RESEARCH ARTICLE | JULY 21 2023

Soil stabilization with fly ash and epoxy resin to the

subgrade construction on Irrigasi street, in Palembang 
Ani Firda; Dimitri Yulianti 

AIP Conference Proceedings 2689, 040011 (2023)

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0130346

CrossMark

 
View Export
Online Citation

26 July 2023 01:09:07

 Soil Stabilization with Fly Ash and Epoxy Resin to The
Subgrade Construction on Irrigasi Street, in Palembang
Ani Firdaa) and Dimitri Yuliantib)

Faculty of Civil, Universitas Tridinanti Palembang, Palembang, South Sumatera - Indonesia

a)
ani.firda@gmail.com
b)
Corresponding author: dimitrii.yulianti@gmail.com

Abstract. Roadway has a very important role in facilitating the flow of goods, services and accelerating communication
between regions. The need for attention in looking at the factors that affect the function of road construction, such as the
nature of the subgrade, by prioritizing road pavement so that the highway itself can function as expected. The subgrade is
the lowest layer of soil that lays the pavement layer and supports the road pavement construction above it. The subgrade
can be compacted native soil if the original soil is good. Every year, the volume of vehicles increases, impacting road
damage on Irigasi Street in Palembang. It can be done in various ways to overcome the construction damage, including
pre-loading, drainage improvement, compaction, chemical stabilization, mechanical stabilization, and others. The method
used in this study is chemical stabilization by improving the condition of the soil that has been mixed with the original soil

26 July 2023 01:09:07

and a stabilizing agent in the form of a mixture of fly ash and epoxy resin. One solution that can be applied to overcome
these problems is to add fly ash obtained from PT. PUSRI waste and a mixture of epoxy resin on Irigasi Street, with the
addition of variations of fly ash 10%, 15%, and epoxy resin by 25%. The tests on the research method are Soil Properties,
Sieve Analysis, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor test, CBR test, and Triaxial test. The optimum CBR value can be
obtained by adding 10% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin, while the addition of 15% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin will make
the CBR value decrease, but this value is still above the original soil CBR value. The results of this triaxial test can be seen
from the value of cohesion and shear angle on Irigasi Street in Palembang.

INTRODUCTION

Background

Soil is a crucial element in road construction, where soil supports the upper structure. Problems that are often faced
in overcoming poor subgrade in construction include [1]—the existence of very contrasting shrink and swell properties
due to changes in water content [2]. Intrusion/entry of water and pumping occurs at joints, cracks, and plate edges due
to traffic load pressure [3], uneven bearing capacity, and difficulty determining with certainty soil variations of
different nature and level or as a result of implementation [4]. Additional compaction due to traffic loading and
settlement caused by coarse-grained soil not compacted properly [5].
Overcoming construction damage can be done in various ways, including pre-loading, drainage improvement,
compaction, chemical stabilization, mechanical stabilization, and many more. In this research, a chemical stabilization
method is used to improve the subgrade condition by mixing the original soil with a stabilizing agent in a mixture of
fly ash and epoxy resin.
The solid waste product from coal processing called fly ash fly ash has several advantages and disadvantages. The
advantages obtained are coal as an alternative to substitute resources such as oil, and the disadvantage is that the waste
generated by coal causes air pollution around the factory. One of them is a factory that produces fly ash relatively high
in the Palembang area, PT. Pupuk Sriwijaya. The utilization of coal waste (fly ash) will significantly assist government
programs in overcoming environmental pollution and soil stabilization material for road construction on technically
problematic lands. According to the design life, roads, buildings, and other constructions will last long if supported
by a good subgrade.

Toward Adaptive Research and Technology Development for Future Life

AIP Conf. Proc. 2689, 040011-1–040011-10; https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0130346
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-4470-6/$30.00

040011-1
 Based on the background above, the problem was how to improve soil stabilization by adding fly ash and a mixture
of epoxy resin to the subgrade construction on Irigasi Street, in Palembang, in terms of the cohesion value and shear
angle that will be obtained from the triaxial test.

Research Purpose

The purpose of this research is to improve soil stabilization by adding fly ash and a mixture of epoxy resin to the
subgrade construction on Irigasi Street, in Palembang, in terms of the cohesion value and shear angle that will be
obtained from the triaxial test.

