Stabilising Effect of Locally Produced

Lime on S e l e c t e d Lateritic S o i l s
Busby Attoh-Okine*

Abstract
The stabilising effect of locally produced lime on three lateritic soils from Kumasi in Ghana was investigated. The effect
of variation in lime on Atterberg limits, moisture - density relationship and strength characteristics was considered. Two levels
of curing time 7 and 2 8 days were used. it was concluded that there is a need to review the present consistency limits
requirements for lateritic soils. It was recommended that lime modified lateritic soil should be assessed on m a x i m u m dry
density(MDD).

Introduction
Laterite and lateritic soils are commonly found in Ghana.
They are usually traditional road building materials. Yet
untreated lateritic materials have presented many
problems in road construction and maintenance,
although the converse has also been reported that they
generally make good materials for subbase and base
construction for light and medium trafficked roads (de
Graft Johnson 1975).
Unfortunately however, a general survey of most low
volume roads in Ashanti region in Ghana show
deplorable states. A few examples will quickly reveal that
most of these roads fail from poor drainage, inadequate
base and subbase strength. Most of the base and
subbase are predominantly lateritic in nature, and the
fact that lime can be produced locally means that the
use of lime stabilisation to improve soils is feasible. The
main reasons why materials engineers should consider
stabilising soils can be summarised as follows:(a) To utilise locally available soil which is not
acceptable as a sub-base or base material in
its unstabilised state,
( b ) To rehabilitate an existing base.course, subbase by reducing or eliminating the plasticity.

Effect of lime
The use of lime stabilisation on lateritic soils had been
reported by unpublished results of analyses carried out
by the Building and Road Research Institute of Ghana.
Previous research shows that the improvements in the
engineering properties of a soil as lime is added are
attributed to two basic reactions:(a) immediate reduction in plasticity, changes in
workability and swell properties; presumably
the result of base.exchange and cloculation
which occurs when strong calcium actions on
the surface of the clay particles.
(b) The second phase is a time dependent gain
in strength through interparticle cementation.
"Dell. of Civil Engineering, Univanlity of Science and Technology, Kumui, Ghana

00

--&

~ so
"~'~ ~Z~.~

o
A
[]

Ahinsan site
Ahodwo site
Santasi site
Immediate samples
3 clays c u r i n g

....

40
i

l
2

I
4

I
6

I
8

Lime (%)

Fig 1

Variation o f liquid limit w i t h lime

ssU

35

30
o,'~
.~
.~_
~ 2s
~-

//'/
,-,,//-.
__

./I//

13
~ -

//////
F

---~

n s a n site
A h o d w o s,te
Santasi site
Untreated
sample
Cured
sample

20
i

I
2

Lime

Fig

I
4

I
6

(%)

Variation of plastic limit with lime

I
B

That is pozzolanic reactions between the lime

14
with available reactive aluminia in the soil.
The first and second stages are referred to as soil ~ 12
modification and soil cementation respectively. These -~
two processes are very important in soil stabilisation ~ ~0
since for wet plasic soils it is the modification that yields
proper soil conditions and for compaction and mixing
it is cementation which plays the major role.
_~ 8
Addition of lime to sub-base and base improves the
i
I
i
I
i
I
l
I
load spreading ability of otherwise unbound soil layer
2
4
6
8
by increasing the modulus. When high lime contents
Lime (~)
are used, slab action will develop and therefore greater
load spreadability of the payment layer will result, Fig 4 Variation of linear shrinkage with lime
provided intensive internal cracking can be avoided. The
lime increase the shear strength of soils. This is
important because many unbound base courses lose
Table I Soil properties
shape by shallow shear in the wheel path. (Dunlop 1980).
General properties
Ahodwo
Ahinsan
Santasi
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect
soil
soil
soil
of lime on physical and some chemical composition of
selected lateritic soils that have been stabilised with
Textural composition:
locally produced lime.
41.1
39.0
43.0
Gravel (2-10ram)
k

Environmental =etUng
Ashanti Region is located in moist semi-deciduous rain
forest with annual rainfall about 1500ram. The climate
consists of an alteration of wet and dry season. The land
form is basically advanced dissection and tertiary erosion
surface. The main rock types are granite, phyllites and
schists.
Laboratory inve~dgations
MateriaLs tested
Three lateritic soils typical in Ashanti Region were used
in the experimental study:
(i) Ahodwo site - Reddish sandy
(ii) Ahinsan site - Yellow brown sandy gravel
(iii) Santasi site - Reddish brown sandy gravel
Laboratory quality identification tests were performed
on each of the untreated and treated soils. The three
soils were very similar in some of their physical properties. The plasticity indices were nearly identical for
Ahodwo and Ahinsan samples; however, both liquid
limit and plastic limit for Ahinsan samples were
40

''

I
J
/

O Ahinsan site
/k Ahodwo site
13 Santasi site

.,
....

Untreated sample
Cured sample

J~
x 3

20

R"

"Z~-. . . . . . .

I
2

Z~. . . . . . .

