The Role of Eggshell Powder in Soil Stabilization

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 58 views

Overcoming the Challenges of Clay Soil: Stabilization with Eggshell Powder and Lime

Clay soil, with its unpredictable nature depending on the water content, often poses a significant obstacle in development projects. When dry, this ground is hard and unyielding, but when wet, it becomes soft and prone to expansion. This makes clay soil vulnerable to decreased and cracked structures, which can damage the foundation of buildings and infrastructure. To overcome this problem, a process of soil stabilization is needed to increase the carrying capacity and stability of the soil.

This study aims to examine the potential of eggshells and lime shells as material stabilization of clay soil. The primary objective is to improve the physical and mechanical properties of the soil, which is measured through the value of CBR (California bearing ratio) and free compressive strength test. The study uses original clay soil with characteristics: 34.99% water content, specific weight 2.62, liquid limit (LL) 45.89%, plastic limit (PL) 18.00%, and Plasticity Index (IP) 27, 88%. Based on the USCS classification, this soil belongs to the CL (Clay - Low Plasticity) category, indicating an inorganic clay with low to moderate plasticity. According to AASHTO, this land is included in the A-7-6 type. The initial CBR value of the original soil is 5.02%, while the free compressive strength test (UCT) is only 1.40 gr/cm2.

The Role of Eggshell Powder in Soil Stabilization

Eggshell powder contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which has alkaline properties. When mixed with clay soil, CaCO3 reacts with water and forms calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This process causes changes in soil structure, forms stronger bonds, and increases the carrying capacity of the soil. The addition of eggshell powder can significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of clay soil, making it more stable and resistant to changes in water content.

The Benefits of Using Eggshell and Lime Shells

The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials offers several benefits, including:

*** Increasing the Carrying Capacity of the Soil:** Stabilization with eggshell powder and lime increases soil strength, so that it can withstand heavier loads. *** Preventing the Development and Depreciation of Soil:** Stabilization helps reduce changes in soil volume due to changes in water content. *** Increasing Soil Resistance to Water:** Stabilization makes the soil more waterproof, reducing the potential for damage due to rainwater. *** Environmentally Friendly:** Eggshell powder is an organic waste that is easily obtained and can be processed into effective stabilization material.

The Role of Lime in Soil Stabilization

Lime (CaO) also has alkaline properties and reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide. The addition of lime helps increase soil pH, which can reduce the potential for the development of clay land and increase soil strength. Lime can also help to improve the physical and mechanical properties of clay soil, making it more stable and resistant to changes in water content.

The Results of the Study

The results of this study show that the addition of eggshells and limestone powders significantly increase the value of CBR and UCT clay soil. The most significant increase occurred in a mixture with 12% eggshell powder and 2% lime, with a CBR value of 16.51% and UCT 2.77 gr/cm2 after the affair for 14 days.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential of eggshell and lime shell powder as an effective and environmentally friendly clay soil stabilization material. The results of this study can be applied in infrastructure development, especially in areas with clay land that has high development and depreciation nature. The use of local materials such as eggshell powder can also help reduce development costs and increase environmental sustainability.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials can be applied in various infrastructure development projects, including roads, buildings, and bridges.
The addition of eggshell powder and lime can significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of clay soil, making it more stable and resistant to changes in water content.
The use of local materials such as eggshell powder can help reduce development costs and increase environmental sustainability.
Further research is needed to explore the potential of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials in different types of soil and under various environmental conditions.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a small scale and may not be representative of larger-scale projects.
The study only examined the effects of eggshell powder and lime on clay soil and did not investigate the effects of other stabilization materials.
The study did not consider the long-term effects of eggshell powder and lime on clay soil.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Investigating the effects of eggshell powder and lime on different types of soil and under various environmental conditions.
Exploring the potential of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials in larger-scale projects.
Developing new and more efficient methods for processing eggshell powder and lime into effective stabilization materials.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of eggshell and lime shell powder as an effective and environmentally friendly clay soil stabilization material. The results of this study can be applied in infrastructure development, especially in areas with clay land that has high development and depreciation nature. The use of local materials such as eggshell powder can also help reduce development costs and increase environmental sustainability.

Q: What is clay soil and why is it a problem in development projects?

A: Clay soil is a type of soil that is prone to changes in water content, making it unpredictable and difficult to work with. When dry, it is hard and unyielding, but when wet, it becomes soft and prone to expansion. This can cause damage to structures and infrastructure, making it a significant obstacle in development projects.

Q: What is the purpose of soil stabilization?

A: The primary purpose of soil stabilization is to increase the carrying capacity and stability of the soil, making it more suitable for development projects. Soil stabilization involves adding materials to the soil to improve its physical and mechanical properties, such as strength, durability, and resistance to water.

Q: What are the benefits of using eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials offers several benefits, including:

Increasing the carrying capacity of the soil
Preventing the development and depreciation of soil
Increasing soil resistance to water
Being environmentally friendly

Q: How do eggshell and lime shells improve the physical and mechanical properties of clay soil?

A: Eggshell powder contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which has alkaline properties. When mixed with clay soil, CaCO3 reacts with water and forms calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This process causes changes in soil structure, forms stronger bonds, and increases the carrying capacity of the soil. Lime (CaO) also has alkaline properties and reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, which helps increase soil pH and reduce the potential for the development of clay land.

Q: What are the limitations of using eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a small scale and may not be representative of larger-scale projects
The study only examined the effects of eggshell powder and lime on clay soil and did not investigate the effects of other stabilization materials
The study did not consider the long-term effects of eggshell powder and lime on clay soil

Q: What are the potential applications of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials can be applied in various infrastructure development projects, including:

Roads
Buildings
Bridges
Other civil engineering projects

Q: How can eggshell and lime shells be obtained and processed into effective stabilization materials?

A: Eggshell powder can be obtained from eggshell waste and processed into a fine powder using a mill or grinder. Lime (CaO) can be obtained from limestone and processed into a fine powder using a mill or grinder.

Q: What are the potential environmental benefits of using eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials can help reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability. Eggshell powder is an organic waste that is easily obtained and can be processed into effective stabilization material.

Q: What are the potential economic benefits of using eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: The use of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials can help reduce development costs and increase environmental sustainability. The use of local materials such as eggshell powder can also help reduce transportation costs and promote economic development.

Q: What are the potential future research directions for eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials?

A: Future research should focus on:

Investigating the effects of eggshell powder and lime on different types of soil and under various environmental conditions
Exploring the potential of eggshell and lime shells as soil stabilization materials in larger-scale projects
Developing new and more efficient methods for processing eggshell powder and lime into effective stabilization materials