Problem Formulation

Based on the background above, the researcher is interested in making problems formulation in this study to
observe how much the optimum levels of fly ash and epoxy resin in soil stabilization. Thus, the limitation of the
problem is carried out with the following matters:
1. Location on Irrigation Street, Sukamulya district, Sematang Borang, Palembang. At STA 1 ± 300 and at STA
2 ± 750 along 1.8 kilometers.
2. Stabilization materials used are fly ash 10%, 15%, and epoxy resin 25%

LITERATURE REVIEW

Soil Classification

Soil classification is the grouping of various types of soil into groups according to their characteristics. Soil
classification divides the soil with similar conditions and properties given the same symbol and name. There are two

26 July 2023 01:09:07

classification systems commonly used in engineering, namely the AASHTO and USCS classification systems.
Classification System of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the
AASHTO classification system helps determine soil quality for roadworks, namely subbase and subgrade. Since this
system is intended for roadworks, its use in practice must be considered against its original intent and purpose. This
system divides the soil into seven main groups, namely A-1 to A-7. A-1, A-2, and A-3 are granular soils where 35%
or less than the number of soil grains pass the sieve at No.200. More than 35% of the soil grains pass through sieve
No.200, classified A-4, A-5 A-6, and A-7. The grains in groups A-4 to A-7 are mostly silt and clay.

TABLE 1. Soil Classification (AASHTO System)

Silt-clay soil (more than 35 % from
General Granulated soil (35 or less than the overall soil sample pass
the overall soil sample pass the
Classification the No.200 sieve)
No.200 sieve)
A-1 A2 A-7
Classification
A3 A4 A5 A6 A-7-5*
group A-1a A-1b A-2-4 A-2-5 A-2-6 A-2-7
A-7-6**
Sieve
Analysis
(% Passing)
No. 10 ≤50 - - - - - - - - - -
No. 40 ≤30 ≤50 ≤51 - - - - - - - -
No. 200 ≤15 ≤25 ≤10 ≤35 ≤35 ≤35 ≤35 ≥36 ≥36 ≥36 ≥36
Fraction
behaviour
that passes
sieve no. 40
Liquid Limit
- - ≤41 ≥41 ≤40 ≥40 ≤40 ≤41 ≤40 ≥40
(LL)
Plasticity
≤6 NP ≤10 ≤10 ≥11 ≥11 ≤10 ≤10 ≥11 ≥11
Index (PI)

040011-2
 Silt-clay soil (more than 35 % from
General Granulated soil (35 or less than the overall soil sample pass
the overall soil sample pass the
Classification the No.200 sieve)
No.200 sieve)
The dominant Crushed
Fine
type of stone, gravel, Gravel and sand with silt or clay Silty soil Clay soil
Sand
material and sand
Evaluation as
base soil Very good - good Medium - bad
material
Information * for A-7-5, PI≤LL - 30
* for A-7-6, PI>LL - 30
Source: Das, 1995

Soil Classification System Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). Casagrande originally introduced this
classification in 1942 for use in airfield construction work [4]. In this system, in general, three major groups of topsoils
are distinguished, namely:
1. Coarse-grained soil, less than 50% passing the sieve No. 200, i.e., gravel and sandy soil. The symbol for this
group starts with the initial G for gravel or gravel soil and S for sand or sandy soil.
2. Fine-grained soil, more than 50% passing the sieve No. 200, i.e., silty and loamy soil.
3. Organic soil (Peat) can be determined in the laboratory if the difference in the liquid limit of the soil that has
not been oven-baked and that has been oven-baked is > 25%. Other symbols used for classification are W –
well-graded, P – poor graded, L – low plasticity, and H – high plasticity.

Swampland

26 July 2023 01:09:07

Swampland is a land that is constantly inundated throughout the year and is located between land and water. Tidal
swamps are divided into saltwater tides and freshwater tides: 1. Saltwater tides are in the Zone 1 position. It tends to
be salty, both at high and low tides, during the rainy and dry seasons. Mangroves usually dominate this zone. 2.
Freshwater tides are in Zone 2. This area has a tidal current strength more significant than the sea or equal to the
strength of the water currents from the upstream river. In this area, the daily tidal movement is still visible. Only the
water is dominated by freshwater from the river itself.

