Viability of selected agro-waste in Ghana as a ground enhancing material in grounding systems

• Published in: International Journal of Energy and Water Resources Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 437 - 447
• Main Authors: Akoto, J., Nunoo, S., Dankwah, J. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-09-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Aquatic Pollution; Bagasse; Bentonite; Bulk density; Carbon; Cation exchange; Cation exchanging; Charcoal; Cocoa; Compressibility; Density; Earth and Environmental Science; Electrical conductivity; Electrical equipment; Electrical grounding; Electrical resistivity; Energy; Environment; Failure load; Flow rates; Gravity; Load distribution; Mechanical properties; Moisture content; Moisture resistance; Original Article; Physical properties; Regions; Rice; Sawdust; Sugarcane; Waste Water Technology; Wastes; Water; Water content; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Ghana; Bentonite; Ground enhancing material; Agro-wastes; Green concrete
• ISSN: 2538-3604; 2522-0101
• DOI: 10.1007/s42108-023-00257-w

Chemical-based ground enhancing materials are key component of an efficient earthing system. However, economic and environmental considerations have refocused current research on greener, cost effective and locally available alternatives like bentonite and biochar of some agro-wastes. In this research, the viability of the biochar and conductive concrete of some locally available agro-wastes as ground enhancing materials were studied. Here, selected physical, chemical and mechanical properties of coconut husk char, cocoa husk char, sawdust char, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk char were studied relative to bentonite. Also, the relative importance of the contribution of the study physicochemical and mechanical parameters to ground resistance were considered. The results of this study suggests that cocoa husk char is similar to bentonites in physical and chemical characteristics compared to their other counterparts (coconut husk char, sugar cane bagasse, sawdust char and rice husk char, respectively) while coconut husk char is similar in its mechanical properties to bentonite. Recorded values for bulk density, moisture content, resistivity, pH, electrical conductivity, and effective cation exchange capacity for cocoa husk char were similar to that of bentonite. However, recorded values for compressibility, flow rate and failure load of coconut Husk were most similar to those of bentonite. Notably, coconut husk char and not cocoa husk char proved to be a better alternative for bentonite. This suggests that the study’s mechanical properties are important selection criteria for potential ground enhancing materials.