A

PROJECT REPORT
ON
“SOIL STABILIZATION WITH MOLASSES”

B.Tech Civil Engineering

4rd year

SEMINAR INCHARGE SEMINAR GUIDE

Mr. IRSHAD ALI Ms. VIJETA VERMA

Submitted By

MOHD SIFAAL ABBAS- 16078088

MOHD ZEESHAN SAIFI-16078089

SALMAN KHAN- 16078092

SHABAB ALAM- 16078095

AMAAN RAZA- 1306004

BILAL-16078015

Department of Civil Engineering

IFTM UNIVERSITY MORADABAD,LODHIPUR RAJPUT(244001)

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our gratitude to our Seminar Incharge Mr. IRSHAD ALI &
Seminar Guide Ms. VIJETA VERMA Assistant profeesor her consistent supervised,
valuble guidance and encouraging attitude during the preparation of this project.

We are also higly indebted to all family members, who avail each and every oppotyunity
in the completion of our seminar.

At lat but not least I want to thanks to my admirable parents and dear friends for helping
me & giving valuable suggest was more support.

MOHD SIFAL ABBAS-16078088

MOHD ZEESHAN SAIFI- 16078089

SALMAN KHAN- 16078092

SHABAB ALAM- 16078095

AMAAN RAZA- 13060004

BILAL-16078015

B.Tech 4rd year

 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that seminar report entitled ‘SOIL STABILIZATION WITH MOLASSES’,
Submitted by, MOHD SIFAL ABBAS-16078088,MOHD ZEESHAN SAIFI-16078089,
SALMAN KHAN-16078092,SHABAB ALAM-16078095, AMAAN RAZA-13060004,
BILAL-16078015 students of B.Tech Civil Engineering of 4rd year of IFTM UNIVERSITY
MORADABAD is a record of work carried out under my guidance and supervision,

SEMINAR GUIDE

Ms. VIJETA VERMA

Department of Civil Engineering

ABSTRACT
Road construction has become very expensive due to the increase costs on raw
materials especially cement. This research seeks to come up with an appropriate
technology that is suitable, sustainable and economically adaptable. Molasses is thereby
investigated to establish its suitability as an improvement material for neat lateritic
gravel.

This research involves an investigation on the effect of molasses on some geotechnical

properties of a lateritic soil for sub-base purposes. The investigation includes evaluation
of properties such as compaction, attergbergs limits and strength of the soil with
molasses and cement content of various ratios by weight of the dry soil.

The possibility of including molasses in the process of soil improvement/stabilization was

carried out during this study with results supporting the same. Laboratory tests were
carried out and the results from this study indicate that molasses can be used as an
additive to cement when improving the engineering properties of the gravel used with an
impact of reducing the cost of the improvement while still achieving the set standards
.
Molasses, being a sugar, retards the setting of cement by about 4 hours. The results
from this study have shown that addition of 1.0% molasses has an improving quality on
the strength of cement improved gravel improving the CBR by about 8.2%. The
combination of the increase in strength and delay in setting can be a welcome relief in
road construction where there would be a reduction in
cost and shorter construction periods respectively.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 .........................................................................................................1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT...................................................................3
1.3 STUDY JUSTIFICATION ..................................................................3
1.4 OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................3
1.4.1 Overall Objective ...............................................................................3
1.4.2 Specific Objective ..............................................................................3
1.5 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY ...............................................................3

CHAPTER 2 ..........................................................................................................5

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................5

2.1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................5
2.2 ROAD CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................7
2.3 PROCESS OF SOIL IMPROVEMENT .............................................8
2.3.1 Cement stabilization..........................................................................8
2.3.2 Lime stabilization .............................................................................9
2.3.3 Bitumen ............................................................................................9
2.3.4 Mechanical stabilization..................................................................10
2.3.5 Stabilization by compaction ...........................................................10
2.3.6 Pozzolannas ....................................................................................10
2.4 PREVIOUSSTUDIES........................................................................10

CHAPTER 3 .......................................................................................................12

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................12

3.1 INTRODUCTION 12
3.2 LABORATORY TESTS ...................................................................12
3.2.1 Moisture content determination ......................................................12
3.2.2 Particle size distribution .................................................................13
3.2.3 Atterbergs limits tests .....................................................................13
3.2.3.1 Plastic limit ..................................................................................13
3.2.3.2 Liquid limit ..................................................................................14
3.2.3.3 Plastic index .................................................................................16
3.2.3.4 Linear shrinkage............................................................................16
3.2.4 Compaction test ..............................................................................17
3.2.4.1 Proctor compaction test ...............................................................17
3.2.4.2 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) ..................................................19

CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................20

4.1 RESULTS PRESENTATIONS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION.20

4.1.1 Results,analysis and discussion ......................................................20
 4.1.2 Plasticity index results analysis ........................................................22
4.1.3 Linear shrinkage results analysis ......................................................22
4.1.4 Compaction tests result analysis .......................................................23
4.1.2 Carfornia Bearing Ratio results analysis ...........................................24
4.2.0 Cost analysis .....................................................................................25

CHAPTER 5.0 .......................................................................................................20

5.1 CONCLUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................28

5.1.1 Conclussions ....................................................................................28
5.1.2 Recommendations ............................................................................29

