Fly Ash Soil Stabilization for Non-Uniform Subgrade Soils, Volume I: Engineering Properties and Construction Guidelines

Soil treated with self-cementing fly ash is increasingly being used in Iowa to stabilize fine-grained pavement subgrades, but without a complete understanding of the short- and long-term behavior. To develop a broader understanding of fly ash engineering properties, mixtures of five different soil types, ranging from ML to CH, and several different fly ash sources (including hydrated and conditioned fly ashes) were evaluated. Results show that soil compaction characteristics, compressive strength, wet/dry durability, freeze/thaw durability, hydration characteristics, rate of strength gain, and plasticity characteristics are all affected by the addition of fly ash. Specifically, Iowa self-cementing fly ashes are effective at stabilizing fine-grained Iowa soils for earthwork and paving operations; fly ash increases compacted dry density and reduces the optimum moisture content; strength gain in soil-fly ash mixtures depends on cure time and temperature, compaction energy, and compaction delay; sulfur contents can form expansive minerals in soil-fly ash mixtures, which severely reduces the long-term strength and durability; fly ash increases the California bearing ratio of fine-grained soil-fly ash, effectively dries wet soils and provides an initial rapid strength gain; fly ash decreases swell potential of expansive soils; soil-fly ash mixtures cured below freezing temperatures and then soaked in water are highly susceptible to slaking and strength loss; soil stabilized with fly ash exhibits increased freeze-thaw durability; soil strength can be increased with the addition of hydrated fly ash and conditioned fly ash, but at higher rates and not as effectively as self-cementing fly ash. Based on the results of this study, three proposed specifications were developed for the use of self-cementing fly ash, hydrated fly ash, and conditioned fly ash. The specifications describe laboratory evaluation, field placement, moisture conditioning, compaction, quality control testing procedures, and basis of payment.

• Record URL:
  http://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/20034
• Record URL:
  http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/reports/tr461_vol1.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/55000/55900/55911/IA_TR461VOLUME1.PDF
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Iowa Highway Research Board, 800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Authors:
  • Thomas, Zach
  • Harrington, Dale
  • White, David J
• Publication Date: 2005-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 171p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compaction; Compressive strength; Construction; Durability; Engineering; Fine grained soils; Fly ash; Freeze thaw durability; Guidelines; Hydration; Moisture content; Plasticity; Properties of materials; Soil compaction; Soil stabilization; Soils; Subgrade materials; Sulfur; Swelling soils; Temperature; Wetting and drying tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Conditioned fly ash; Cure time; Rate of strength gain; Self cementing
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01000415
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: IHRB Project TR-461, FHWA Project 4
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 16 2005 5:30PM