FORENSIC EVALUATION OF THE CEMENT TREATED BASE FAILURE ON SH 36 IN HOUSTON. INTERIM REPORT

The Cement Treated Base (CTB) on SH 36 experienced rapid deterioration after only three years in service. This report presents the field and laboratory studies undertaken to identify the cause of failure. The main cause of the failure was attributed to the process of carbonation where the calcium component from the cement matrix is leached out, resulting in layer disintegration. Contributing factors to this process were: a) the substantial clay contamination of the field sands used which resulted in high suction levels within the CTB, and b) the pavement design which placed CTBs made from different aggregates on top of one another, resulting in unusual crack patterns which permitted water to be trapped within the base. Recommendations are given on how to avoid this problem in the future, including reducing the allowable PI of the fine materials from 10 to 8. A field carbonation test is also proposed and demonstrated on another project which was experiencing construction problems.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research study title: Spall Repair, Base and Subgrade Stabilization, and Non Destructive Test (NDT) Service for the Houston District, Phase II.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Transfer Office, P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5051
• Authors:
  • Bredenkamp, S
  • Scullion, T
• Publication Date: 1995-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Base course (Pavements); Carbonation; Cement treated soils; Failure analysis; Field studies; Forensic medicine; Laboratory studies; Pavement design; Recommendations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cement treated bases; Contributing factors
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Pavements; Research; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00720293
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TX-96/2919-2, Res Rept 2919-2, TTI: 7-2919
• Contract Numbers: Study 7-2903
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 25 1996 12:00AM