Soil Stabilization

Soil stabilization is an alternative that can be taken to improve the existing soil properties. In principle, soil
stabilization is a rearrangement of soil grains to make them more dense and interlocking. The soil is made stable to
support the planned load, and no settlement exceeds the allowable settlement. At a minimum, the subgrade must be
passable by project vehicles. Soil stabilization is an effort to increase the stability and carrying capacity of the soil.
According to Bowles [3], if the soil contained in the field is very loose or easily compressed or has an inappropriate
consistency index, permeability is too high, or other undesirable properties that are not suitable for a development
project, then the soil is must be stabilized. The purpose of the soil improvement is to obtain a stable subgrade in all
conditions. Stabilization efforts are carried out only as necessary, meaning that it is not economically profitable to
make a part of the construction that is stronger than necessary.

Swampland Stabilization using Fly Ash

Fly ash is the remaining part of coal combustion, which has a high silica content for concrete mixtures. Fly ash is
a pozzolanic material, which is a material containing silica compounds, which do not have binding properties like
cement but are in a smooth form. A study on replacing sand with fly ash in concrete. Concrete containing fly ash in
place of some of the sand will increase long-term strength. Each category was compared with percentages of fly ash
20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by weight of sand. Sand turnover of up to 50% is high for parts of concrete work. A
study on the effect of replacing fine aggregate with fly ash on rheological properties, stress strength, and carbonation
properties was conducted with variations in the water-cement (fas) factor of 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5, where the sand was
replaced by fly ash with levels of 25% and 50%. The results show that the rheological properties increase with the

040011-3
replacement of sand with fly ash. When the water-cement (fas) value remains constant, the strength and carbonation
properties also increase.

Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a thermoset polymer that is widely used as an ingredient in the manufacture of composites. The
advantages of epoxy resin are its resistance to heat and moisture, good mechanical properties in resisting chemicals,
insulating properties, good adhesive properties against various materials, and easy processing.
Resin is a material that is a liquid at room temperature or in the form of a solid material that will melt at
temperatures above 200°C. Resin can be divided into 2 (two) parts, namely:
1. Thermoset Resin. Thermoset resin will harden when heated, but if heated further, it will not soften, or the
hardening process is irreversible. Thermosets cannot follow temperature changes (irreversible).
Thermoplastic resin.
2. Thermoplastic resins. Thermoplastic resins are resins that soften when heated and harden when cooled, or it
can be said that the hardening process is reversible.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research was carried out through several steps, starting from the preparation step, checking the quality of the
material (in the form of native soil and fly ash), the planning step of the mixture, to the step of carrying out testing in
the laboratory. The tests on the research method are Soil Properties, Sieve Analysis, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor
test, CBR test, and Triaxial test.

26 July 2023 01:09:07

040011-4
 26 July 2023 01:09:07
FIGURE 1. Research Flowchart

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Soil Material Testing

Soil material testing in each test was carried out with two samples for two STA. There are two samples for each
test. The test was moisture content, specific gravity, bulk density, Atterberg limits, Sieve Analysis, and Soil Properties
to obtain Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), which are then used for CBR testing.
The recapitulation of soil physical properties testing can be seen in Table 1 below.

TABLE 2. Recapitulation of soil material

Parameter Unit STA 1 STA 2
Moisture
% 36,59 46,58
content
Density 1.79 1,73
Filled weight gr/cm3 1,619 1,119
Sieve Analysis
No. 3/8’ % 100 100
No. 4 % 99,63 99,78
No. 10 % 51,72 64,52

040011-5
 Parameter Unit STA 1 STA 2
No. 20 % 26,48 33,42
No. 40 % 10,73 14,32
No. 60 % 3,39 5,07
No. 100 % 1,91 3,20
No. 200 % 0,61 1,47
Consistency Limit
Liquid Limit
% 48 54
(LL)
Plasticity Limit
% 35,02 39,96
(PL)
Plasticity
% 12,98 14,04
Index (PI)
Standard Proctor
MDD gr/cm3 1,32 1,34
OMC % 19,52 21,54

CBR Testing

CBR testing was carried out with CBR Unsoaked treatment. CBR Unsoaked was done by adding additives to the
soil sample with a percentage of 0% + fly ash + a mixture of epoxy resin with an additional percentage of 10% and
15% for fly ash to the percentage of soil weight, while for epoxy resin the percentage addition was 25% to a percentage
of soil weight.