REFERENCES .....................................................................................................30
CHAPTER 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
Roads create and support business environment that facilitate private sector
investment, growth and job creation also trade within the country and with the
neighbouring countries heavily utilizes roads for transportation of persons,
goods and services. Adequate provision of roads is therefore an essential
precondition for sustainable economic and social development.
However, the poor state of roads in Kenya are hindering the attainment of the
above goals This is due to the compromise on the use of skilled man power and
use of substandard materials in road construction, thus roads cannot live their
desired life.
The choice and use of materials is a critical area of study and research. If the
material is weak, investigation on appropriate improvements on the material
should be done. Geotechnically, soil improvement could either be by
modification or stabilization, or both. Soil modification is the addition of a
modifier i.e. cement and lime to a soil to change its index properties, while soil
stabilization is the treatment of soils to enable their strength and durability to be
improved such that they become totally suitable for construction beyond their
original classification. Musa AL Hassan, Federal university of technology,
Nigeria April 2008.
A lot of laterite gravels which is good for gravel roads are plenty in our country.
There are instances where a laterite may contain a substantial amount of clay
minerals that its strength and stability cannot be guaranteed under load
especially in the presences of moisture. These types of laterites are common and
sourcing for alternative soil may prove economically unwise but rather to
improve the available soil to meet the desired objective. Over the times, cement
and lime are the two main materials used for stabilizing soils. These materials
have continually increased in price due to the sharp increase in the cost of
energy since 1970s.
The over dependent on the utilization of industrially manufactured soil
improving additives i.e. Cement and lime have kept the cost of construction of
stabilized road financially high. Thus the use of agricultural waste (such as
molasses) would considerably reduce the cost of construction as well as
reducing the environmental hazards they causes. It has been found that Portland
cement, by the nature of
its chemistry, produces large quantities of CO2 for every ton of its final product.
Therefore, replacing proportions of the Portland cement in soil stabilization
with a secondary cementitious material like molasses will reduce the overall
environmental impact of the stabilization process. Musa AL Hassan,April 2008.
To lower the cost of stabilization of soils and gravels calls for reduction of the
amount of cement used but then still retain the desired improved performance
for the stabilized materials. One of the ways to be explored is use of Molasses
as an additive to the cement stabilizer.
Molasses is dark, viscous syrup with a bittersweet flavor. It is the byproduct of
the refining of sugar cane into table sugar. Molasses can be reprocessed in low
temperature vacuum pans until the cost of working exceeds the value of the
sugar produced. The remaining molasses is discarded as waste. During the
1930s global economic recession, the Imperial Institute of Sugar Technology,
seeking uses for waste molasses, converted it into an insoluble resinous road
surface. The concentrated molasses, mixed with
sulfuric acid, asphalt, coal tar, and stone from chippings was painstakingly laid
over a metallic surface, cooled, and covered with sand. A trial length of road
successfully withstood the heavy traffic.
Sugarcane growing is a major economic activity in Kenya particularly parts of
Nyanza and Western Provinces. The government has also recently introduced
sugarcane growing in Tana River District which will see the country produce
more sugar and by extension more molasses. Currently molasses is used as a
nutritional supplement to livestock, used in production of ethanol and also one
that provides the robust
bittersweet flavor to baked beans and gingerbread. The production of molasses
is on the rise since the Mumias molasses plant has been reopened and its
operating capacity improved due to the huge capital being invested.
Recently, there has been a study undertaken to establish whether molasses can
be used in the manufacture of earthen building blocks. Conclusive results have
shown that molasses can be used to partly substitute cement in the making of
the building block without affecting the strength of the building blocks. Studies
are however still on going to test for the durability of the blocks once used for
construction of permanent structures and under different exposure conditions.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Lateritic soils are used as road making material and they form the sub-grade of
most tropical road, they are used as sub base and bases for low cost roads and
these carry low to medium traffic, however it still remains substandard as per
the road design manual requirements; they have a lower CBR and high
plasticity index and the road structure can undergo degradation that can be
worse especially during wet seasons. Therefore there is need to improve the soil
where in most cases it is improved with cement but the cost of cement is very
high hence need for a cheap stabilizer.
1.3 STUDY JUSTIFICATION

Over the years road construction has become very expensive due to insufficient
funds and poor construction material necessary for quality construction.
Lateritic gravel is readily and sufficiently available but has been found to be a
substandard material for road layers construction and it needs to be improved to
meet the required standard specifications. Cement is used to improve the gravel
but it is very expensive, hence the use of molasses which is locally available
and cheap can either be used as partial or fully replacement of cement.
Therefore using it for sub base improvement will reduce the cost of road
construction as well as reducing the environmental hazards it causes.

1.4 OBJECTIVES

1.4.1 Overall Objective

 To establish the engineering properties of lateritic gravel after

improvement with molasses and cement.

1.4.2 Specific Objective

 To determine the strength of lateritic gravel after improvement with

molasses and cement.
 To determine the moisture content of lateritic gravel after improving it
with molasses and cement.
 To determine the attergbergs limits of lateritic gravel after improvement
with molasses and cement.

