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Abstract
Pavement construction tends to be relatively expensive in areas where subgrade soil is poor.
Improvement in the soil properties by replacement of the poor subgrade soil may not always be
an economical solution. Keeping this into consideration, an experimental study was carried out
on the given soil type to demonstrate an economical solution by stabilization of the subgrade soil
with mechanical stabilizers such as coarse aggregate of 10 mm size and stone dust. The effect of
stabilization on Maximum Dry Density (MDD), Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was investigated. The study revealed that on addition of
mechanical stabilizers with subgrade soil, the CBR value and MDD increased while OMC
decreased. IRC: 37-2012, the standard for the thickness design of flexible pavements in India,
specifies the use of select soil of minimum CBR 8.0% when traffic on the road is 450
commercial vehicles per day or higher. This desired value of CBR under soaked condition was
obtained by the addition of 30% stone dust, or 20% of 10 mm size coarse aggregate, or 10%
stone dust + 10% coarse aggregate of 10 mm size by dry weight of soil. It is found that the
stabilization with the addition of mechanical stabilizers is more economical as compared to total
replacement of sub grade soil with the borrowed soil.
Keywords: Mechanical stabilization, Maximum Dry Density, Optimum Moisture Content, CBR,
Cost Analysis.
1. Introduction
Due to rapid growth of population and industrialization there is tremendous increase in
construction activities including road pavements. Sometimes the existing soil may or may not be
sufficiently strong enough to withstand the load coming on it. Poor soils are
broadly disseminated around the world and have continuously been one of the causes of major
issue to structures built on them [1]. In order to overcome this problem ground improvement
techniques such as soil stabilization, soil reinforcement etc. can be used. Ground improvement
can be characterized as the method undertaken to increase parameters of shear strength and to
decrease compressibility of the soil [2]. Stabilization of soil is an important task to be done
before a construction is started because the damage caused by poor soil / expansive soil to
pavement structure is very severe. Mainly the methods used for soil stabilization are chemical
and mechanical to enhance the geotechnical properties of problematic soil. A
few mechanical strategies were proposed to enhance poor soil properties including imposing
surcharge, soil substitution, water content control, pre-wetting, stabilization by geosynthetics,
compaction control, thermal methods, and random soil treatment by artificial and natural fibers
[3-6]. Chemical techniques include adding materials such as lime [3,7,8], cement [9-11], fly ash
[12-14], waste products and/or industrial eco-friendly [15-18] to poor soils.
The improvement in the strength of mechanically stabilized soil has been studied by various
researchers on different soil types. Consistency limit, Standard compaction test and CBR test
were performed by adding 1% lime + 6% waste stone powder and it revealed that there was
positive effect on strength and CBR value [19]. A series of tests were performed and concluded
that addition of quarry dust increases shrinkage limit, maximum dry density, angle of internal
friction and decreases liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, optimum moisture content and
cohesion of poor soil [20]. Plasticity, compaction and strength tests were performed on gravel
soil with different percentages of stone dust and found that adding stone dust, reduced plasticity
characteristics and improved CBR of treated soil type. With inclusion of 25-35% of stone dust
makes the gravel soil meet the terms of MoRTH as sub-base material [21]. The impact of stone
dust on geotechnical properties of expansive soil were inspected and it has been concluded that
the CBR and MDD of expansive soils increases, Atterberg limits and optimum moisture content
decreases by adding stone dust, which in turn increases usefulness of soil as sub-grade material
for highways [22]. The effect of quarry dust was studied on compaction properties of clay. The
soil was replaced by quarry dust in the proportion of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40 and 50% by dry weight
of soil, based on this study they found that replacement of soil by 30% quarry dust is an optimum
mix and is recommended for use in construction [23]. In a laboratory based experimental study
by using coarse aggregates as a strengthening material mixed with untreated poor soil results in
the enhancement of CBR value. Since in areas where coarse aggregates are accessible in wealth
and getting of other strengthening material demonstrates to be uneconomical, the addition of
coarse aggregates will be an appropriate option [24]. Stamatopoulos and Christodoulias [25]
examined on the decrease of swell potential and increment in the strength of poor soils. Their
investigation based on laboratory soil stabilization, and the discoveries demonstrated that
swelling could be significantly decreased by basic mechanical stabilization. Al-RawasTaha [26]
conducted a comparative assessment of various additives widely used in the expansive soil
stabilization process. For example, the effectiveness of copper slag, cement bypass dust,
granulated blast furnace slag, and slag-cement were investigated in reducing expansive soil
plasticity and swelling potential. The soil was mixed with the stabilizers mentioned, ranging
from 3 to 9 % of the soil's dry weight. As a result, plasticity and swelling potential were reduced
at varying degrees by the stabilizers. It is worth noting that the copper slag could cause a
significant increase in the swelling potential of the samples treated. Seco et al. [27] examined
expansive soil stabilization utilizing both conventional and waste materials. That study presented
a poor soil stabilization laboratory investigation. It consists of both reducing swelling and
increasing soil strength after adding waste / by-product materials from industrial origin.