26 July 2023 01:09:07

The soil is directly mixed with fly ash and epoxy resin that has been mixed before. After everything is well mixed,
then printed on the Mold CBR with the amount of 3 layers, and each layer was pounded 56 times. The effect of adding
fly ash can be seen in Table 3 and Fig. 2 below.

TABLE 3. CBR Test Value of Mixed Variations at STA 1 and STA 2

Variation of mixing percentage
No CBR Test
FA 0% + EP 0% FA 10% + EP 25% FA 10% + EP 25%
1 CBR Value (%) STA 1 8,2 11,84 10,67
2 CBR Value (%) STA 2 7,89 11,27 9,87

14
11.84
12 11.27
10.67
9.87
10
CBR Value ( %)

8.2 7.89
8

6 STA 1
STA 2
4

0
0 10 15
Percentage of addition of fly ash and epoxy resin 25 %

FIGURE 2. Comparison Graph of CBR Values at STA 1 and STA 2 with the Percentage of Addition of Fly Ash and Epoxy
Resin

040011-6
 With the addition of 0% fly ash and 0% epoxy resin mixture, the CBR value in STA 1 was 8.2% and at STA 2 was
7.89%, so the difference was 0.31%. And then, 10% fly ash and a mixture of epoxy resin were added. 25% obtained
the CBR value in STA 1, which is 11.84%, and in STA 2, which is 11.27 %, the difference was 0.57%. Furthermore,
the last step is adding 15% fly ash and a mixture of 25% epoxy resin obtained CBR value in STA 1, which is 10.67%,
and in STA 2, which is 9.87%, so the difference was 0.8%. From Fig. 2 above, it can be analyzed that the addition of
10% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin mixture is the optimum value.

Triaxial Testing

In this test, the values of cohesion and internal shear angle were obtained in the soil sample. The data obtained can
be seen below. The triaxial test results on STA 1 are shown in Tables 4 and 5 and Fig. 3 below.

TABLE 4. Results of TRIAXIAL TEST at STA 1

Cell Pressure 0.5 1 1.5
Wet Soil Weight 113 112 112
Dry Soil Weight 73 73 72
Water Content 54.8 53.4 55.6

Pressure Pressure Pressure

ΔL e A' σ1'- σ3' σ1'- σ3' σ1'- σ3'
Gauge Gauge Gauge

0.1 0.0143 9.7391 3 0.3080 4 0.4107 5 0.5134

0.2 0.0286 9.8824 3.5 0.3542 5 0.5060 7 0.7083
0.3 0.0429 10.0299 4 0.3988 5.5 0.5484 8 0.7976

26 July 2023 01:09:07

0.4 0.0571 10.1818 6 0.5893 6 0.5893 8.5 0.8348
0.5 0.0714 10.3385 6 0.5804 7.5 0.7254 9 0.8705
0.6 0.0857 10.5000 6 0.5714 7.5 0.7143 9 0.8571
0.7 0.1000 10.6667 7.5 0.7031 9 0.8438

TABLE 5. Calculation of Mohr's Circle at STA 1

σ3 σ1-σ3 σ1 X Y
(kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2)
0.50 0.589 1.089 0.7945 0.2945
1.00 0.725 1.725 1.3625 0.3625
1.50 0.87 2.37 1.935 0.435

040011-7
 2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5

Principal stress kg/cm2

FIGURE 3. Mohr's Graph at STA 1

From these tables and graphs, the straight line to determine cohesion and shear angle:

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 (1)

while the points of intersection obtained are: x1 = 0.7945, x2 = 1.935, y1 = 0.295, y2 = 0.435. By using the equation of

26 July 2023 01:09:07

a straight line:

𝑦 − 𝑦1 𝑥 − 𝑥1
= (2)
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 𝑥2 − 𝑥1

Obtained the equation of a straight line: y = 0.122x + 0.197. Then, using Equation 1, wherein the shear angle is ATan
(0.122), obtained the value of the shear angle (θ)= 7° and to find the value of cohesion, equation two is used where
the cohesion is c = y-mx. Furthermore, the value of cohesion (c) is 0.197 kg/cm 2. The Triaxial test results on STA 2
are shown in Tables 6 and 7 and Fig. 4 below.