1.5 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This study is expected to test for the strength, plasticity index, shrinkage limit
and the economic implications of using molasses in the process of stabilization
during road construction. However, due to the limited time available for this
research, the durability of the roads will not be dealt with since it takes a long
time to come up with conclusive reports on performance and the expected life
of the resulting road pavement.
CHAPTER 2
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION

Lateritic gravel is referred to by the term “natural material” which also includes
quartzitic gravel, calcareous gravel, soft stone, coral rag conglomerate sand or
clay sand or a combination of any of these materials. They are sourced from
spoils area, excavation in cuttings and borrow pits whose choice is made after
complying with the section 6 of specification standards in respect to borrow
pits. (Road design manual Part 3).
Laterite is a residue of rock decay that is reddish in colour and has a high
content of oxides of iron and hydroxides of aluminium and low proportion of
silica.
Lateritic soils are used as road making material and they form the sub-grade of
most tropical road, they are used as sub base and bases for low cost roads and
these carry low to medium traffic, however it still remains substandard as per
the road design manual requirements and this is depicted by their service period
is far short than expected, therefore need to improve the soils.The road design
manual 1990 part 3 gives the following specifications for sub base construction
material otherwise improvement is required;
 Maximum size 10 – 50 mm
 Passing 0.075mm sieve max. 40%
 Uniformity thickness min.5
 Plasticity index max.30
 Plasticity modulus max.250
 CBR at 95% MDD and 4 days soak min 30

The manual also gives the standard grading specifications as follows;

Sieve (mm) percentage by weight passing
50 100
37.5 90 - 100
28 75 - 95
20 60 - 90
10 35 - 75
5 25 - 63
2 15 - 45
1 8 - 35
0.425 4 - 23
0.075 0 – 12
Molasses has been found to be a pozzolana and it has the following oxide
composition;

Constituents Percentage (%)

Composition

Al2O3 0.07
SO3 1.6
Fe2O3 0.07
CaO 1.5
MgO 0.1

2.2 ROAD CONSTRUCTION

A road consists of various layers namely sub grade, sub base, road base and
wearing course. The sub grade is the foundation layer; the structure must
support all the loads above it, in most cases lateritic gravel is used for sub grade
construction. The subgrade is 300mm thick and is laid in two layers of 150mm
each which are then well compacted. The sub base course depends on the
quality of the subgrade and the road base, sub base materials are cheaper than
road base materials of high quality roads, and lateritic gravel is mainly used for
sub base construction. The sub base has a thickness of 250mm which is also laid
in two layers of 125mm each, each layer is well compacted and then stabilized
with cement ,for example in Nairobi – Thika highway improvement project 4%
cement is used to stabilize the sub base. The road base is a layer of very high
stability and density whose principle purpose is to distribute or spread the
stresses created by wheel loads acting on the wearing course so that the stresses
transmitted to the sub grade will not be too great to result into excessive
deformation of the foundation layer. This layer is mainly constructed with
gravel crushed stones for high quality roads or
lateritic gravel stabilized with cement or lime for low quality roads, for example
in kamagambomogonga road;sub base of 175mm and base of 125mm. Its
thickness is not normally less than 250mm. The wearing course i.e. dense
bituminous macadam 140mm thick is laid after which 40mm thick of asphalt
concrete is laid for high quality roads.
2.3 PROCESS OF SOIL IMPROVEMENT
Soil improvement is a treatment aimed at enhancing the engineering properties
of the soil and thus reducing its susceptibility to failure due to influence of
water and traffic load. The process is performed either in situ or applied to the
soil before or after it is placed in the roadway or embankment. Improvement
specifically refers to the treating of materials with lime or cement, so that the
engineering characteristics are improved to a higher bearing strength and low
plasticity without compromising on the flexibility of the road structure. The
significance of soil improvement on sub base includes;
 Improving the strength of the sub base
 Controlling shrink swell properties of expansive soils
 Reducing the required thickness of pavement overlays
 Reducing routine maintenance requirement because they can last longer.

The most common stabilising methods and techniques include;

2.3.1 Cement stabilization.

Ordinary Portland cement hydrates when water is added; the reaction produces
a cementitious gel that is independent of the soil. This gel is made up of calcium
silicate hydrates; calcium aluminate hydrates and hydrated lime. The first two
compounds form the main bulk of the cementitious gel, whereas the lime is
deposited as a separate crystalline solid phase. The cementation process results
in deposition between the soil particles of an insoluble binder capable of
embedding soil particles in a matrix of cementitious gel. The lime released
during hydration of the cement reacts further with the clay fraction forming
additional cementitious bonds. Soil-cement mixes should be compacted
immediately after mixing in order not to break down the newly created gel and
therefore reduce strengthening. The basic function of cementation is to make the
soil water-resistant by reducing swelling and increasing its compressive
strength.
Cement is considered a good stabilizer for granular soils but unsatisfactory for
clays. The range of cement content needed for good stabilization is between 2%
and 4% by weight
Though cement
stabilization is preferred, it proves unworkable for soils containing organic
matter and excess salt content. Sulphates can retard or prevent hydration of
cement in soil-cement mixture. Soils containing more than 2% organic material
are usually considered unacceptable (annon, 1990).

2.3.2 Lime stabilization

When lime is added to plastic material, it first flocculates the clay and
substantially reduces plasticity index. This reduction is time dependent during
the initial weeks, and has the effect of increasing the optimum moisture content
and decreasing the maximum dry density in compaction. The compaction
characteristics are therefore constantly changing with time and delays in
compaction causing reduction in density and consequently reduction in strength
and durability. The workability of the soil also improves as the soil becomes
more friable.
Both the ion exchange reaction and the production of cementatious materials
increase the stability and reduce the volume change within the clay fraction.
The swell may even be reduced from 7% or 8% tov 0.1% by the addition of
lime.
The production of cementitious material can continue for some time but the
materials and the environment will influence the strength developed. (ALAN
EVERETT, 1981).
The reaction between these types of lime can be represented by:

(1) CaCO3 + heat = CaO + CO2

This reaction is reversible and it does not occur much below 5000 C and is the
basis for the manufacture
of quick lime from chalk or limestone.

