EFFECT OF SOIL TREATMENT WITH TERRAZYME ON CBR%

Summary by

Nature Plus, Inc.

555 Lordship Blvd.
Stratford, CT 06615

2 February 1998

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 EFFECT OF SOIL TREATMENT WITH TERRAZYME ON CBR%

Previous research conducted by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (Scholen, 1992) indicates that enzyme
stabilization products are effective on soil roads, particularly with soil bases containing higher clay contents (5-
15% finer than 0.002 mm) mixed with well-graded aggregates.

In response to the request from Nature Plus, Inc., a laboratory study has been undertaken and completed on the
effectiveness of TerraZyme  treatment in increasing the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of compacted soils.

The testing has been performed on three soil gradations (coarse, medium and fine) using a standard solution of
TerraZyme. Tests were performed on samples which were allowed to cure for 1, 4, and 14 weeks after
compaction. The results from these tests were compared with untreated samples, which were compacted to the
same density, but were not treated with TerraZyme.

The objectives of the TerraZyme testing program were to determine:

(1) if CBR% improvement observed under field conditions could also be observed in a laboratory setting,

(2) if the CBR% improvement was a function of the cure time after compaction, and

(3) if the CBR% improvement would be dependent on the fines content of the soil gradation.

The results of the Study are discussed under the following headings:

(1) Summary
(2) Soil Specimen Characteristics
(3) Testing Procedures
(4) Test Results
(5) Conclusions.

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1. Study Summary
• The CBR values for all three TerraZyme treated gradations (coarse, medium and fine) increased
significantly at 4 weeks and 14 weeks over the untreated t = 0 readings. See Appendix, Figure 6.

• The CBR values for the TerraZyme treated coarse, medium and fine gradation specimens
showed improvement ratios of 2.5, 3.9 and 4.0 times, respectively, at 14 weeks. Appendix Figures 3, 4
and 5.

• CBR values at 14 weeks for the TerraZyme treated fine gradation specimens (40% fines) were
higher than those for the medium and coarse specimens, Figure 6.

• CBR% improvement of soils treated with TerraZyme may require up to 4 weeks to fully develop
in the laboratory or in the field, Figure 6.

• Proper soil wetting (at Optimum Moisture Content) and compaction are important application
parameters in obtaining good CBR% values. See Appendix, Figures 1, 2.

2. Soil Specimen Characteristics

Three soil specimen types were used in conducting the laboratory testing. These soil types are designated as
coarse, medium and fine gradations. Each test specimen was prepared by mixing together a variety of oven-dried
soils to obtain the required gradation (fine, medium or coarse), that gave a range of product characteristics. Oven
temperature was at 100 degrees F.

Grain Size Distribution. The grain size distribution for each soil gradation type was determined according to
ASTM D422 and is shown in Figure 1. This Figure shows the percent of the total sample that passes through a
given sieve size on the x-axis. Gravel particles are coarser than 4.75 mm. Sand has a grain size between 4.75 mm
and 0.075 mm. Silt size is between 0.075 and 0.002 mm and clay size is finer than 0.002 mm.

The percentage of clay size material in the coarse, medium and fine gradations is 4.5, 7.2 and 12.5, respectively.
The percentage of the gradation within a range of sieve sizes is also summarized for each gradation in Table 1 and
in the Appendix (Figure 1).

Table 1 - Soil gradation distributions for three test specimen types used in CBR testing.

Test Soil >12.7 mm 12.7 – 4.75 mm 4.75 – 2.0 mm 2.0 - 0.075 mm < 0.075 mm
Gradation 12.7 - # 4 #4 - #10 #10 - #200 < #200
Fine 5% 10% 15% 30% 40%
Medium 15% 20% 17% 24% 24%
Coarse 18% 23% 21% 23% 15%

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Atterberg Limits. In addition to determining the soil gradation, the Atterberg limits were
determined for each soil type according to ASTM D4318. The Atterberg tests were performed
on the portion of the specimen passing a #40 sieve in accordance with ASTM specifications.
The plastic limit, liquid limit and plasticity index for each soil type are summarized in Table 2.
The limit values are very similar for each gradation. The pH of each of the soil types was also
determined and these values are also summarized in Table 2. The pH is close to neutral in all
cases.

Table 2 - Summary of Atterberg Limits and pH values for three soil specimens used in testing.

Test Soil Plastic Limit Liquid Limit Plasticity Index pH

Gradation (PL) (LL) (PI)
Fine 24 28 4 6.8
Medium 23 28 5 7.1
Coarse 22 27 5 7.0

Soil Classification. Based on the Atterberg limits, the soil passing the #40 sieve would classify
as a low plasticity clay silt (CL-ML) according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
or A-7 soil according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) classification system.

Based on the soil gradation and Atterberg limits, the coarse, medium and fine gradations have
been classified according to both the AASHTO and USC systems. The classifications for each
gradation are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3 - Soil classification of the three soil gradation types used in the testing.

