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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF CURRENT RESEARCH
International Journal of Current Research
Vol. 9, Issue, 02, pp.46401-46406, February, 2017

ISSN: 0975-833X
RESEARCH ARTICLE

EFFECT OF COFFEE HUSK ASH ON GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANSIVE SOIL

*Atahu, M. K., Saathoff, F. and Gebissa, A.
Chair of Geotechnics and Coastal Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,
University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Road constructed on an expansive soil needs special attention during the design and construction
Article History:
th stages. This study investigates the possibility of using coffee husk ash as an expansive soil stabilizer.
Received 15 November, 2016
Received in revised form Coffee husk is a by-product
by of coffee beans: when coffee
fee husk is burnt the resulting ash is coffee husk
09th December, 2016 ash (CHA). To investigate the effect of adding CHA to an expansive soil, laboratory experiments
Accepted 18th January, 2017 such as Proctor density, swelling index, consistency limits and unconfined compressive strength
Published online 28th February, 2017 (UCS) tests were
were performed for different percentages of CHA. Standard Procter tests were conducted
to evaluate the compaction behavior and unconfined compressive tests were performed on samples of
Key words: 5 cm diameter and 10 cm height, after curing for 1, 7 and 14 days. The llaboratory test results show
Road Construction, that the addition of CHA increases compressive strength and decreases swelling ratio and shrinkage.
Expansive Soil, From Atterberg limit and Proctor tests a decrease in the plasticity index and optimum moisture
Coffee Husk Ash, content while an increase in dry density as the CHA percentage increases were observed. The study
Stabilization. reveals that the addition of CHA improves the geotechnical properties of expansive soil.

Copyright©2017, Atahu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
ribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

soil”, International Journal

Citation: Atahu, M. K., Saathoff, F. and. Gebissa, A. 2017. “Effect of coffee husk ash on geotechnical properties of expansive soil
of Current Research, 09, (02), 46401-46406.

INTRODUCTION Most of the roads constructed in Ethiopia on the shrink

shrink–swell
soils are susceptible to damage before expected design
lifetime. Early cracking
cking of road surfaces constructed on
Soils that have characteristics of swelling during wet and expansive soils is a common failure in the country. This
shrinking during dry seasons are classified as an expansive happens a few years or sometimes even months after being
soil. The shrink–swell
swell properties of these soils detrimentally opened for public use. The high plasticity, compressibility, and
influence the construction project design, performance and swelling and shrinking nature of the so soil is usually improved
lifetime, especially of lightweight civil engineering by removing the problematic soil and replacing it with selected
infrastructures [Gourley et al., 1993]. ]. Major engineering material or stabilizing it with lime and cement. Stabilization, in
problems are volume changes due to cyclic swelling and a broad sense, incorporates methods employed for modifying
shrinking behavior of the soils during the wetting and drying the properties of the soil to improve its eengineering
seasons respectively. The cyclic swelling and shrinkage of the performances. Stabilization is used for a variety of engineering
soils can lead to differential heave, settlement and creep, works; the most common application is in the construction of
decrease
ease in bearing capacity and shearing strength, and high roads and air-field
field pavements [[Kiran, 2013]. Factors that
erosion susceptibility and instability when exposed in natural should be considered in choosing stabilization materials are
Gourley et al., 1993].
slopes, road cuts, or open excavations [Gourley abundance, cost, and effectiveness. Ethiopia produces a large
Expansive soil (mainly black cotton soil) is one of the major volume of coffee beans every year, around 450,000 tons during
soil deposits
ts in Ethiopia, covering about 40% of the area 2013/2014 alone [http://ethioagp.org/ethiopian
http://ethioagp.org/ethiopian-coffee-exports-
[Fekerte et al., 2009].
]. Black cotton soil (BC soil) is a highly to-hit-record-in-2015]. ]. Coffee husk is a by
by-product of coffee.
clayey soil. The black color in BC soil is due to the presence of The main in objective of this study is to investigate the potential
titanium oxide in small concentrations and it has a high application of coffee husk ash as stabilization material
percentage of clay, which
ich is predominantly montmorillonite in specifically for road construction.
structure and black or blackish grey in color [Kavish
[ et al.,
2014]. LITERATURE REVIEW