(2) CaO + H2O = Ca(OH)2 + heat

Hydrated lime is produced as a result of the reaction of quick lime with water.

(3) Ca(OH)2 + CO2 = CaCO3 + H2O

Hydrated lime will form calcium carbonate upon exposure to air where it reacts
with carbon dioxide
present in air.
2.3.3 Bitumen

Bitumen is solid or viscous liquid, which occurs in natural asphalt or can be

derived from petroleum. It has strong adhesive properties and consists
essentially of hydrocarbons. In natural condition it is too viscous to be used for
stabilization and has to be rendered more fluidic either as “cut-back” bitumen or
a “bitumen emulsion”. Cut back bitumen is a solution of bitumen in kerosene or
diesel; when solvent evaporates bitumen is deposited.
Emulsions are suspensions of bitumen particles in water; when the emulsion
breaks the bitumen is deposited on the material to be stabilized.
Unlike cement and lime, which reacts chemically with material being stabilized,
bitumen acts as a binding agent, which simply sticks particles together thus
preventing water ingress. Bituminous stabilization is uncommon in areas with
high rainfall due to the high level of moisture content in the soil and addition of
further fluids in form of bituminous materials may cause loss of strength.

2.3.4 Mechanical stabilization

This is a process where the grading is improved by the incorporation of another

material, which affects only the physical properties of the soil. Unlike
stabilization by the incorporation of stabilizing agents the proportion of material
added usually exceeds 10% and may be as high as 50%. Mechanical
stabilization has drawbacks particularly in those countries which have heavy
rainfall or where frost is a problem. Although a mechanically stable material is
highly desirable it cannot always be achieved and even when it can it is often
necessary to add a stabilizing agent to bring about a further improved in the
properties of a material.

2.3.5 Stabilization by compaction

This is the process whereby soil particles are constrained to pack more closely
together through a reduction in the amount of air contained in the soil mass. By
compacting under controlled conditions, air voids in well graded soils can
almost be eliminated. Compaction is measured quantitatively in terms of the dry
density of soil, which is the mass of solids per unit volume of soil in bulk. The
moisture content of the soil is the mass of water it contains expressed as a
percentage of the mass of the dry soil. The increase in the dry density of the soil
produced by compaction depends mainly on the moisture content of the soil and
the amount of compaction applied. .
(PHILIP SHERWOOD, 1993).
2.3.6 Pozzolannas

Pozzolanas are fine silica and alumina rich materials which when mixed with
hydrated lime produce cementitious materials suitable for stabilization and
construction needs. Pozzolanas are found in their natural state as volcanic ash or
Pumice in eastern and western Sudan. Pozzolanas can also be manufactured
from finely ground recycled fired clay bricks and mudstone which is available
in the Khartoum province. Such pozzolanas are used extensively in western
Sudan for building plasters and stabilizers with excellent results.
2.4 PREVIOUS STUDIES

An Australian family-owned business has developed an environmentally

friendly bitumen substitute made from molasses, one of the by-products of
refining cane sugar, GEO320. After 20 years of trying everything from palm oil,
coconut, peanut and calanola oil, the Owerhal family came up with the idea in
the late 1990’s. Claimed to be a world first, the product is supposedly more skid
and slip resistant than the traditional bitumen. Molasses was found to be the
most suitable material to substitute for bitumen because of its interesting
qualities. For instance, it is elastic and it is very tough and thus was suitable for
a bitumen composition. The prototype was put in Melbourne Boral and its
performance was compared with the normal bitumen road. It was found that
compared to the normal bitumen the Geo320 was found not to crack and rut.
The molasses was further treated to stop it from dissolving or going gooey once
it came into contact with water; to their surprise it actually became insoluble in
water. (Eerik Owerhall,2005).
Admixtures based on sugars, starches, zinc oxide or boric oxide retard the
setting of cement without significantly reducing their workability and strength.
Cases are known of seemingly inexplicable results of strength tests when sugar
bags are used for the shipment of aggregate samples to the laboratory or when
molasses bags have been used to transport freshly mixed concrete. It seems now
that a small quantity of sugar will act as an acceptable retarder delaying the
setting of concrete by about 4 hours. When sugar is used as a controlled set
retarder, the early strength of concrete is severely reduced but beyond 7 days
there is an increase in strength of several per cent compared with a non-retarded
mix. This is probably due to the fact that delayed setting produces a denser gel.
Retarders tend to increase the plastic shrinkage because the duration of the
plastic stage is extended but drying shrinkage is not affected.
A large quantity of sugar will virtually prevent the setting of cement. Such
quantities of sugar can therefore be used as an inexpensive “kill”, for instance
when a mixer or an agitator has broken down and cannot be discharged.
A. H. Heath carried a study on the effect of molasses on mortar in hot countries.
He added molasses to Portland cement mortar. The molasses was found to
retard the setting and drying of the cement mortar. Further the strength of the
mortar increased by 15-20% in 3 to 4 months.
CHAPTER 3

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The research data was collected in the following ways:

 Visits to construction site to collect lateritic gravel and to companies that
produces raw molasses.
 Laboratory tests to ascertain the engineering properties of lateritic gravel
under investigation.
 Laboratory tests on stabilized lateritic gravel with molasses and cement.