Test Soil Gradation AASHTO Classification USCS Classification

Fine A-4 SM
Medium A-1-b SW
Coarse A-1-a SW

Modified Proctor Testing. The maximum dry density and optimum moisture content for each
soil gradation were determined by performing a modified Proctor test in accordance with ASTM
D-1557. The unit weight versus moisture content curves obtained from the Proctor testing for
each soil gradation type are presented in the Appendix (Figure. 2). As the gradation becomes
coarser, the maximum unit weight increases and the optimum moisture content decreases. The
maximum unit weight and optimum moisture content for each soil gradation are summarized in
Table 4.

Table 4 Maximum unit weight and optimum moisture content of the three soil gradation types used in the
testing.

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Test Soil Maximum Dry Unit weight Optimum Moisture Content
Gradation lb/ft3 (kg/m3) (%)
Fine 128.8 (20.2) 9.0
Medium 129.8 (20.4) 8.2
Coarse 133.7 (21.0) 6.6

3. Testing Procedures
Each test specimen was compacted to 90% of the maximum unit weight and at the optimum moisture content as
determined by the modified Proctor testing. For each test specimen, the amount of water necessary to bring the
soil to the optimum moisture content was added to the dry soil. In the case of treated specimens, the TerraZyme
solution was used to bring the soil to the optimum moisture content rather than water only.

The TerraZyme concentration was pre-mixed with water to the desired concentration in a 6.5 gallon (49 liter)
container. The weight of the dry soil was multiplied by the optimum moisture content to determine the weight of
water (or TerraZyme solution) that was needed. The water (or TerraZyme solution) was then thoroughly mixed in
with the dry soil.

Test specimens were compacted within a cylindrical mold having an inside diameter of 6 inches and a height of 7
inches. A spacer disk 5 15/16 inches in diameter and 2.416 inches high was placed in the bottom of the mold so
that the volume of compacted soil was 0.075 ft3.

The total weight of soil, W, which had to be compacted into the mold was determined using the following
equation:

W = 0.90 (γ d )max(1 + wopt/100) Vmold (1)

where (γ d )max = the maximum dry unit weight from the modified Proctor test
wopt = the optimum moisture content from the modified Proctor test
Vmold= the volume of the mold.

According to ASTM standards, the soil must be compacted in five equal layers, therefore, the total weight of
moist soil was divided by five to obtain the amount of moist soil to be compacted in each layer. Marking lines
were drawn inside the mold to indicate the height of each layer. The soil was then measured out and compacted
into the mold in layers using a modified Proctor hammer so that the total amount of moist soil fit into the CBR
mold with no extra space. This procedure ensured that a specimen with a uniform density was prepared.

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The soil compacted into the CBR mold was then left at room temperature (~72°F) for the
specified amount of time (1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, or 14 weeks). The CBR tests were performed
at the end of the specified time according to ASTM standards for an unsoaked specimen. (i.e. the
samples were tested at their existing moisture content without soaking for 24 hrs.). The
penetration piston was seated on the soil with the smallest possible load. This initial load was
required to ensure satisfactory seating of the piston and was considered as the zero load when
determining the load-penetration curve.

The load was applied to the penetration piston so that the rate of penetration was approximately
0.05 in. per minute. Penetration was measured with a dial gauge. The load readings at
penetrations of 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, 0.150, 0.175, 0.200, 0.300, 0.400, and 0.500
in. were recorded. The moisture content of the top 1-in. layer of the specimen was determined
after the each test was performed.

The treated specimens were tested to evaluate improvement at essentially the same moisture content. The piston
load in pound per square inch was plotted against the penetration in inches. Sometimes the plot was initially
concave upward due to surface irregularities. These curves were adjusted as specified by ASTM standards. The
corrected load values for 0.100-in. and 0.200-in. penetrations were taken from the load–penetration curve. The
bearing ratios were calculated by dividing the corrected load by the standard loads of 100 psi and 1500 psi, for 0.1
and 0.2 in penetrations respectively, and multiplying by 100. The bearing ratio reported is the higher of the two
ratios. The standard loads are the values which would be obtained for a test on compacted crushed rock after
soaking for 24 hrs.

Three CBR tests were initially performed on the untreated specimens to provide a baseline
value. After one week two treated specimens were tested. Then after 4 weeks and 14 weeks,
three treated specimens were tested.

4. Study Test Results

The results of the CBR testing on the treated and initial untreated specimens are summarized for the coarse,
medium and fine gradations in Tables 5, 6 and 7 in the Appendix, respectively. The results of each CBR test are
also presented graphically for the coarse, medium and fine gradations in the Appendix (Figures 3, 4, and 5,
respectively). There is a fair amount of scatter is some of the test results. The initial CBR’s varied with
gradation: 50% for coarse, 29% for medium and 34% for fine.