TABLE 6. Results of Triaxial Test at STA 2

Cell Pressure z 1 1.5
Wet Soil Weight 100 113 114
Dry Soil Weight 61.5 71 71
Water Content 62.6 59.15 60.56

Pressure Pressure Pressure

ΔL e A' s1'- s3' s1'- s3' s1'- s3'
Gauge Gauge Gauge

0.1 0.0143 9.7391 2 0.20536 3.5 0.35938 2 0.20536

0.2 0.0286 9.8824 2.5 0.25298 5 0.50595 5 0.50595
0.3 0.0429 10.0299 4 0.39881 6 0.59821 5.5 0.54836
0.4 0.0571 10.1818 5.5 0.54018 7 0.68750 6 0.58929
0.5 0.0714 10.3385 5.5 0.53199 7 0.67708 8 0.77381
0.6 0.0857 10.5000 5.5 0.52381 7 0.66667 8 0.76190
0.7 0.1000 10.6667 8 0.75

040011-8
 TABLE 7. Calculation of Mohr's Circle at STA 2
σ3 σ1-σ3 σ1 X Y
(kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2) (kg/cm2)
0.50 0.54 1.04 0.77 0.27
1.00 0.6875 1.688 1.344 0.344
1.50 0.773 2.27 1.8865 0.3865

26 July 2023 01:09:07

FIGURE 4. Mohr's graph for soil at STA 2

From these tables and graphs, the straight line to determine cohesion and shear angle using Equation 1 while the
points of intersection obtained are: x1 = 0.77, x2 = 1.866, y1 = 0.27, y2 = 0.3865. Using the equation of a straight line
using Equation 2, the equation of a straight line is obtained: y = 0.105x + 0.118. Then, using equation 1, wherein the
shear angle is aTan (0.105), obtained the value of the shear angle (θ)= 6° and to find the value of cohesion using
equation two long, then the cohesion is C = y-mx. Then, the value of cohesion (c) is 0.118 kg/cm 2.

FIGURE 5. Mohr graph of the comparison of STA 1 and STA 2

040011-9
 From this test, the value of cohesion (c) at STA 1 is 0.197 kg/cm2 and the STA 2 is 0.118 kg/cm2 with the difference
was 0.079 kg/cm2. The value of the shear angle (θ) at STA 1 is 7° and at STA 2 is 6°, with the value difference being
1° and also can be seen in Fig. 5.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

The CBR test at STA 1 is 8.2% of the soil. With the addition of 10% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin mixture, the
CBR value increased to 11.84%, and with the addition of 15% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin mixture, the CBR value
decreased. However, the value was still above the original soil CBR value is 10.67%. The CBR value in STA 2 is
7.8% of the soil. With the addition of 10% fly ash and 25% epoxy resin mixture, the CBR value decreased, but the
value was still above the original soil CBR value, which was 9.87%. From the test results, the value of cohesion (c) at
STA 1 is 0.197 kg/cm2 and at STA 2 is 0.118 kg/cm2. The shear angle (θ) value is obtained at STA 1 of 7° and STA
2 of 6°.
Suggestions needed to add time variations (setting time) between the process of mixing soil, fly ash, epoxy resin
mixture using CBR test

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author would like to thank the agencies/companies/institutions that have supported the implementation of
research and writing articles.

REFERENCES
1. Aashto. Design of Pavement Structures, 1993. Vol. 1. Level 1. Aashto. Washington, DC: American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; 1993. 63–70 p.

26 July 2023 01:09:07

2. Rock ACD-18 on S and. Standard test method for unconsolidated-undrained triaxial compression test on
cohesive soils. ASTM International; 2007.
3. Bowles JEJKH. Sifat-sifat Fisis dan Geoteknis Tanah (Mekanika Tanah). Jakarta; 2010.
4. Das BM. Mekanika Tanah (Prinsip-prinsip Rekayasa Geoteknis) Jilid I. 1st ed. Jakarta; 1995.
5. Latif DO, Prawoto H. The effect of epoxy resin and cement on soil and pile interface friction in direct shear.
J Appl Eng Sci. 2019;17(2):163–7.

040011-10