Analysis of the Effectiveness of the New Generation of Additives in Improving Physical and Mechanical Properties of Highway Subgrades

Abstract

At present, the introduction of only organic or inorganic binder is not always sufficient for the practical application of stabilized soils. The research investigated the effect of the stabilizing additives Chimston, Baustab and Dorstab on changing a number of parameters over time, such as: average density, water saturation, ultimate compression and tensile strength, and frost resistance. All the researched parameters were determined at intermediate and target age — 7, 14 and 28 days respectively. Tests to assess the effectiveness of various stabilizing additives in strengthening loamy soil have shown the feasibility of using Baustab and Chimston-3 additives (in the dosage of 2%). Introduction of additives into the soil composition allowed obtaining soil with high strength characteristics and higher frost resistance as compared to the control composition. Composition No.2 has the compressive strength of 5.1 MPa and the tensile strength of 1.6 MPa. Composition No.7 has the limit of compression strength of 5.4 MPa, and the limit of tensile strength of 1.27 MPa. Thus, both compositions have the strength grade M40. Such soil will be subject to minimal subsidence and loss of strength.