Response Surface Methodology: The Improvement of Tropical Residual Soil Mechanical Properties Utilizing Calcined Seashell Powder and Treated Coir Fibre

Vivi Anggraini (), Sandun Dassanayake (), Endene Emmanuel, Lee Li Yong, Fatin Amirah Kamaruddin and Agusril Syamsir
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Vivi Anggraini: Civil Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
Sandun Dassanayake: Department of Decision Sciences, Faculty of Business, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri Lanka
Endene Emmanuel: Civil Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
Lee Li Yong: Civil Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
Fatin Amirah Kamaruddin: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Agusril Syamsir: Institute of Energy Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram Uniten, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-29

Abstract: Calcined seashell (CSS) powder and treated coir fibre (CF) are well-established additives for reinforcing poor soils. However, the absence of specific mix designs to optimize the mix additives makes it difficult to predict their combined effect on improving the mechanical behaviour of poor soils. This research explores the use of response surface methods to find the optimal proportions of CSS and CF for enhancing the mechanical properties of a tropical residual soil. This study uses a combination of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression models to examine how the independent variables of the CSS content, CF content, and curing duration influence the responses of the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), Flexural Strength (FS), and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS). The findings show that the optimal mix of 9.06% CSS, 0.30% CF, and 12 days of curing significantly improved the UCS, FS, and ITS by roughly six, four, and three times, respectively. Microstructural analysis revealed that the formation of calcium-aluminate-hydrate and calcium-silicate-hydrate are the primary components responsible for the enhanced mechanical properties of the treated soil.

Keywords: residual soil; coir fibre; seashell; microstructure; response surface methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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