PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPACTED SAND–BENTONITE–OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ASH COMPOSITE FOR LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS.

Iheukwumere, C. U.; Ezugwu, C. N.; Mmonwuba, N. C.

Authors & affiliations

Iheukwumere, C. U.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State.

Ezugwu, C. N.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State

Mmonwuba, N. C.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State

Abstract

Summary

The increasing demand for environmentally sustainable and cost-effective landfill liner materials has created interest in the utilization of agricultural waste products as engineering materials. This study investigated the suitability of compacted bentonite admixed with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Ash (OPEFBA) as a composite landfill liner material. Laboratory tests were conducted on bentonite-OPEFBA mixtures prepared at varying proportions to evaluate their physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties. The tests conducted were particle size distribution, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, California bearing ratio(CBR), differential free swell index (DFSI), direct shear box, hydraulic conductivity, and Statistical analysis by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) on how OPEFBA will affect the engineering behaviour of the composite. It was found that when more bentonite and OPEFBA were added, the composite showed an increase in its plasticity index, compaction characteristic and strength. An average value of 2.64 was recorded for specific gravity. The DFSI of 520% was recorded for the sodium bentonite, which indicates that it has high swellability and sealing ability. It was also observed that CBR values increased as the amount of OPEFBA increased and better compaction characteristics were achieved. Statistical analysis indicated that OPEFBA significantly influenced particle size distribution, compaction characteristics and specific gravity, whereas its effects on Atterberg limits, direct shear strength and CBR were not statistically significant. The lowest hydraulic conductivity achieved was 2.5 × 10-7 cm/s, which was when using 10% OPEFBA. This was greatly lower than that of the untreated samples but still exceeded the maximum hydraulic conductivity of 1.0 × 10-7 cm/s.

Keywords

Index Terms

Landfill liner; Bentonite; Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Ash (OPEFBA); Physical properties; Mechanical properties; Regression model.

Citation & details

How to cite this article

Authors: Iheukwumere, C. U., Ezugwu, C. N., Mmonwuba, N. C.

Volume/Issue: Volume 10, Issue 2

Pages: 256-270

Published: October 23, 2026

Affiliations: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State., Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State

Iheukwumere, C. U., Ezugwu, C. N., Mmonwuba, N. C. (2026). PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPACTED SAND–BENTONITE–OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ASH COMPOSITE FOR LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS.. International Journal of Innovative Engineering, Technology & Science (IJIETS), Volume 10, Issue 2, 256-270.

Iheukwumere, C. U., Ezugwu, C. N., Mmonwuba, N. C.. "PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPACTED SAND–BENTONITE–OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ASH COMPOSITE FOR LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS.." International Journal of Innovative Engineering, Technology & Science (IJIETS), vol. Volume 10, Issue 2, 2026, pp. 256-270.

Iheukwumere, C. U., Ezugwu, C. N., Mmonwuba, N. C.. "PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPACTED SAND–BENTONITE–OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ASH COMPOSITE FOR LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS.." International Journal of Innovative Engineering, Technology & Science (IJIETS) Volume 10, Issue 2 (2026): 256-270.

@article{physicalandmechanicalcharacterizationofcompactedsandbentoniteoilpalmemptyfruitbunchashcompositeforlandfilllinerapplications2026, author = {Iheukwumere, C. U. and Ezugwu, C. N. and Mmonwuba, N. C.}, title = {PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPACTED SAND–BENTONITE–OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH ASH COMPOSITE FOR LANDFILL LINER APPLICATIONS.}, journal = {International Journal of Innovative Engineering, Technology & Science (IJIETS)}, year = {2026}, volume = {Volume 10, Issue 2}, pages = {256-270} }

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