PRE-TREATMENT TESTING

Prior to requesting a sample of CANTECH RP. Plus, we request that the following tests
be done on the soil.

1) Hydrometer Particle Size Analysis, ASTM D422. To determine the percentage of

clay in the soil sample. (Should be >15%)

2) pH of Soil, ASTM D4972. To determine the acidity and/or the alkalinity. The pH
determines the rate of reaction between the stabilizer and the clay. CANTECH
RP. Plus works best if the pH is less than <8.0.

3) Determine the cation exchange capacity using Methylene Blue adsorption. The
cation exchange capacity can also be determined by other means by a chemist.
(Should be >15meq/100g).

If the above tests are positive, treatment with CANTECH RP. Plus is feasible.

POST TREATMENT TESTING

To determine the improvement in soil characteristics, perform the following tests on a

treated and a non-treated sample.

4) Atterberg Limits, ASTM D423 and ASTM D424. To determine the plastic limit, the
liquid limit and from those the Plasticity Index (PI).

5) Standard Proctor, ASTM D698. To determine the maximum density and optimum
moisture content.

6) California Bearing Ratio (CBR), ASTM D1883.

Note: Allow the CBR specimens to cure for thirty (30) days prior to testing.
This last test should only be done if, despite all positive indications, the treatment does
not work.

7) X-Ray Diffraction. To determine the type of clays in the sample.

TEST SPECIMENS PREPARATION

1. Take a sample of oven dried soil equal to one one-hundredth (1/100) of the
Maximum Dry Density (MDD)

2 Calculate the amount of water required to bring the dry soil sample to Optimum
Moisture Content (OMC). (MDD x OMC% / 100)

3 Add water to the dry soil sample and mix thoroughly. To ensure proper mixing it
might be necessary to cover the sample and re-mix every day for about a week.

4 Divide the sample into two equal portions. Each part is now one two-hundredth
(1/200) of the Maximum Wet Density.

5 Prepare two water samples equal to the amount of water required to bring each
samples up to 1.5% above optimum. (MDD x 1.5% / 200 )

6 Add one millilitre (0.001 litre) of CANTECH RP. Plus to one of the water samples.

Note: 0.2 liter (200 millilitres) of CANTECH RP. Plus is required per cubic meter.
The sample being one two-hundredth (1/200) of a cubic meter therefore requires
only one millilitre. ( A syringe comes in handy at this point. )

7 Add the CANTECH RP. Plus / water mixture to one of the soil samples obtained
in step four. The other water sample gets added to the other soil sample.

8 Stir and mix thoroughly. Let stand for about half an hour and mix again. Mix the
soil samples this way about six times at half hour intervals.

Note: This procedure not only guarantees proper mixing but it also approximates the
mixing during actual application.

9. Prepare both CBR moulds. Care should be taken so that the compaction of the
treated and the untreated sample are the same and at least 97%. The excess of
the treated sample should be used to conduct the other tests as outlined in the
“Post Treatment Testing”
10. The testing of the treated sample should not be done right away. Just like when
testing concrete, the treated sample(s) should be left to cure for a minimum of
thirty (30) days prior to testing to allow the chemicals to react with the clay.

Note: A thirty days curing may seem excessive. However, keep in mind that in the field
the treated soil is exposed to the weather and the kneading actions of traffic. This speeds
up the evaporation of the water displaced by the CANTECH RP. Plus chemicals. In the
laboratory, these factors are difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate.

The following procedural item depends on the curing environment. If the samples are
curing in an humid environment and therefore lose moisture slowly, this procedural item
can be deleted. If the sample is cured in a dry environment, follow the following
instructions.

1. While curing, the exposed surface should be kept moist by spraying with a
1 : 1000 CANTECH RP. Plus/water solution.

2. After thirty (30) days curing, perform the CBR and other tests. In the CBR test, in
addition to the penetration, note down the swelling of both samples.
EXAMPLE: Assuming Maximum Dry Density (MDD) 1468kg/m3

Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) 26.3%

1) Weight out a 14.68kg sample of the soil (1/100 of maximum dry density).

2. Add 3.8608 kilograms of water, which is the 26.3% moisture required to bring the
sample to OMC. (14.68 x 0.263)

3) Mix thoroughly

4) Weight out 9.270kg of the sample at OMC, obtained in step 3, keep remainder
for the untreated test.

Note: 9.270kg is 1/200 of one cubic meter of soil at OMC.

5) Weight out 110.1 grams of water. Add 1.12 grams of CANTECH RP. Plus
(1 millilitre) and mix thoroughly. (total 111.22 grams)

Note: When added to the sample in step 4, this liquid will increase the moisture content of the
sample to 1.515% above optimum.

6) Mix liquid thoroughly with the sample from step 4. Let stand for about half an
hour and mix again. Mix the sample this way about six times at half hour
intervals.

7) Add 111.22 grams water to the remaining half of the sample from step 4. Mixing
procedure should be the same as outlined in step 6.

8) Prepare both samples for CBR testing.

Note: Ensure that the weight and compaction of both samples are the same (97% or higher).

9) Wrap both CBR moulds with samples loosely in plastic or store in a room with
50% humidify and let cure for thirty (30) days. Any other tests to be done on the
treated sample should similarly be left to cure for thirty (30) days.
10) Perform CBR test on both samples.

 WARNING: CANTECH RP. Plus is slightly acidic. Wear gloves and goggles
when handling in undiluted form.