USE OF TERMITE MOUND SOIL AS ADDITIVE TO IMPROVE THE GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF LATERITIC SOIL IN VUNOKLANG, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the properties of termite mound soil; as an additive for stabilization of soil strength in construction industry. Three termite mound soils were sampled through a vertical section from top at intervals of 0-0.6 m, 0.6-1.2 m and 1.2-1.8 m; and mixed with the two soil types separately; termite mound + clayey soil and termite mound + lateritic soil. Twenty different compaction tests were conducted on the soil samples mixtures at 5% intervals ranging from 0%-100%. Compressive strengths were determined from the optimum moisture content values obtained from compaction test using triaxial machine model HM -5020. The tests were carried out according to the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The results of geotechnical analyses showed that the termite mound soils were sandy clay loam whereas the lateritic soils were sandy loam. The termite mound soil samples recorded higher maximum dry densities and compressive strengths compared to the lateritic and clay soil samples. Increasing the ratio of termite mound soil in the mixture indicated increase in maximum dry density but little effect on the optimum moisture content for both the lateritic and clay soil samples. In term of compressive strength and maximum dry density, using termite mound soil as an additive proved more effective in lateritic soils than in clay soil. At the same termite mound soil ratio, the compressive strength of the lateritic soil was almost twice that of the clay soil. Hence, termite mound soil can be recommended as an additive for improving the quality of lateritic soil.