It is evident from the above literature review that various works have been performed relevant to
the stabilization of subgrade soil with various admixtures, including mechanical stabilizers. In
this paper, the results of a laboratory study conducted to understand the impact on Maximum Dry
Density (MDD), Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of
mechanical stabilizers of stone dust and coarse aggregate of nominal size 10 mm (separately and
collectively) along with their cost analysis in comparison to the replacement of subgrade soil by
borrowed soil have been presented.
2. Materials
From table 1 it is observed that soil samples selected for the study belong to clays of low
plasticity (CL), silts of low plasticity (ML) or CL-ML type. Fine grained soils (CL, type ML)
with their unpredictable performance in the presence of moisture are considered to be
problematic soil. A small change in the moisture content of this type of soil can lead to a
reduction in the shear strength associated with swelling, shrinking, settling, consolidation and
disruption due to vehicular traffic [31].
Table 2 Strength Properties of untreated soil types
Table 2 indicates that all the samples selected for the study have 4 days soaked CBR value less
than 8 % requiring their stabilization to increase their strenth so as to make the subgrade suitable
for high volume traffic road.
3. Experimental work
Compaction Tests
According to the current Ministry of Surface Transport [34], specification for road and bridge
works recommend that sub grade shall be compacted to 97% of dry density achieved with heavy
compaction. For Expressways, National Highways, Major District Roads and other heavily
trafficked roads, this density requirement is recommended. In other cases the sub grade should be
compacted to at least 97% of the standard density conforming to light compaction. In accordance
with this recommendation in the present study, Modified Proctor compaction tests were
conducted in accordance with this recommendation in the present study to study the influence of
compaction on unstable and stabilized soil. The MDD and OMC of untreated soil and all the
treated soil were obtained by Modified Proctor compaction tests [35].
2.02
untreated
2
10% Stone Dust
Dry Density (gm/cc)
2.02 Untreated
2 10% Stone Dust
Dry Density (gm/cc)
Dry Density(gm/cc)
20% Stone Dust
1.95 30% Stone Dust
1.9 10% Coarse Agg
20% Coarse Agg
1.85
10% SD+10%CA
1.8 10% SD+20%CA
1.75
0 5 10 15 20
Moisture Content (%)
2.02 Untreated
2 10% Stone Dust
Dry Density (gm/cc)
2.02
Untreated
2
10% Stone Dust
Dry Density(gm/cc)
1.98
20% Stone Dust
1.96 30% Stone Dust
1.94 10% Coarese Agg.
1.92 20% Coarse Agg.
1.9 10% SD+10% CA
1.88 10% SD+20% CA
1.86
0 5 10 15 20
Moisture Content (%)
300
250 untreated
10% SD
200
20% SD
Load (kg)
150 30% SD
10% CA
100
20% CA
50 10%SD+10%CA
10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
300
250 untreated
10% Sd
200
20% SD
Load (kg)
150 30% SD
10% CA
100 20% CA
10%SD+10%CA
50 10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
250
untreated
Load (kg) 200 10% Sd
20% SD
150 30% SD
10% CA
100
20% CA
50 10%SD+10%CA
10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
300
250 untreated
10% Sd
200
20% SD
Load (kg)
150 30% SD
10% CA
100 20% CA
10%SD+10%CA
50
10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
300
250 untreated
10% Sd
200
Load (kg)
20% SD
150 30% SD
10% CA
100 20% CA
10%SD+10%CA
50
10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
250
untreated
Load (kg) 200 10% Sd
20% SD
150 30% SD
10% CA
100 20% CA
10%SD+10%CA
50
10%SD+20%CA
0
0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15
Penetration (mm)
5. Cost Analysis
Table 5 Cost of Material Used per km of Road Length for Various Options
2.5
2
Cost (Lacs)
1.5
0.5
0
whole soil 30 % stone 20 % coarse 10%SD + 10%SD +
replacement dust agg. 10%CA 20%CA
Mix Proportion Type
6. Conclusions
The experiments conducted show favorable results as the inclusion of stone dust and coarse
aggregates enhances the soil CBR value. The following findings are drawn from this study:
i. With the addition of stone dust and coarse aggregate, the MDD value of the soil types
tested in the study is found to increase as OMC decreases.
ii. Mechanical stabilizers in the form of stone dust (10%, 20% and 30% by dry weight of
soil), coarse aggregates (10% and 20% by dry weight of soil) and in mix proportion
(10% stone dust + 10% coarse aggregates and 10% stone dust + 20% coarse
aggregates), increase the CBR value of the soil types considered in the study.
iii. The CBR value increases significantly and desired value of minimum CBR of 8%
under soaked condition is obtained by adding to the soil 30% of stone dust, or 20% of
10mm size coarse aggregates, or with mix proportion of 10% stone dust + 10% coarse
aggregates and 10% stone dust + 20% coarse aggregates.
iv. Using 20 % coarse aggregate by dry weight of soil is the most economical approach
for stabilization of this particular soil type.
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