Then comparison of results attained of the stabilized lateritic gravel with road
design manual requirements for material being used as sub base material was
done.
After collecting lateritic gravel and molasses some tests were done to determine
their properties. The tests were done according to BS 1377-2, 1990. First
moisture content determination, particle size distribution, plasticity index, liquid
limit and linear shrinkage were done and then compaction and CBR test were
done.

3.2 LABORATORY TESTS

The following tests were carried out according to BS1377–2, 1990.

3.2.1 Moisture content determination

This test was done to establish the field moisture content of the lateritic gravel,
where at least 20g of lateritic gravel was used.
Equipment
 Moisture tin.
 Oven (1050C).
 Weighing balance.
Procedure
 moisture container was cleaned and weighed - w1
 sample mixed thoroughly and represented amount crumbled and loosely
put in the moisture tin
 moisture tin and its contents were weighed –w2
 the sample was Oven dried at 1050C and weighed again- w3.
Moisture content= {(w2-w3)/(w3-w1)}*100%

3.2.2 Particle size distribution

This was done to determine the percentage particle size distribution of a given
sample of lateritic gravel. Dry Sieving analysis was performed on the soil where
300g of lateritic gravel was used.

Sieving analysis

This procedure is suitable for coarse grained soils. This was aimed at
determining the particle size distribution or gradation of the gravel used .This
was done through wet sieving to 75μm sieve. The data obtained was presented
in form of graph plotted on grading chart.

Sieve analysis arrangement

Equipment:

 Standard sieves with pan: 50,37.5,28,20,10,5,2,1,0.425 and 0.075mm.

 Balance accurate to 0.5g.
 Weighing trays.
 Sieve brushes.
 Riffle boxes.

Procedure
 The Sample was riffled to obtain a suitable amount that is manageable.
 About 300g of the sample was soaked for 24hrs.
 The sample was thoroughly washed on 0.075mm and oven dried for
24hrs at 1050c.
 Sieves were arranged with descending sieve size from top to the bottom
with a receiver fixed below the smallest sieve.
 The sample was put on the top sieve and hand shaken.
 Sieve analysis was done and percentage retained and cumulative
percentage passing calculated for each sieve.

3.2.3 Attergbergs limits tests

The attergbergs limits determined includes plastic limit, liquid limit and
plasticity index.

3.2.3.1 Plastic limit

The test was done to determine the lowest moisture content at which the soil is
plastic.
A sample of about 300g of lateritic gravel was passed through the 0.425mm
sieve. The plastic limit of lateritic gravel was determined first and then different
percentages of the molasses and cement were added to the soil and the plastic
index determined for each percentage.

Equipment
 A flat glass-10mm thick and 500mm square.
 Two palette knives.
 Moisture tins.
Procedure

 A sample weighing about 100g was taken from the material passing
through 0.425mm sieve
 Sample was mixed thoroughly with distilled water on the glass plate until
it became homogenous and plastic enough to form into a ball shape
 Soil ball was moulded between fingers and rolled between palms of
hands until the heat of the hands dried the soil sufficiently for slight
change to appear on its surface
 The ball was divided into parts which were rolled to about 6mm diameter
and maintaining uniform rolling pressure, rolling was done till the rolls
were 3mm diameter
 Sample was then packed up and moulded again until the thread sheared
both longitudinally and transversely when rolled to about 3mm in
diameter
 Portions of crumbled soil thread were gathered in moisture tin of known
weight and weighed and oven dried to determine moisture content
 Other rolls were treated the same way and average moisture content was
calculated and adopted as the moisture content of the soil.

3.2.3.2 Liquid limit

Liquid limit is the moisture content of a sample at which a standard cone

penetrometer penetrates a depth of 20mm into the sample OR; Is the moisture
content at which two sides of groove cut in the soil sample contained in the cup
of casagrande apparatus would touch over a 13mm length after 25 blows.

Procedure

 A sample of about 400g of air-dried soil that passed a 425μm sieve was
put into a container and mixed thoroughly with distilled water using
palette knives until a thick and uniform paste resulted.
 A portion of the mixed soil was placed into the cup of the liquid limit
device and leveled off parallel to the base to a maximum depth of 10mm
using palette knife.
 The grooving tool was drawn through the sample along the symmetrical
axis of the cup, always holding the tool perpendicular to the cup at the
point of contact.
 The crank of the device was turned at a rate of two revolutions per second
and in so doing the cup is lifted and dropped through a distance of 10mm.
The number of blows (drops) necessary to close the gap in the soil
 specimen for a length of 13mm was recorded. Care was taken to ensure
that the groove closed by the flow of soil and not by slipping of soil
against the surface of the cup.
 Approximately 10g of the soil from near the closed groove was taken for
moisture determination.
 The operation was repeated while altering the amount of water in the soil
to obtain two set of moisture contents above 25 blows and two below 25
blow marks.
 The relationship between the moisture content and the number of blows
was plotted on a semilogarithmic chart with the percentage moisture
content as ordinates on the linear scale and the number of blows as
abscissa on the logarithmic scale and the best line of fit drawn through
the resulting points. The moisture content corresponding to 25 blow
ordinate was read off as the liquid limit of the soil.

Plastic index

Plastic index will be calculated using the following equation PI = LL – PL.

3.2.3.3 Linear shrinkage

Is a measure of how a soil sample will reduce in length upon drying expressed
as a percentage of the original length. Linear shrinkage test was carried out to
determine the linear shrinkage characteristics of the soil sample when
completely dry and also the linear shrinkage characteristics of the gravel when
various percentages of molasses+cement were added.

