STABILIZATION OF FINE SOILS USING COCONUT HUSK ASH AND SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH

Abstract

In civil engineering projects, interventions are frequently used to optimize soil characteristics and adapt it to construction requirements. Traditional methods using cement and lime, although effective, have a high environmental impact due to carbon dioxide emissions. This study evaluates the use of coconut husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash as alternative stabilizers for fine soils, aiming to reduce the environmental impact while improving properties such as bearing capacity and plasticity. Laboratory tests were conducted with soil samples stabilized with 5% coconut husk ash + 5% sugarcane bagasse ash and 10% coconut husk ash + 10% sugarcane bagasse ash, compared to natural soil. The results indicated that these materials reduced fines content and plasticity while improving mechanical strength, particularly with the 10% mixture of each ash. It was concluded that coconut husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash significantly improved soil performance, making them a viable alternative for stabilizing fine soils.