Comparative Analysis of the Compaction of Natural Offshore Sand and Cement Stabilized Offshore Sand for Road Construction

Abstract

This research concerned itself with the comparative analysis of compaction of natural offshore sand and cement stabilized offshore sand for road construction in swampy regions. Sieve analysis and compaction (moisture-density relationship) tests were conducted on the offshore sand sample to compare the compaction efforts of the two materials for road subbase filling. Based on the results of the tests carried out, the offshore sand sample was found to belong to the A-2 group and falls within Grading Zone 2. The results of dry density against cement content as well as optimum moisture content against cement content shows that compaction of the offshore sand is poor with values of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content obtained as 1.755g/cm3 and 11.67% respectively. After 4% Cement Content stabilization, the values increased to 1.935g/cm3 and 12.21% respectively. At 6% Cement Content stabilization, the value of Maximum Dry Density increased to 1.948g/cm3 while the Optimum Moisture Content dropped to 8.77%. At 8% cement content stabilization, the values obtained were 1.967g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 10.40% for optimum moisture content. At 10% cement content, the results were 1.982g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 12.25% for optimum moisture content. Upon increasing cement content to 12%, the values obtained became 2.027g/cm3 for maximum dry density and 9.76% for optimum moisture content. It follows therefore that increasing cement contents yielded increase in compaction of the offshore sand sample. This investigation concludes that cement can be used to stabilize offshore sand to improve its engineering property of compaction for use as subbase material for construction of road in swampy regions.