*Corresponding author: Atahu, M. K., Over the years research communities have studied the
Chair of Geotechnics and Coastal Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture characteristics of different kinds of expansive soils and
and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, examined the possibility of improving the properties of such
Germany. soils.
46402 Atahu et al. Effect of coffee husk ash on geotechnical properties of expansive soil

Bell (1999) investigated damage due to the shrink–swell A series of tests were carried out to study the effect of CHA on
characteristics of soils on civil engineering infrastructures and soil properties.
estimated that it costs billions of dollars. Due to a large extent
of damage and an increase in a construction project cost,
MATERIALS AND METHODS
engineers and researchers carried out many investigations to
figure out the possibility of using an increasing amount of
Study Area and Sampling
solid waste to improve the soil’s properties [Ehammed, 2004].
Nyankson et al. (2013) explored the effect of lime contained in
The site selection and sampling were carried out in west Shoa
eggshell and its application in the stabilization of shrink–swell
zone of Oromia state, around Ambo town, Ethiopia (8
soils and the sample mixed with 8% eggshell powder showed a
58’10.3’’N 37 56’26’’E ALT=2102m) as indicated in Figure 1.
decrease in the plasticity index (PI) and free swell index (FSI)
The mean annual temperature and rainfall of Ambo area is
and a high silt/clay fraction. Mousa et al. (1998) reported the
about 18.64ºC and 968.7 mm, respectively [Ogato, 2013].
possibility of using olive waste, finding that the addition of
Ambo and its surroundings are mainly covered by
2.5% by weight of burned olive waste increases the unconfined
pellicvertisols (known for their extensive cracking to a depth
compressive strength and the maximum dry density, while the
of 50 cm or more with seasonal drying) with poor drainage
addition of 7.5% olive ash by weight minimizes the swelling
[Balemi, 2012]. Representative soil samples were collected
pressure of the soil. Haji Ali et al. (1992) found that the
from different sites in Ambo in such a way that the sites should
addition of rice husk ash (RHA) enhances not only the strength
represent a wide spectrum of factors and were collected
development but also the durability of lime-stabilized residual
according to standard soil sampling procedures.
soil. Stabilized soil with the optimum RHA content suffers the
least detrimental effects of saturation.

Therefore, it can be inferred that the use of RHA in the

chemical treatment of residual soil for construction of roads,
airfields, etc. would require reduced annual maintenance costs
[Haji et al., 1992]. Soil stabilized with the addition of waste
(bagasse ash) gave somewhat improved strength values but the
blend with cement and lime gave more increased strength
values [Kiran, 2013]. Satyanarayana et al. (2013) identified
that the addition of fly ash to expansive soil increases the
strength and decreases the swelling characteristics. Abd El-
Halim et al. (2014) concluded that sawdust has the potential to
improve the hydro-physical properties of expansive soils,
especially when added to soil in between one to two percent on Fig.1. Location map of sampling area
dry weight basis. Above this percentage the improvement was
much less significant and warranted by the clay content Black Cotton Soil and its Geotechnical Properties
decrease. In addition, fine sawdust can be used to minimize the
development of desiccation cracks and the shrinking behavior Black cotton (BC) soil is classified as an expansive soil due to
of expansive soils. Moreover, the sawdust waste material can its high swelling and shrinkage capacity as a result of changes
potentially reduce stabilization costs by utilizing waste in a in moisture condition. Due to its intensive shrink–swell
cost-effective manner [Abd El Halim, 2014]. characteristics, it forms a very poor foundation material for
road construction, usually resulting in surface cracks and
Properties of coffee by-products are less known and less fractures causing an opening during dry seasons as shown in
research has been conducted on how to use these waste Figure 2. BC soil has very low strength; soaked laboratory
materials in an effective manner. Coffee husk contains some California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values of BC soils are
amount of caffeine and tannins, which makes it toxic in nature, generally found in the range of 2 to 4%. Due to very low CBR
resulting in disposal problems. However, it is rich in organic values of BC soil, excessive pavement thickness is required for
matter, which makes it an ideal substrate for microbial the design of flexible pavement [Kavish, 2014].
processes for the production of value-added products, such as
fertilizers, livestock feed, compost, etc. However, these
applications utilize only a fraction of available quantity and are
not technically very efficient [Ashok Pandey, 2000].
Combustion of this type of waste material is a common
practice in farms; the coffee husk ash reject is becoming a
worrying factor for environmentalists. Coffee husk ash reject
(CR) is constituted mainly of calcium and potassium, making
it possible and interesting to investigate the possibility of using
this material as a raw material in the ceramic formulation. It
has been found to have a positive effect [Acchar, 2013]. No
study has been reported on the usage of CHA for soil
stabilization. Its use will however potentially improve the soil
properties and reduce the environmental impact caused by this
waste material. The aim of the present study is to analyze the
effect of coffee husk ash on the plasticity, swelling,
compaction, and strength behavior of expansive soil. Fig. 2. Cracks on Ambo–Addis Ababa road
46403 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 9, Issue, 02, pp.46401-46406, February, 2017

