Abstract
Used lubricating oil contaminated soil was treated with up to 6 % lime by dry weight of soil. Specimens of artificially contaminated lateritic soil were treated and compacted using the British Standard light (BSL) (i.e., standard proctor) energy (relative compaction = 100 %) and subjected to unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests. The results of laboratory tests show that properties of the soil improved when treated with lime. The UCS and the unsoaked CBR values increased from 420 kN/m2 and 22 % for the natural soil to 447 kN/m2 and 35 %, respectively, at 2 % oil/2 % lime treatment. The UCS and CBR values increased by 6 and 59 %, respectively. Based on compaction characteristics and strength assessments, optimum properties of the oil contaminated soil were obtained at 2 % lime content. The mixture can be used as sub-base material for lightly trafficked roads.