SUBBASE TREATMENT USING EMC2 SOIL STABILIZER

The experimental feature test site described in this report was completed in 1996 as part of the Alaska Highway MP 1222-North construction project. It consisted of a road section (1985-ft long) where a proprietary organic stabilizing agent, EMC2, was used to stabilize the subbase layer. This test section was adjacent to a normally constructed control section (3295-ft long). Except for rotomilling EMC2 into the top of subbase, workers constructed the test and control sections using the same methods and materials. In spring 1997, visual inspection of the research site showed like-new condition, except for one thermal crack. According to the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) deflection data taken in spring 1997, the EMC2 section appeared to be a problem. The control section appeared to exhibit about 2.2 times the service life potential of the EMC2 section. The EMC2 seems to have softened the subbase layer. In the summer of 2001, backcalculation of moduli using FWD deflection data revealed that the unstabilized subbase in the control section is about 30% stiffer than the EMC2 stabilized subbase. Therefore, it was found that the use of this particular additive in the subbase did not improve the structural performance of this experimental roadway section (covered with an asphalt surface treatment in the form of a high float surfacing). It might also be possible that the control section contains undisturbed sublayers of asphalt concrete, which could act as subgrade reinforcement, actually strengthening the section.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/fhwa_ak_rd_02_08.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  2301 Peger Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99701
• Authors:
  • Saboundjian, S S
• Publication Date: 2002-10-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Asphalt concrete; Backcalculation; Deflection; Experimental roads; Falling weight deflectometers; Service life; Stabilizers; Stiffness; Subbase (Pavements); Surface treating; Test sections
• Identifier Terms: EMC2
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rotomill
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00942279
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AK-RD-02-08
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 6 2003 12:00AM