The Impact of Pulverized Cow Bone on the Atterberg Limits of Lateritic Soil from Uwheru Town, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of pulverized cow bone (PCB) on the Atterberg limits of lateritic soil samples in Southern Nigeria. The liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL), and plasticity index (PI) of natural soil and soil mixed with different proportions of PCB were determined in the laboratory. The results showed that the liquid limit of the soil decreased with increasing PCB content, while the plastic limit increased, except for the sample mixed with 6% PCB, which had a lower plastic limit than the sample mixed with 4% PCB. The plasticity index of the soil also reduced with increasing PCB content. All the soil samples, both natural and stabilized, met the recommended maximum liquid limit for sub-base and base materials. The findings suggest that the addition of PCB may improve the soil's shear strength and reduce its susceptibility to plastic deformation. These results can be useful in the design and construction of roads and other civil engineering structures using lateritic soils in Southern Nigeria