Equipment:

 A flat glass – 10mm thick and 500mm square.

 Two palette knives.
 Shrinkage mould.
 Oven capable of maintaining temperatures of 105 -1100C.
 Greasing or oil for lubricating the mould.

Procedure

 Shrinkage moulds were cleaned thoroughly and a thin layer of oil applied
to its inner wall in order to prevent the soil from adhering to the mould.
 Part of the material used during liquid limit determination was applied on
the shrinkage mould for linear shrinkage determination.
  Excess soil was struck off to give a smooth surface and soil adhering to
the rim of the mould was removed by wiping with dump cloth.
 Mould was placed in an oven first at 60 – 650C until shrinkage had largely
ceased and then at 105 -1100C to complete dryness and remove carefully from
the mould.
 Mould and soil were cooled and mean length of soil bar measured.
% linear shrinkage = (length of oven dried specimen / initial length of specimen)
*100

3.2.4 Compaction test

3.2.4.1 Proctor compaction test

This test was done to determine the maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture
content (OMC) of the material. It was done on the soil sample and then various
percentages of molasses+cement were added on the gravel and MDD and OMC
determined.

Equipment:

 Cylindrical metal mould- 150mm internal diameter, effective height 115.5mm and
volume 956cm3.
 Detachable base plate and removable collar of approximately 50mm height.
 Metal rammer with a 50mm circular diameter weighing 4.5kg with steep to allow a
drop distance of 300mm without friction.
 Weighing balance readable to an accuracy of 1g.
 Sieve 20mm with receiver.
 Straight edge.
 Moisture tins.
 Steel rods.
 Container for thorough mixing of soil.
 Palette knives or trowel.
 Brush.

Procedure

 Sample passing through 20mm sieve was weighed into four 4000g portions of the
passing material and put in different trays/basins.
 The mould was assembled on the base plate and weighed.
 The collar was then fitted on the mould and the whole internal oiled to ensure soil
doesn’t stick to the mould.
  Each of the four 4000g portions was mixed thoroughly with percentage amount of
water in increasing order at an interval of 100ml.
 Compactions for the portions were done with the 4.5kg hammer in five layers
each layer 25 blows.
 The collar was then removed carefully and excess soil on the mould trimmed with
straight edge.
 The externally attached particles were cleaned with a brush and the mould with
wet soil weighed.
 The compacted soil was removed from the mould using a steel rod.
 The specimen was broken down, the sample was then taken for moisture content
determination and the process repeated for all other portions.
 Dry densities were determined through calculations (considering mould factor -
0.99) and moisture contents obtained.

3.2.4.2 California Bearing Ratio (CBR)

CBR test was done to determine the strength of a given material and how it will behave
when subjected to loading. This was determined by measuring the relationship between
force and penetration when a cylindrical plunger of cross sectional area 1935mm2 is
made to penetrate the soil at given rate. At any penetration value the ratio of the force to
a standard force is defined as the California Bearing Ratio.

Dynamic CBR test

A sample passing through 20mm was used; moisture content of sample was determined
and then stored for 24hrs in a sealed place before compaction. This test was also be
done on the sample with various percentages of molasses+cement.

Equipment:

 BS sieve 20mm
 CBR mould (internal diameter of 152mm and internal effective height of 127mm)
with detachable base plate and top plate and a collar 50mm deep
 Cylindrical plunger of hardened steel and cross sectional area 1935mm2
approximately 250mm long
 Machine for applying force to plunger
 Three steel basins
 Means of measuring penetration of plunger into the specimen
 Three annular surcharge discs each having a mass of 2kg, internal diameter of
14.5mm to 150mm
 Metal rammer 4.5kg with a weight of fall being 450mm
  Steel straight edge (dimensions 300mm*25mm*3mm)
 Spatula (blade of approximately 100mm*20mm dimensions)
 Means of measuring movement of top of specimen during soaking
 Weighing balance accurate 5g
 Moisture tins
 Filter papers 150mm in diameter.

Moulding

 Moulding was done for three points i.e. 100%-62blows, 95%-25 blows,
and 90% -10blows.
 The mould was cleaned and weighed, then assembled on base plate and
the collar fitted on it.
 Required amount of water was mixed with the sample portion thoroughly
 5 layers were compacted, each layer was compacted with 62 blows such
that the fifth layer will end immediately at the brim of the mould
 The collar was removed carefully and excess material trimmed to flush
with the top of the mould using steel straight edge
 The mould with base plate after removing any external material stuck on
mould and base plate using a brush was weighed
 The moulding procedure was repeated for the 95% and 90% moulding
point.

Submersion/soaking

 Soaking was done to determine the materials rate of absorption of water

and degree of swell.
 The perforated mould with surcharge weights was soaked for 4 days and
then removed from water and after removing surcharge weights the
moulds was drained for 15mins before CBR penetrations.

