reduction, energy absorption, thermal insulation, mechanical damping. This paper specifically presents the development of a new multifunctional lightweight material is been proposed as an invective innovation for highway construction on challenging ground condition.