CHAPTER 5

SOIL AND BASE

STABILIZATION
 The Improvement of Soil Engineering Properties
by the Addition of Additives or mechanical
means so that the Soil Can Effectively Serve its
Function in the Construction and Life of a
Pavement.
Reasons To Stabilize

 Use Locally Available Materials

 Improve Engineering Properties of In-Situ Soils
(Strength, Waterproof)
 Conserve Higher Quality Material
 Conserve Energy (Oil Crisis)
 Recycle Existing Pavements/Bases
 Improve Durability
 Reduce Thickness of Pavement
 Facilitate Construction
Stabilization and modification

 Stabilization -Permanently Improve Engineering

Properties
 Modification -Temporarily Improve Engineering
Properties
Materials Used

 Lime
• which is used to describe calcium oxide (CaO) - quick lime; calcium
hydroxide Ca(OH)2 hydrated lime, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
• improve both workability and strength.
 Portland Cement
• Cement is an effective stabilizing agent applicable to a wide range of soils
and situations.
• Reduces the moisture susceptibility of soils:- cement binds the particles greatly
• Reduces moisture induced volume change (shrinkage and swell)
• Improve strength stability under variable moisture, and
• Increase inter-particle bond b/n granular materials
• Cement-stabilised is done, if the soil has a maximum grain size less than 75
mm, percents passing and retained 0.075 mm sieve is less than 35 %, and liquid
and plastic limits less than 50 and 25 respectively.
 Asphalt (Emulsions)
 Is used with non- cohesive granular materials
 Bitumen adds cohesive strength
1. Soil-bitumen: this is a mixture of cohesive soil and bitumen for
waterproofing purposes
2. Sand bitumen: sands such as beach, river, pit, or existing roadway sand
may be stabilized with bitumen
3. Waterproofed granular stabilization:- waterproofed by uniform
distribution of small amount (1-2 %) of bitumen.
Stabilizer Selection

 Soil Stabilization Index System

 Perform Sieve Analysis
 Perform Atterberg Limits
 Liquid limit (AASHTO T89): the minimum water content at which the soil will start to
flow under the application of a standard shearing force (dynamic loading).
 Plastic limit (AASHTO T90): the moisture content at which the soil begins to fracture
when rolled into a 3mm diameter thread.
 Plasticity index (PI=LL-PL) is the numerical difference between the liquid and plastic
limits.

 See Chart
General Use

 Lime
 High PI Soils (Usually >10)
 2% For Modification (Percent By Weight)
 3-6% For Stabilization
 Portland Cement
 PI : 10-30
 3-7% For Coarse Grained Material
 6-15% For Fine Grained Material
 Asphalt
 PI < 10 (Sands)
 2-4% For Coarse Grained Material
 4-6% For Fine Grained Material
Percent Lime
Percent Cement
Mix Designs

 Perform Detailed Mix Design

 Consider
 Workability
 Strength
 Durability
 Volume Sensitivity
 Swelling, Shrinkage
 Construction
 In-Place (Most Common)
 Central Plant (Asphalt Only)
 In-Place Procedure
1. Preparation by Pulverization
2. Apply Stabilizer
3. Add Water if Needed
4. Mix
5. Compact
6. Cure
Central Plant Procedure

 Remove Materials
 Prepare Remaining Soil
 Mix Material in the Plant
 Place and Compact
 Cure
Field Control

 In-Place Density Usually Employed for QC/QA

Purposes.
 Density/Moisture Relationship of Stabilized
Materials Changes with Curing Time and Stabilizer
Content.
Field Control