I
4

___~____~

Lime [~]

F~3

Variation of plasticity index witih lime

CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS Vol. 4 No. 2 JUNE 1990

Sand (0.06-2rnm)%
Silt (0.002-0.06mm)%

Clay (0.002mm)%

24.0
11.0
22.0

22.0
11.0
26.0

34.0
10.0
17.0

red

rown
llowish

reddish
brown

2.65
48
19
29
10.63
1.27

2.70
52
24
28
10.63
1,05

2.68
51
21
30
11,42
1.79

6.1

6.0

5.5

Physical property:

Colour
Specific gravity
Liquid limit (%)
Plastic limit (%)
Plasticity index (%)
Linear shrinkage (%)
Activity
Chemical property:
pH value

Classification:
Casagrade
Textural
ASASHTO

CH-ML

CH-MH

CH-MH

sandy gravel

sandy gravel

sandy gravel

A-2-7

A-7-6

A-2-7

somewhat higher than Ahodwo and Santasi samples.

The sieve analysis showed that Ahinsan sample have
a relatively higher proportion of clay. Ahodwo sample
had a greater proportion of gravel. The amount of silt
in all the three samples were virtually the same.
The pH value for Ahodwo and Santasi samples were
virtually the same. Santasi site has lower pH value.

Consistency limit and linear shrinkage

Consistency limit and linear shrinkage were determined
both immediately after addition of the lime and after
72 hours of curing. The consistency limit and linear
shrinkage were determined according to British
Standards (BS 1377: 1975). The minus 76 BS sieve
portion of each sample were taken oven dried and the
required amount of lime (percentage of the dry weight
of the soil) was added. "Pastes of treated soils were
prepared around the liquid limit, kept in airtight bags
and cured at about 100% humidity.
87

Texture

(203ram) high and 4 inches (102mm) diameter.

Samples were compacted at the corresponding
optimum moisture content. Two sets of each sample
were cured for 7 days and 28 days.

Figure 5 shows the grain size distribution curves

obtained from the tested samples. The particle size
distribution analysis were determined adapting method
recommended by Gidigasu - 1976.

California Bearing Ratio Test (CBR)

D. pH analysis

CBR values were determined for both untreated and

treated soils. The samples were compacted at optimum
moisture contents and soaked for 96 .days.
The minus 19mm sieve was used. The soil was
compacted in 5 layers. The falling height of the rammer
was 46mm and weighed 4.5 kilograms.

The pH of the samples were determined using oven

dried samples. Distilled water was added to the samples
and the pH of the supernatant was determined after 24
hours.

X-ray diffraction analysis

Discussion of ~,sult~

It has not been possible to carry out x-ray diffraction

analysis, however, unpublished results of analysis carded
out on Ghana, by the Geological Survey shows that the
most common clay mineral in most of the local residual
soils is Kaolinite.

Consistency
The effect of lime.treatment (immediate) on the
Atterberg limits of all the three soils was typical, ie an
increased liquid limit and plastic limit with a decrease
in plasticity. In the case of the cured samples addition
of lime on the liquid limit is inconsistent.
There was immediate rise in plastic limit developed
in the low range of lime additions for all the three soils.
The rise occured around 2 per cent lime.
There was notably reduction in linear shrinkage of
Ahodwo and Santasi samples. Inconsistency occurred
between 2 per cent and 4 per cent lime addition in
Ahinsan samples.

Moisture.density relationships
The modified AASHO compaction test were performed
on bulk samples of the soils. The maximum dry density
(MDD) and the optimum moisture content (OMC) was
determined for each sample with percentage of lime
(was mixed with air dried samples and predetermined
amount of water was added). Mixtures were kept
covered overnight before compaction started.

Unconfined compression

Moisture - Density relationships

This was determined for cylindrical specimen 8 inches

Aside from difference in maximum dry densities (MDD)

~m

mm

,Yk

% f

BS t e s t sieves
63 75

300
150 212
425 600

5
1.18

3.35

63
6.3

10 14 20 28 37 55

75

100
I0

90
80
70
C~
r-

Legend

Ahinsan

Ahodwo

Santasi

13

20
30
40

* GHA limit
f o r base

60
O_

&

Site

50

50
40

60

30

70

20

80

10

90

Ci.

I
I

0
O.OOl

I III

0.01

II1
I

I
0,1

111111
1

I
I

I I IIII

I
10

i i iiiii
I
100

Particle size (mm)

0.002

Medium
I Clay
*GHA-GHANA

Fig5

Silt
HIGHWAY AUTHORITY

Particle size distribution

60

2O

0.06

Sand

Coarse

Fine

Medium
Gravel

Coarse

I00

2
LQ

20

A h i n s a n sample
160' I
140

E
z

.....

19

Unsoaked
Soaked

120

>~

100
"O

>.
L

.o

18

80

"O

O A h i n s a n site
A A h o d w o site
13 Santasi site

E
E

t
i

"o.

