Pavement Subgrade Stabilization Using Polymers: Characterization and Performance

• Published in: Journal of materials in civil engineering Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 472 - 483
• Main Authors: Iyengar, Srinath R, Masad, Eyad, Rodriguez, Ana K, Bazzi, Hassan S, Little, Dallas, Hanley, Howard J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Binders; Buildings. Public works; Compressive strength; Earthworks. Foundations. Roadbases; Exact sciences and technology; Geotechnics; Pavements; Portland cements; Road construction. Pavements. Maintenance; Soil mechanics; Soil stabilization; Stabilization; Stabilization. Consolidation; Technical Papers; Traffic flow; Transportation infrastructure; Asia; Qatar; Middle east; Performance evaluation; Scanning electron microscopy; Elastic modulus; Subgrade; Polymer stabilizer; Stress strain relation; Pavement; Pavements; Polymer; ME-PDG program; Experimental study; Binders; Subgrades; Mechanical test; Middle East; Soil stabilization; Pavement analysis; Qatar; Pavement performance; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0899-1561; 1943-5533
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000612

AbstractThis paper reports a laboratory investigation aimed at evaluating the potential of polymer binders to stabilize pavement subgrades in Qatar. The conclusions regarding the impact of the polymer stabilizers are based on comparisons with selected physical, chemical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of natural Qatari subgrade soil and soils stabilized with the traditional standard, portland cement (PC). The results demonstrate that the polymer binders modify the Qatari subgrade soils resulting in more favorable engineering properties: for example, the compressive strengths of the polymer-stabilized soils are superior to those of the unstabilized soils and those stabilized using PC. The mechanical properties of the stabilized and unstabilized soils were incorporated in the analysis of asphalt pavement sections using the state-of-the-art protocol for pavement design and analysis. Results of the analysis further demonstrated the benefits of using stabilized subgrade soils in improving pavement performance. Of particular practical importance is that polymer subgrade stabilization significantly reduces subgrade rutting. Consequently, polymer subgrade stabilization is a key consideration for perpetual pavements, especially considering the extremely high truck traffic in Qatar. Although the work reported in this paper was carried out with Qatari soil, the results are expected to be relevant to other types of soil and weather conditions experienced throughout the Middle East and in similar climates throughout the world.