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M. O. Ganiyu

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Open access Jul 2026

MECHANICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF EXPANSIVE SOILS STABILIZED WITH FLY ASH–DESULPHOGYPSUM BLENDS

Expansive soils pose significant challenges to civil engineering infrastructure due to their high plasticity, excessive swelling, and shrinkage behavior under fluctuating moisture conditions. These characteristics often lead to structural distress, including pavement cracking, foundation settlement, and loss of bearing capacity, particularly in regions such as the Niger Delta where seasonal moisture variation is pronounced . This study investigated the effectiveness of industrial waste materials, specifically fly ash and desulphogypsum, as sustainable stabilizing agents for improving the geotechnical properties of expansive soils. Laboratory experiments were conducted on untreated and treated soil samples with varying proportions of fly ash (5–15%) and desulphogypsum (5–15%), including their combined application. The natural soil was classified as highly plastic clay (CH) with a liquid limit of 92% and plasticity index of 71%, indicating high swelling potential. The addition of stabilizers significantly modified the soil behavior. The plasticity index decreased progressively with increasing stabilizer content, reaching a minimum value of 24% for the combined mix of 10% fly ash and 15% desulphogypsum. Compaction characteristics improved, with maximum dry density increasing from 1.485 g/cm³ to 1.556 g/cm³, while optimum moisture content reduced from 24.8% to 19.6%. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) results demonstrated substantial improvement in strength due to stabilization. The untreated soil exhibited a UCS value of 89.2 kPa, which increased to 456.3 kPa after 28 days of curing for the combined stabilizer mix, representing a 411% increase. Regression models developed for predicting UCS and plasticity index reduction yielded strong correlations with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.887 and 0.862, respectively, and mean absolute error below 8%. Sensitivity analysis revealed that incremental increases in fly ash and desulphogypsum content contributed positively to strength development, with fly ash having a slightly higher influence. Optimization analysis identified an optimal stabilizer combination of 16.1% fly ash and 10.9% desulphogypsum, corresponding to a predicted UCS of 468.3 kPa and a minimum plasticity index of 22.1%. Economic evaluation showed that the combined stabilization method cost approximately ₦3,600/m³ compared to ₦11,700/m³ for conventional lime stabilization, resulting in a cost reduction of about 69%. The results demonstrated that the combined use of fly ash and desulphogypsum significantly improved the engineering performance of expansive soils by reducing plasticity, enhancing strength, and improving compaction characteristics. The study established that these industrial by-products offer a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for ground improvement in the Niger Delta, with strong potential for application in road construction and foundation engineering.

M. O. Ganiyu, I. Udeh, M. Samuel · International Journal of Res... · 0 citations

Open access Jul 2026

Comparative Evaluation of Compressive Strength of Concrete Produced with Granite and Gravel as Coarse Aggregates

This study evaluated the influence of coarse aggregate type on the compressive strength of concrete, with particular emphasis on granite and locally sourced gravel. Concrete performance is largely governed by the properties of its constituent materials, among which coarse aggregates play a dominant role because of their contribution to strength, durability, and structural integrity. The investigation aimed to determine the suitability and performance differences between granite and gravel when used in conventional concrete production. A controlled laboratory experiment was conducted using two standard mix ratios of 1:2:4 and 1:3:6, prepared using the absolute weight-batching method. Preliminary material characterisation tests were carried out, including sieve analysis for aggregate grading, cement consistency and setting-time tests, and slump tests to evaluate workability. A total of forty (40) concrete cubes measuring 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were cast, comprising both test and control specimens. The specimens were cured under standard water-curing conditions and tested for compressive strength at curing ages of 7, 14, and 28 days. The results showed a progressive increase in compressive strength with curing age for all concrete mixes. Concrete produced with granite consistently exhibited higher compressive strength than concrete produced with gravel across all curing periods and mix ratios. At 28 days, the maximum compressive strength recorded for granite concrete at a mix ratio of 1:2:4 was 27.3 MPa, while gravel concrete achieved 24.2 MPa under the same conditions. Similarly, for the 1:3:6 mix, granite achieved 23.9 MPa, compared with 20.0 MPa for gravel. The findings indicated that aggregate type significantly influences concrete strength, with granite providing better interlocking properties and reduced void content due to its angular shape and surface texture. However, gravel demonstrated acceptable strength performance and may be considered a viable alternative in situations where granite is unavailable or cost-prohibitive. The study concluded that, while both aggregates are suitable for concrete production, granite remains the preferred choice for structural applications requiring higher strength. The results provide practical insights for engineers and construction professionals in material selection and mix-design optimisation, contributing to improved construction efficiency and cost management.

M. O. Ganiyu, Udeh Israel Eyu · Journal of Engineering Resea... · 0 citations