CBR Penetration

 Each mould was placed on CBR machine with plate in position

 Surcharge masses were placed on the specimen and machine set such that
the plunger is set on the specimen.
 Readings gauges was set and adjusted to prevent zero errors
 When the machine was switched and for bearing ratio above 30% the
plunger was made to
 penetrate the specimen at a uniform rate of 1mm/min (at a plunger force
of 250N) the readings of force was be taken at intervals of penetration of
0.5m a to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5m
 Penetration on the mould was done for both top and bottom and readings
taken as before. This was done for the three point moulds
 A graph showing force on the plunger against penetration was plotted and
smooth curve was drawn through the points
 The force read from the smooth curve required to cause a given
penetration expressed as a
 percentage of force required to cause the same penetration on standard
curve is defined as the CBR value of the penetration
 The CBR value was calculated at penetrations of 2.5 and 5.0mm and the
higher value was taken. A graph was drawn for penetrations against dry
densities in mould
 After penetrations the mould was removed and wet soil from the 95% -
62 blow moulds oven dried and graded to determine the particle
distribution as influenced by compaction.
CHAPTER 4

4.1.0 RESULTS PRESENTATIONS, ANALYSIS AND

DISCUSSION
The gravel was tried for its suitability for use as improved material for sub-base.
Natural gravel is required to meet minimum CBR 30% if it is to be used in its
neat form for sub-base and minimum 60% if it is improved or stabilised.

4.1.1 Results, analysis and discussion

The results for the tests conducted are presented below and their
graphical presentation shown in the Appendix.

Table of results

Gravel Cement(%) Molasses(%) PI Linear MDD CBR(%)

status Shrinkage(%) (kg/m3)

Neat 0 0 21.30 10.70 168.4 31.5

Improved 2.0 0 6.55 2.32 1808.5 54.02

2.5 0 8.60 2.20 1853.9 62.88

0 2.0 8.20 4.60 1798.5 37.50

2.5 2.5 6.50 2.10 2042.9 87.97

2.0 2.0 6.85 2.30 1938.1 81.89

Discussion

4.1.2 Plasticity index (PI)

PLASTICITY INDEX=LIQUID LIMIT-PLASTIC LIMIT

A stabilizing agent leads to particle aggregation which leads to lowering of

liquid limit of the soil while raising the plastic limit.

The general trend observed was that with increase in the amount of cement, PI
reduced from a neat value of 21.30 to a value of 6.50 after an improvement with
2.5% cement & 2.5%molasses.2.0%. Molasses was found to lower the PI to
8.20, however, considering the margin of error in determination of PI from LL
and PL this decrease is not significant. Hence molasses has little effect in
reduction of PI. Addition of molasses to cement was found to have an effect of
lowering the PI, but the values still remained within the allowed limit of less
than 15% as stipulated in the Roads design manual part III. It thus implies that
for a fixed quantity of cement, addition of molasses increases the ability or
efficacy of cement to lower PI.
4.1.3 Linear shrinkage.

The aggregation of particles through the mechanism of stabilization results in a

reduction of the shrinkage experienced after the drying of the soil in the
shrinkage mould. The neat gravel and the gravel improved with 2.0% molasses
alone were found to shrink the most with shrinkage values of 21.0% and 4.6%
respectively. 2.5% Cement & 2.5%molasses was found to greatly reduce the
tendency of the gravel to shrink with the lowest shrinkage values (2.10%).2.0%
cement and 2.0% molasses improved samples followed with (2.30%). The
blends which had both cement and molasses were found to shrink less than
those with cement alone; however the shrinkage was within the allowed limits
0f less than (6%).
4.1.3 Compaction test results

The values for the maximum dry densities were noted to significantly increase
with the addition of both cement and molasses from a neat value of
1687.4Kgs/M3 to a maximum value of 2042.9Kg/M3 attained in the blend of
2.5% cement + 2.5% molasses. Thus the materials used to improve the gravels
were found to facilitate the closer packing of the gravel particles and thus an
increase in the maximum dry density. The OMC was found to increase from
10%-19.9% this may be attributed to the addition of molasses and cement which
decreased the quantity of free silt and clay fraction, forming coarser materials
with larger surface area hence the process required water to achieve desired
compaction.
4.1.4 California Bearing Ratio( CBR)

The CBR for neat gravel was 31.50%. Improvement with 2.5% cement alone
gave a CBR value of 62.88%, 2.0% cement gave a value of 54.02% while 2.0%
molasses alone gave a value of 37.50%. A blend of 2.5% cement + 2.5%
molasses gave a value of 87.97%, while, blend of 2.0% cement + 2.0%
molasses gave a value of 81.89%. Thus only the 2.5% cement alone,
2.5%cement + 2.0% molasses, 2.0% cement + 2.0%molasses achieved the
minimum required value of CBR for sub-base material which is stipulated as
60% in Road design manual part III for stabilized gravel and above 30.0% for
neat gravel. The trend deducted can be due to gradual formation of cementitious
compounds in the soil by the reaction among cement, molasses and soil
minerals like CaOH.
4.1.4 Liquid limits(LL)
The LL for neat gravel was 42.5. Improvement with 2.5% cement alone gave a
LL value of 47.5, 2.0% cement gave a value of 52.2 while, 2.0% molasses alone
gave a value of 44.1. A blend of 2.5% cement + 2.5% molasses gave a value of
34.7, while, blend of 2.0% cement + 2.0%molasses gave a value of 37.9. Thus
only the 2.5% cement alone, 2.5%cement + 2.0% molasses, 2.0% cement +
2.0%molasses reduced the value of LL for sub-base material due to replacement
of soil fines by reactive compounds in molasses and cement whose affinity to
water is high.
4.1.4 Plastic limits(PL)
The PL for neat gravel was 21.1. Improvement with 2.5% cement alone gave a
value of 39.4, 2.0% cement gave a value of 45.6 while, 2.0% molasses alone
gave a value of 31.2. A blend of 2.5% cement + 2.5% molasses gave a value of
28.2, while, blend of 2.0% cement + 2.0% molasses gave a value of 31.05.
Thus, it can be deduced that, the additives of molasses and cement rise the
plastic limit of laterite gravel because of high affinity to water.
4.2.0 Cost analysis