17

,e

11o

Lime (%)

F~g6

Variation of maximum dry density with lime

'i
20

Lime

24

Fig9

O A h i n s a n site
A A h o d w o site
13 Santasi site

22

~
o

I
B

6
(~o)

Variation of CBR with lime

Table #

Chemical analysis of lime

20

Oxide
"~

E
E

4-J
r~

CaO
MgO

16

A=203

l
8

Lime (,~o~

~7

Variation of optimum moisture content with

lime

100
Ahodwo
_

Soaked

60

Unconfined compression strength

40
J

20
=

Fe203
SO2
Ignition loss
Insoluble residue in hydrochloric acid
Free moisture
Insoluble material in Na2CO3
Available lime

61,6
2,41
195
0,61
11,62
20,16
15,45
0,42
0,42
35,05

An increase in optimum moisture content was

developed mostly in the low range of lime addition,
amounting to a maximum value, which again decreases
gradually with addition of lime.

sample

Unsoaked

.....

80

Per cent by weight

18

Lime (%)

F~g8 Variation of CBR with lime

there were distinct identical pattern of M D D relation to

the amount of lime used for stabilisation. Minimum
M D D for all the three soils occurred when 4 per cent
lime was added.

CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS Vol. 4 No. 2 JUNE 1990

The unconfined pressure strength indicated significant

differences in the stabilising effects of the soil. The
principal differences observed in the age of curing. The
rate of strength increases with addition of lime for
28-day cured samples. However,the 7.day cured sample
strength is inconsistent.
California Bearing Ratio test
Changes in CBR values with lime content are shown in
Fig 8, Fig 9 and Fig 10. A significant decrease was
observed both for soaked and unsoaked samples. This
occurred at lower lime contents. There was then steady
increase after addition of 4 per cent lime. There were
distinct identical patterns of California Bearing Ratio in
all the three soils in relation to the amount of lime
added.

89

1600

160

A h i n s a n sample

Santasi sample

E
z

1400

140

12"01

- - -

Unsoaked

.....

Soaked

~1200

i
/
/
/
I /

O"

m 1000
100

7-day

strength

28-day s t r e n g t h

800

80

~;

~
.....

>

E
o
u

~~c~

L~

6O0

400

200

20

Lime ('%)
I
6

0
0

I
8

Fig 12 Variation of U C S with lime

Lime (~)
160l

Fig

Santasi sample

Variation of CBR with lime

- -/

E 140~

/
/

.,~

Ahodwo sample

--.o

1200

~/

2000
u~

i ooo

.....

1800
I
/

"~

800

600

~=

4oo

7-day strength
28-day strength

/
/P

1600
/
/

1400
J

~
......

7-day

strength

28-day s t r e n g t h

c
o
u
c

1200
E

200

[]

~ooo
0

800

I
8

Lime (%)
i

600
0

I
8

Fig 13 Variation of UCS with lime

Lime (%)

Fig// Variation of UCS with lime

Conclusions and recommendutions

Judging from standard specification, relatively high
values of consistency limits disqualifies the soils to be
suitable for subbase even after stabilisation. Materials
from the sources had been successfully used as subbase
and base materials. It is conluded that the present
consistenoj limits requirements are more restrictive than
necessary. BS (1975) suggested that for lime modified
soil plasticity index after modification should not exceed
10 per cent. But the importance of plasticity index
becomes diminished considerably, due to the fact that
in lateritic soil relatively high plasticity index may not
correspond to high swelling.

90

The amount of lime is not the only factor affecting

the strength of treated soils.
A lime-modified lateritic soil should be assessed on
maximum dry density if treated uncured sample.
Minimum value of ]8 kN/m 3 soil and that of base
above 20 kN/m 3.
It is worth mentioning that a further study is being
carried out by the author in order to provide pavement
design chart for flexible pavements with treated basel
subbase. (Base on maximum dry density and cumulative number of standard axles.)
References
]
Dunlop, R J.
Reviews of roads with lime/cement pavement layers.

AustraUan Road Research Vol. I0, No. 3 1980. pp 12.25.

2

EI-Ruwl,

N Pq, A w e d ,

A A A.

Permeability of lime stabilised soils.

CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS VOI. 4 No. 2 JUNE 1990

Journal of transportation engineering ASCE vol. 107 No. TEL

Jan 1981 pp 25.35.
Abdelkader, M O, Hamaani, S K.

Australian Road Research, Vol. 1, No. 3 1985 pp 178~185.

Bawa, N S, Gidtgasu, M D.

Lime stabilisation for low cost roads in Egypt.

Stabilisation of selected African iatedtic gravels and soils

Laterites and latedt ic soil and other pmbtem sou of Africa. 19 71

pp 87-111.
O i a , $ A.
The case for soil stabilisation in Nigeria.

Llse of stabiJised soil as building material.

Nigerian Journal of Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1974.

Holm, G.

Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana, 1965.

The line column method.

Lyon Associates, lnc

Swedish Council for Building Research Stockholm, Sweden.

.Materials
Structures
.Components
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CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS Vol. 4 No. 2 JUNE 1990

91