Comparison of the effectiveness of micromaterials and nanomaterials of lime as a stabilizing agent for expansive soils on the value of the plasticity index

Civil Engineering Department, Bandung State Polytechnic, Jalan Gegerkalong Hilir, Ds. Ciwaruga, Bandung 40163, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: hendry@polban.ac.id

Abstract

Expansive soils are soils that have high shrinkage expansion. This condition is detrimental to buildings on it. Losses due to swelling and shrinkage in expansive soils require stabilization with quicklime with varying particle sizes of materials needed to reduce soil swelling and shrinkage. Stabilization with nano has been widely used. However, the procurement of nanomaterials is very expensive. Therefore, this paper will explain the effectiveness of micromaterials when compared to nanomaterials. The main focus that will be discussed in this paper is how the comparison of plasticity index (PI) values between micromaterials and quicklime nanomaterials on expansive soils. The research was conducted at the Bandung State Polytechnic Laboratory. This research uses a stabilization method by adding 2% lime per particle size. The procurement price of nanomaterial was Rp. 2,500,000 and micromaterial was Rp. 1,500,000. The plasticity index (PI) test results obtained are the original soil is 35.68%; mixed soil 2% micromaterial lime is 11.51%; and mixed soil 2% nanomaterial lime is 7.62%. The results of PI values < 12 both include low expansive, so the more effective result is the PI condition of adding 2% micromaterial lime with the procurement of cheaper prices.