To characterize the sample, different laboratory tests such as and it is environmentally unfriendly. The main focus of this
particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, swelling index, study is the utilization of waste (coffee husk) for road
specific gravity, permeability, organic content, compaction, construction to improve the properties of expansive soil and to
and unconfined compressive strength tests were performed increase economic and environmental benefits. The coffee
according to the guidelines of the American Society of Testing husk is collected from factories and farms and kept in a
and Materials (ASTM) and the geotechnical properties of the furnace at 550°C. The resulting ash is CHA, as shown in
tested soil are given in Table 1. Grain size distribution and Figure 4.
grain shape influence the geotechnical properties of the soil.
As shown in Figure 3 the grain size analysis of the soil sample
shows that the fine content (silt and clay) is 85.2% on average.
According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) if
more than half of the material is smaller than no. 200 sieve (75
µm sieve size) the soil is classified as fine-grained soil.

Fig.4. Coffee husk ash

Table 2. Properties of CHA
Test Result
Grain size analysis Gravel% 0
Sand% 57.1
Fine% 42.9
Specific gravity(gcm-³) 2.03
Fig.3. Grain size distribution of BC soil Free swell ratio Non swelling

Further classification was done after Atterberg limit test, using Some properties of CHA are presented in Table 2 and the grain
a plasticity chart and the results show that the soil is classified size analysis result is presented in Figure 5. The usage of CHA
as A-7-5 or High Plasticity Clay (CH) according to American for the treatment of expansive soil is evaluated.
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) and USCS, respectively. From the test results the
soil is classified as CH with low permeability and high swell–
shrink capacity.

Table 1. Properties of soil used for this study

Test Result
Grain size analysis Course Gravel% 4.7
Sand% 10.1
Fine Silt% 30.33
Clay% 54.87
Consistency limit Liquid limit% 93.4
Plastic limit% 40.46
Plasticity index 52.94
Shrinkage limit% 16.72
Swell characteristics Free swell ratio 2.5 Fig. 5. Grain size analysis of CHA
Volumetric shrinkage% 142.9 Sample Preparation
Compaction Optimum moisture content 37.2
characteristics % The samples are collected according to the standard sampling
Maximum dry density ( 1.242 procedure. The soil is prepared for different tests after air
gcm-³)
drying and then mixed with coffee husk ash on a dry weight
Strength parameters UCS (KPa) 81.16
basis. Proper care is taken to produce a homogenous mixture.
Cohesion (KPa) 40.55
For the unconfined compressive strength test, the specimens
Soil property Specific gravity 2.685
are prepared in the laboratory depending on the Proctor data at
Coefficient of 2.885x1
permeability(ms-1) 0-11
the required maximum dry density and optimum moisture
Organic content (%) 7.82 content with different percentages of CHA and were kept at
Activity of soil 0.96 room temperature and cured for 1, 7 and 14 days.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Coffee Husk Ash
Consistency Limits
Coffee husk is a by-product of coffee. Ethiopia produces
coffee abundantly; its husk requires a large area for storage The effect of CHA on consistency behavior of the soil sample
is determined by the evaluation of Atterberg limits.
46404 Atahu et al. Effect of coffee husk ash on geotechnical properties of expansive soil