Given the following parameters;

 Thickness of road sub-base layer. = 0.2m
 Road width (including allowance for shoulders) = 9.5m
 Length per chainage = 20m
 Cost of 50Kg bag of cement =Ksh. 1000
 Cost of 20Ltrs molasses =Ksh. 200
To calculate the number of bags of cement and the number of 20Ltr molasses
containers required to improve gravel and hence the total cost per chainage, the
following formulas are applied;

NC=MDDxLxWxD x%S
W1

Where; Nc = No. of cement bags/chainage

MDD = maximum dry density of gravel after stabilization.
L= chainage length.
W = road width
D =thickness of sub-base layer.
%S = percentage of stabilizer used.
W1 = weight of cement bag.
NC=MDDxLxWxD x%S
W1

Where; Nm = No. of molasses containers/chainage

W2 = weight of 20Ltr container of molasses.
C=uxN
Where, C = total cost of stabilizer used per chainage (Ksh.)
u = unit cost of stabilizer (Ksh.)

Therefore for:
1. 2.5% cement-improved gravel,
Nc = (1853.9x20x9.5x0.2)/50 x2.5%
= 36 Bags of cement.
C = 36x1000
= Ksh.36,000
2. 2.5% cement + 2.5 % molasses-improved gravel,
N = (1853.9x 20x9.5 x0.2)/50 x2.5% + (1798.5x 20x 9.5 x0.2)/30 x2.0%
= 36 Bags of cement + 46 containers of molasses.
C = (36x1000) + (46x200)
= Ksh.45,200
3. 2.0% cement + 2.0 % molasses-improved gravel,
N = (1938.10x 20x 9.5 x0.2)/50 x2.0% + (1938.10x 20x 9.5 x0.2)/30 x2.0%
= 30 Bags of cement + 50 containers of molasses.
C = (30x1000) + (50x200)
= Ksh.40,000
4. 4.0% cement-improved gravel,
Nc = (2000x20x9.5x0.2)/50x4.0%
= 61 Bags of cement
C = (61x1000)
= Ksh.61,000
5. 2.0% cement-improved gravel,
Nc = (1808.5x20x9.5x0.2)/50x2.0%
= 28 Bags of cement
C = (28x1000)
=Ksh.28,000
6. 2.0% molasses-improved gravel,
Nm = (1798.5x20x9.5x0.2)/30x2.0%
= 46 Bags of cement
C = (46x200)
=Ksh.9,200

6OOO
O

5000
0

2OOO
O

1000
0

2% moLA5SES 2.0% CEMENT 2.5% CEMENT 2.0% CEMENT + 2.5% CEMENT + 4%

CEMENT

2.O°Zo 2.5%

MOLASSES MOLASSES
5.0 Chapter five

5.1 Conclusions and recommendations

5.1.1Conclusions

In the view of the above discussion, the following conclusions were arrived at:
 Molasses alone cannot be used effectively to improve the gravel for use
in road construction. However, molasses can be used as an additive to
cement in varying amounts and still attain the required standards.
 Mix ratio of 2.5% cement + 2.5% molasses,2% cement + 2%
molasses,4% cement gave the technically qualified results. The blend
gave a PI of 6.5% and 6.85
 (required maximum is 15%), a shrinkage limit of 2.1% and 2.3%,a CBR
value of 87.97 and 81.89 % (minimum required being 60%)respectively.
 Considering the cost aspect mix ratio of 2% cement + 2% molasses gave
the least cost. Thus it can be seen that with continuing addition of cement
with molasses the cost reduce by Kshs. 21,000 per chainage extracted
from base reference of 4% cement mostly applied.
 Different mix ratios need to be tried before the ratio that provides the best
alternative is selected to economize on cost while attaining the highest
possible standards.

5.1.2 Recommendations

 Further studies in the addition of molasses should be carried out inorder

to find out the effect that molasses has on different types of soils and
under different exposure conditions.
 Further studies should be carried out in order to identify the long term
effects that molasses has on the durability of the road pavement
structures.
 During curing molasses was found to facilitate the growth of mould on
the sample and thus further studies should be carried out to investigate the
effect that mould growth has on the improved gravel.
 Molasses of high bricks should be applied (above 80%) to reduce
solubility in water or apply solubility reduction agents like resins.
REFERENCES

1. Road design manual part 3 “standard specification for road and bridge
construction”

2. British standard institution( 1990) “ method of test for soils for civil
engineering purposes. Part 1. General requirements and sample preparation”
BS 1377: part 1, 1990.

3. British standard institution( 1990) “ method of test for soils for civil
engineering purposes Part 2. Classification tests” BS 1377: part 2, 1990.

4. British standard institution( 1990) “ method of test for soils for civil
engineering purposes Part 4 .compaction related tests” BS 1377: part 4, 1990.

5. Musa ALHASSAN and Alhaji Mohammed MUSTAPHA “Effect of Rice

Husk Ash on Cement Stabilized Laterite” viewed on 26 July 2010
http://lejpt.academicdirect.org.

6. Lambe T William “Soil testing for the engineers”, first edition.

7. “International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences”

Volume 1, Issue 3(December 2009).

8. “Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies “ ISSN 1583-

1078 Issue 11, July- December 2007 pg. 47- 58.