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For all gradations, the CBR values increased with time. The moisture content measurements on the upper 1 inch
of the specimens indicate that the moisture content was less than 1% after about one week. The drying
accounts for the fact that the CBR values exceed 100% in some cases. The reference value defining 100%
is for crushed rock that has been soaked for 24 hrs.

Soaked CBR values represent the most adverse condition that could be encountered, whereas the dry or as
compacted CBR would be more representative of the average road conditions.

Plots of the average CBR value for the treated soil specimens, as a function of time, are presented in the Appendix
(Figure 6) for the coarse, medium and fine gradations. In general, the CBR increases with time were more
significant as the gradation became finer. For the coarse gradation the average CBR increased from 50%
to 125% or an improvement ratio of 2.5 times. For the medium gradation the average CBR increased from
29% to 113% for an improvement ratio of 3.9 times. For the fine gradation the average CBR increased
from 34% to 137% for an improvement ratio of 4.0 time

The test results also indicate that the TerraZyme treatment provided important improvement for the coarse,
medium and fine gradations. The improvement appears to require approximately 4 weeks to develop. One
week after treatment, the CBR’s for the treated gradation specimens are somewhat higher than for the
initial specimen. But after 4 weeks, the treated specimens have CBR’s which are significantly higher than
the initial specimens on average. After 14 weeks, the average CBR for the treated gradation specimens
were even higher than for the untreated.

The test results suggest that there may be a minimum fines content or clay content, which must be present for
TerraZyme to produce most significant improvements. This same result have been experienced in the filed.

For this current Study, the fines fraction was composed of a low PI silt with only 4 to 7% clay size particles. For
this low PI fine fraction, the minimum fines content is apparently between 24 and 40%. For fine fractions with
higher PI’s and clay contents, the minimum fines content would be lower. Additional field and laboratory testing
is necessary to validate this concept and define the threshold fines content as a function of the plasticity index of
the soil.

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5. Conclusions

A series of CBR tests have been performed on soil specimens compacted with coarse, medium and fine
gradations. The CBR tests were performed on TerraZyme treated specimens, prepared following manufacturers
procedures and compared with initial untreated soil specimens. CBR tests were performed on multiple samples
that were tested 1, 4 and 14 weeks after compaction. It was attempted to have triplicate samples, but due to mold
breakage and handling problems, this was not always achieved. See Appendix for detailed data and graphical
comparisons.

Based on the results of the investigation, the following conclusions can be made:

1. The CBR values for all gradations increased significantly with time (Appendix, Figure 6).

2. The CBR values for the TerraZyme treated coarse and medium gradation specimens (15 and 24% fines,
respectively) were less than those from fine gradation specimens (Appendix Figures 3, 4, 5). Improvement is
projected from soil with higher percentages of clay size particles or a fine fraction with a higher plasticity
index.

3. CBR values for the TerraZyme treated three gradation specimens (40% fines) were significantly higher than
those at 4 weeks and 14 weeks after compaction than were initial untreated specimens (Appendix Figure 6).
On average for week 14, the CBR’s for the TerraZyme treated soil specimens were 2.5, 3.9 and 4.0 times
higher for the coarse, medium and fine gradations respectively, than for untreated soil specimens at T=0
(Figures 3, 4, 5).

4. Improvement with TerraZyme treatment may require up at least 4 weeks to fully develop. For In this
investigation relatively small improvement was observed one week after treatment, but significant
improvement occurred by weeks 4 and 14. This Study confirms that any meaningful laboratory or field
evaluations of TerraZyme effects need to be measured after several weeks of “curing” rather than
immediately after compaction.

References

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (1997). Annual Book of ASTM Standards,
Vol. 4.08 Soil and Rock: Building Stones, Philadelphia, Penn., 1189 p.

Scholen, D.E., (1992) “Non-Standard Stabilizers”, Report No. FHWA-FLP-92-011, US. Dept. o
Transportation. Washington, D.C.

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 APPENDIX

Table 5 Summary of CBR testing of coarse -gradation (15% fines)

Time after CBR values for Treated Specimens

Compaction
#1 #2 #3 Avg.
0 week 44% 43% 63% 50%
1 week 69% 61% -- 65%
4 weeks 83% 140% 157% 127%
14 weeks 100% 131% 144% 125%

Table 6 Summary of CBR testing of medium-gradation (24% fines) .

Time after CBR values for Treated Specimens

Compaction
#1 #2 #3 Avg.
0 week 22% 36% 30% 29%
1 week 37% 44% -- 41%
4 weeks 71% 74% 76% 74%
14 weeks 101% 107% 131% 113%

Table 7 Summary of CBR testing of fine-gradation (40% fines)

Time after CBR values for Treated Specimens

Compaction
#1 #2 #3 Avg.
0 week 37% 36% 30% 34%
1 week 42% 46% -- 44%
4 weeks 104% 81% 133% 106%
14 weeks 109% 158% 146% 137%