EXPERIMENTAL FIELD PROJECT ON BITUMINOUS STABILIZATION OF SILTY SOILS

During the summer of 1965, a test road was constructed in southeastern Minnesota. The subgrade of this road is a silty soil typical of the area and similar to soils which have been extensively studied in the University of Minnesota laboratories. The test road is 8000 feet in length and contains eight 1000-foot test sections. Two of the sections are for control and were not stabilized while the other six were stabilized with 6% or 9% of RT-6 on with 9% of MC-2. In all cases, the upper six inches of the subgrade was stabilized and then covered with three or five inches of base and two inches of surfacing. A comprehensive sampling program was carried out to permit more detailed analysis of the test road performance. This began with sampling of the unstabilized subgrade for determination of soil properties. These samples indicated soil variations which must be considered in future evaluation. As the subgrade was stabilized, stabilometer specimens were molded in the field and tested after appropriate curing and conditioning treatments. Other specimens were stabilized in the laboratory at comparable moisture and bitumen contents. The results of these sampling and testing programs are used to compare the various test sections. These comparisons show tendencies but final conclusion must be withheld until they are substantiated through service. The final evaluation of the test road will require additional testing over a period of years. This evaluation will have to consider effect of traffic, frost action, soil moisture, etc. Provisions have been made for the Materials and Research Division of the Minnesota Department of Highways to make field measurements and observations at periodic intervals for this purpose. A final report after this more extensive investigation should prove of great value in future stabilization projects.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

  Minneapolis, MN  United States  55455
• Authors:
  • Kersten, M S
  • Pederson, L
• Publication Date: 1966-4

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bitumen; Bituminous materials; Hveem stabilometer; Moisture content; Properties of materials; Silty sands; Soil stabilization; Soils; Subgrade (Pavements); Test sections
• Uncontrolled Terms: Soil properties
• Old TRIS Terms: Bituminous stabilization; Stabilometers
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00263489
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Investigation #621
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 19 1974 12:00AM