Soil and Base Stabilization and Associated Drainage Considerations

Stabilization of subgrade soils and aggregates by chemical or mechanical means is quite common. In chemical stabilization, chemical additives are incorporated into a soil and serve as a modifying or cementing agent. Mechanical stabilization is achieved by mixing or blending soils of two or more gradations to obtain a material meeting a specific requirement.'') The decision as to the appropriate method of stabilization (mechanical or chemical) is one of economy and requires an appreciation of the engineering advantages and disadvantages of each stabilization type. Although chemical stabilization is the primary focus of this paper, certain comparisons can be made between mechanical and chemical stabilization using this paper. The paper concentrates on the selection and usage of the various chemical stabilizers and provides the engineer with information to perform the following: i. Select the type or the types of stabilizer suitable for a specific soil. ii. Determine individual stabilizer (i.e., lime, cement) or combination stabilizer (i.e., limecement, lime-asphalt) contents for particular soils based on results from laboratory tests, typical property values, and an understanding of the physicalchemical reactions of each additive. iii. Identify stabilized material requirements needed to ensure adequate performance in a pavement system. iv. Develop pavement design alternatives which contain both unstabilized and stabilized layers. v. Compare life cycle costs and energy requirements of alternate pavement designs using stabilized materials and drainage installations. The chemical stabilizers to be discussed in detail pertain to soil and base stabilization and include: Lime Lime-fly ash Portland cement Commercially available inorganic stabilizers BACKGROUND The problem of improving unsuitable soils has continually forced engineers to evaluate new procedures and techniques to accomplish this improvement. The concept of soil modification through stabilization with additives has been around for at least 5000 years, when soil was stabilized with lime or pozzolans for the same economic reasons soils are stabilized today. This unique contribution to roadway construction is as beneficial today as it was then. Soil stabilization is a tool for economic roadbuilding, conservation of materials, investment protection, and roadway upgrading. In

many instances, soils that are unsatisfactory in their natural state can be made suitable for subsequent construction by treatment with admixtures, by the addition of aggregate, or by proper compaction. A major concern in recent years has been localized shortages of conventional high quality aggregates. The highway construction industry consumes over half of the annual production of aggregates. However, this traditional use of aggregates in pavement construction has resulted in acute shortages in those areas that normally have adequate supplies. Other areas of the country have never had good quality aggregates available locally. Metropolitan areas have experienced shortages as land use planning has not recognized the need for material availability to support continued growth. As in all engineering problems, the economics must be considered in light of the benefits derived from the stabilization process to determine if stabilization is warranted. The cost-effectiveness of each stabilizer additive is generally the final criteria in selecting one or more of the additives for use. However, these criteria may be overruled by the availability of a particular stabilizer. No matter how beneficial or cost-effective a stabilizer is, if it is not available, it will not be used. The combinations of regulations which prohibit mining and production of aggregates, and land use patterns that make aggregate deposit inaccessible, combine to produce an escalation of aggregate costs. The result is an increase in highway construction and maintenance costs. Consequently, there is a pat need to find more economical replacements for conventional aggregates. A stabilization technique for substitute materials and for improving marginal materials is a natural focus resulting from this problem. Existing literature suggests that soil stabilization is a desired design alternative.It is necessary for the user to keep in mind the purpose of the stabilization process. The intended use of stabilizer, coupled with the mechanics of the stabilization process, form the basis for selecting the type and quantity of stabilizer to be used. Listed here are several reasons and advantages for using stabilization: Provide a temporary or permanent wearing surface for low volume roads. Provide a stable working platform for construction activities. Improve poor subgrade conditions. Upgrade marginal base materials. Provide dust control. Water-proof the soil. Salvage old roads with marginal materials. Construction of superior bases. Improve strength, reducing thickness requirements

Improve durability. Control volume change of soils. Dry back wet sails. Improve workability.

Conserve aggregate materials. Reduce overall costs. Conserve energy

TYPES OF STABILIZATION ACTIVITY There are three primary modes of stabilization associated with the chemicals considered for cementing, modifying, and waterproofing. All four principal stabilizers (portland cement, lime, lime-fly ash, and asphalt) exhibit some form of cementing action, given adequate stabilizer contents. Portland cement, lime, and lime-fly ash generally react to form cement-like materials. This reaction is referred to as a pozzolanic reaction. Once the mixture has set up, a hardened matrix of cement and soil particles results. The cementing action experienced by asphalt is considerably different. No chemical reactions take place; the asphalt material coats the soil particles and binds them together. The result, once the asphalt cures, is a semi-hardened. mixture of binder and soil particles. Occasionally, the use of considerable amounts 'of stabilizer to provide cementing action is restricted due to costs. In this case, smaller quantities of stabilizer can be added to a soil in order to modify it. Although cement, lime, and asphalt can all serve in this capacity, lime is particular effective at reducing the plasticity and changing the texture of clay soils. Asphalt stabilization provides waterproofing by coating the soil or aggregate particles with asphalt, a barrier is created which retards the absorption of moisture by the particles. Lime, cement, and lime fly-ash provide a degree of moisture resistance by reducing capillary action which reduces the amount of water that can move upward through the stabilized soil into the pavement structure. The process by which an additive accomplishes the stabilization activity depends on the nature of the additive and how it interacts with the soil being stabilized. Soil-Stabilizer interactions are classified as follows:
Active

- Stabilizer produces a chemical reaction with the soil or aggregate (lime).

Passive (Inert) - Stabilizer produces no chemical reaction; only physical actions are effected (asphalt). Intermediate - Stabilizer produces chemical reaction within itself and f orms a physical bond with the soil or aggregate (cement, lime fly-ash). 4. STABILIZER SELECTION This section presents the selection process to be followed in determining the most economical additive for a pavement stabilization project. While each additive has an

ability to stabilize, it is necessary to examine the soil that is to be stabilized to determine if its properties are compatible with one or more of the additives available for the project. General soil properties to be considered include: Gradation.

.Maximum particle size. - Fines content (passing No. 200 sieve). Plasticity. .Liquid Limit. - Plasticity Index.

Knowledge of the soil to be stabilized in terms of these properties can provide a good indication to the engineer which stabilizer will be most cost-effective. Several guides have been developed to assist the engineer in the stabilization.

Selection process. A majority of these guides are based on a knowledge of the fundamental properties of the soil. The Soil Stabilization Index System (SSIS). Selection method, for instance, provides a step-by-step procedure for determining the
type of stabilizer to use.(9) This process is illustrated in figure 4.

Illustrated in table 1, suggest stabilization methods for particular soil types based on their location in the pavement structure and the purpose or function of their use (i.e.,