MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF FERRO LATERITE SOIL WITH CEMENT STABILIZATION AS BASE MATERIAL

This study aimed to determine and evaluated the mechanical characteristic of the potential ferro laterite soil with cement stabilization to be used as base material. Ferro laterite soil obtained from three different sites at the East Halmahera Regency. The sampling was process by conventional excavation on the surface, soil sampling was inserted into the sample bag and labeling as LH1 for first location, LH2 for the second location, and LH3 for a third location. Furthermore, soil is prepared for physical properties test. The sampling results were tested for physical properties of the soil according to ASTM and SNI standardization, the testing includes: moisture content, particle size distribution, specific gravity, and the Atterberg limits, as well as compaction test. Making of the soil test specimen is done by mixing the ferro laterite soil with the addition of cement in a composition of 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% on the initial condition of maximum density and optimum moisture content gained from standard Proctor test. Cylindrical test specimen with dimensions H = 2D, then cured for 3, 7, 14, and 28 days before being tested for soil compressive strength with UCS testing. The test results showed that the ferro laterite soil stabilization with cement increases the compressive strength for the three types of ferro laterite soil that is significantly until the curing time of 28 days (73-357 kPa, 79-588 kPa, 62-450 kPa, respectively for LH1, LH2 and LH3). Based on these test results, the ferro laterite soil has the potential to be used as road base material and construction material, but it is necessary to test in detail the physical model (prototype) prior to implementation in the field