Improvement of cement stabilized structural lateritic with pulverized snail shell

This study investigated the suitability of pulverized snail shell (PSS) as partial replacement of cement stabilized soil in foundation constructions. Preliminary and engineering tests were carried out on the soil samples. The optimum cement content fixed at 11% in correlation to Unified Soil Classification System, the PSS was introduced at varying percentages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. Results revealed that, addition of PSS and 11% cement to lateritic soil caused a reduction in both liquid limits and plasticity index and an increased in plastic limits for all samples. Engineering tests showed the maximum dry density at optimum cement increased from 1493.34 ± 103.58 kg.m⁻³ to 1632 ± 435.81 kg.m⁻³ for sample A; 1476.77 ± 367.51 kg.m⁻³ to 1668 ± 202.58 kg.m⁻³ for sample B; 1460.77 ± 623.58 kg.m⁻³ to 1651 ± 135.45 kg.m⁻³ for sample C. The CBR recorded highest value at 4%PSS optimum cement for all samples. The addition of pulverized snail shell increased the strength of cement stabilized lateritic soil for structural foundation construction.