An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent

Murat Vergi Taciroğlu; Valdet Smajli; Emirhan Demir; Betul Nerkiz

An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable soil improvement techniques has encouraged the use of agricultural waste as a stabilizer. This study investigates the feasibility of using cow dung ash as a sustainable stabilizing agent for low-plasticity clay (CL) subgrade soils. Cow dung ash was incorporated into the soil at replacement ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by dry weight. The engineering performance of the stabilized soils was evaluated through X-ray fluorescence, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor, direct shear, and soaked California Bearing Ratio tests. The results showed that cow dung ash increased the liquid and plastic limits while reducing the plasticity index, indicating an improvement in soil consistency characteristics. Increasing the cow dung ash content decreased the maximum dry density and increased the optimum moisture content. The internal friction angle improved significantly, reaching its maximum at 10% cow dung ash, whereas the highest CBR value was obtained at 15% cow dung ash, representing approximately a threefold increase compared with the untreated soil. Overall, the optimum cow dung ash content was determined to be between 10% and 15%, providing the most favorable balance between compaction, shear strength, and bearing capacity. The findings demonstrate that cow dung ash is a promising, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative stabilizer for pavement subgrade applications.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Materials Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Murat Vergi Taciroğlu ^*
0000-0002-0672-1672
Türkiye

Valdet Smajli
0009-0004-8604-0958
Türkiye

Emirhan Demir
0000-0000-1072-2172
Türkiye

Betul Nerkiz
0009-0004-1213-3174
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 27, 2026

Submission Date

July 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 2 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Taciroğlu, M. V., Smajli, V., Demir, E., & Nerkiz, B. (2026). An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent. Journal of Ceramics and Composites, 2(2), 8-16. https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE

AMA

1.Taciroğlu MV, Smajli V, Demir E, Nerkiz B. An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent. jcc. 2026;2(2):8-16. https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE

Chicago

Taciroğlu, Murat Vergi, Valdet Smajli, Emirhan Demir, and Betul Nerkiz. 2026. “An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash As a Soil Stabilizing Agent”. Journal of Ceramics and Composites 2 (2): 8-16. https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE.

EndNote

Taciroğlu MV, Smajli V, Demir E, Nerkiz B (August 1, 2026) An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent. Journal of Ceramics and Composites 2 2 8–16.

IEEE

[1]M. V. Taciroğlu, V. Smajli, E. Demir, and B. Nerkiz, “An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent”, jcc, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 8–16, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE

ISNAD

Taciroğlu, Murat Vergi - Smajli, Valdet - Demir, Emirhan - Nerkiz, Betul. “An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash As a Soil Stabilizing Agent”. Journal of Ceramics and Composites 2/2 (August 1, 2026): 8-16. https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE.

JAMA

1.Taciroğlu MV, Smajli V, Demir E, Nerkiz B. An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent. jcc. 2026;2:8–16.

MLA

Taciroğlu, Murat Vergi, et al. “An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash As a Soil Stabilizing Agent”. Journal of Ceramics and Composites, vol. 2, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 8-16, https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE.

Vancouver

1.Murat Vergi Taciroğlu, Valdet Smajli, Emirhan Demir, Betul Nerkiz. An Investigation into the Potential Use of Cow Dung Ash as a Soil Stabilizing Agent. jcc [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;2(2):8-16. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA82ZZ68RE