Effects Of Waste Engine Oil Contamination On The Plasticity, Strength And Permeability Of Lateritic Clay

This experimental investigation was carried out to determine the effects of contaminating a lateritic clay soil with waste engine oil on its geotechnical engineering properties. Varying percentages (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) of waste engine oil were mixed with the soil, as a simulation of its contamination. Specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and permeability tests were conducted on the uncontaminated and contaminated soil samples. The specific gravity, plastic limit, optimum moisture content, maximum dry unit weight, and permeability of the soil decreased as its waste engine oil content increased. The liquid limit, plasticity index and CBR of the soil increased as its waste engine oil content increased. The plasticity and permeability properties of the soil make it unsuitable for use as a construction material, without modification or stabilization of the contaminated soil