ASTM D4318 Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic a 425 µm sieve in a 100 ml measuring jar filled with distilled
Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils is performed to determine water. The swollen volume of expansive soil and expansive
the plastic and liquid limits of a fine-grained soil. Figure 6 soil/CHA mixes are recorded as final volume (Vf) after 24
indicates that the addition of CHA in different percentages has hours and the initial volume is recorded as Vi. The FSI is
a noticeable effect on the liquid limit and plasticity index of determined using Equation 1 and the results are shown in
the soil. As the amount of CHA increases the plasticity index Figure 8.
decreases and the soil classification goes from highly plastic
clay (CH) to highly plastic silt (MH).
Eq.1.
Volumetric shrinkage is the decrease in volume of a soil mass
when the water content is reduced from a given percentage to
the shrinkage limit and which is expressed as percentage of dry
volume of the soil mass [Tariful et al., 1999].
The volumetric shrinkage of soil and soil/CHA mixtures is
determined using Equation 2.

Eq.2.
where Vs is volumetric shrinkage and Vw and Vd are wet and
dry volume of the samples, respectively. Volumetric changes
of the soils may cause unfavorable effects such as damage to
buildings and cracks in roads. The effect of the addition of
Fig.6. Plasticity chart showing classification of soil CHA on the volumetric shrinkage of soils is presented in
and soil/CHA mixture Figure 8 and shown in Figure 9.

Compaction

Compaction is the artificial improvement of the mechanical

properties of the soil, which increases the resistance and
reduces the deformation capacity and void ratio. To determine
optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of the
expansive soil and treated soil, standard Proctor compaction
tests were performed according to ASTM D698, at different
percentages of CHA. Figure 7 shows the behavior of the soil
due to the addition of different percentages of CHA, up to
20%. As the percentage of CHA increases there is an increase
in dry density and a decrease in moisture content.

Fig.8. Effect of CHA on free swell index

and volumetric shrinkage
The BC soil used for this study has a high swelling and
shrinking capacity, and the addition of CHA on soil samples
shows significant change on volumetric shrinkage. The FSI
value decreases from 150% to 58% and the Vs value decreases
from 143% to 70% by adding 25% CHA, which indicates
about a three-fold and two-fold reduction respectively
compared to untreated soil.

Fig.7. Moisture–density relationship of

soil and soil/CHA mixtures

Free Swell Index and Volumetric Shrinkage

Fig.9. Shrinkage behavior with (1) expansive soil,
Soil swelling is an expansion in volume that causes significant (2) +10% CHA and (3) +25% CHA
problems leading to serious damage and economic Unconfined Compressive Strength
consequences in construction sectors, mainly in road
construction. The free swell index (FSI) test is performed on The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test is a standard
untreated and treated soil samples by slowly pouring 10 grams and the most common strength test used to characterize
of dry soil and 10 grams of soil/CHA mixture passing through stabilized soils and has been found to be a competent indicator
46405 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 9, Issue, 02, pp.46401-46406, February, 2017

of the durability of soils [Agapitus Ahamefule Amadi, 2014]. It is also found that the addition of higher percentages of CHA
The tests are conducted according to the ASTM D2166 method results in a decrease of both the unconfined compressive
for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils. strength and maximum dry density of the soil. The swell and
Specimens for the UCS test were prepared with 5 cm diameter shrinkage tests indicated that the swelling and shrinking
and 10 cm height and cured at room temperature for 1, 7 and capacity of the soil stabilized with the addition of 25% CHA
14 days. The UCS results of soil and soil/CHA mixtures with reduced by more than half compared to the untreated soil. The
different percentages of CHA and curing time are presented in study indicates the potential usage of CHA in road
Figure 10. construction, but further study on the effectivity, economy,
optimum value of CHA and durability of CHA-stabilized soils
is essential.

Acknowledgment

The financial support from Katholischer Akademischer

Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD) is gratefully acknowledged.

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