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1 (2016) 01-21
a Department of Civil Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
b Department of Civil Engineering, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: This paper presents a study carried out to evaluate and compare the permanent deformation of
marginal soils. Under consideration were marl, sabkha and dune sand stabilized with foamed and
emulsified sulfur asphalt (FSA, ESA) with mixes of the same soils stabilized with conventional foamed and
emulsified asphalt (FA, EA) for road base construction. Designed mixes at their optimum asphalt content
were evaluated for the dynamic resilient modulus (MR) at 22C and 40C and dynamic triaxial at three levels
of deviatoric stress and at 22C and 40C. The wheel tracking (WT) test was carried out at 22C. Permanent
deformation of stabilized mixes with optimum binder contents was modeled and simulated using dynamic
triaxial and WT tests. The developed models were calibrated to predict rutting using VESYS 5W software.
Results indicated that the FSA increased rutting resistance as compared to conventional FA mixes. On the
other hand, ESA increased the rutting susceptibility of marl soil as compared to EA. The calibrated models
of rutting prediction were found to predict the rut depth with 90% accuracy.
o o
o o o
(VESYS 5W)
2
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
where, hi is thickness of the layer. Test mixtures were prepared in various increments
According to Bevan (2002), and are the of residual asphalt contents using previously
stress- and temperature-dependent nonlinear determined amounts of premix water and the
parameters and can be used for modeling optimum water content required for mixing and
permanent deformation of mixes. compaction. Prepared mixtures were compacted in
Thus, in order to predict the total permanent a Marshall mold with 75 blows for each side. After
deformation of a pavement structure, one has to that, the molds containing the compacted
determine the properties of material in each layer specimens were placed on a perforated shelf in a
and predict the layer rut. The VESYS model was 60C (140F) forced draft oven for 48 hours
adopted in this study since it is considered suitable (Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association,
to predict the layer and total rut depths of the 2004). Specimens were soaked under 50 mm Hg of
pavement structure. The model parameters depend vacuum pressure in water for one hour and
on the results of the experimental work on the without vacuum pressure for another hour and
material for each layer. Therefore, the dynamic then tested for soaked stability. Based on the
triaxial repeated load test, which is a suitable lab results, a relationship between soaked stability and
test to obtain the VESYS model parameters, was residual asphalt content was plotted, and the
conducted on the investigated materials. optimum residual asphalt content providing the
maximum soaked stability was determined.
2. Experimental Work Designed FSA and ESA at their optimum binder
contents including marl, sabkha, and dune sand in
Marginal soils cover most of the eastern provinces addition to the mixes of these soils with
of Saudi Arabia. In order to investigate the possible conventional FA and EA were subjected to MR
treatment of the marginal soils to be used in road (AASHTO T-307), dynamic triaxial and wheel
construction, dune sand, marl, and sabkha soils tracking (WT) tests to evaluate their permanent
were collected, subjected to basic characterization, deformation behavior.
and then stored for use in the experiments. The
basic engineering properties of the soils were 3. Results
assessed by conducting preliminary
characterization tests, including specific gravity, The basic properties of the marginal soils (marl,
plasticity tests, and grain size distribution. sabkha and dune sand) used in this study were
Standard foamed asphalt (FA) and 30/70 determined and the soils were classified. Stabilized
foamed sulfur asphalt (FSA) were produced using soils treated with FSA and ESA, as well as the
a calibrated laboratory scale FA plant WLB 10. The conventional FA and EA were designed utilizing
laboratory mix design procedure was carried out as indirect tensile strength (ITS) and Marshall
outlined in the Wirtgen Cold Recycling Manual to stability. Optimum asphalt contents for all mixes
determine the optimum asphalt content for the are summarized in Table 1. The designed mixes at
marl, sabkha, and dune sand soil mixes. After their optimum asphalt content were subjected to
adding FA, 2% cement was added to all mixes to MR and dynamic triaxial (creep) at 22C and 40C,
prevent effecting the optimum moisture content representing relevant temperatures that base layers
(Wahhab et al. 2012). A set of test specimens 63.5 6 are subjected to in the summer and winter and
mm high and 101.6 mm in diameter were prepared wheel racking tests at 22C.
over a range of residual asphalt content. Mixes
were designed using soaked indirect tensile 3.1 Basic Soils Properties
strength (ITS) test. A relationship between soaked The dry and wet grain size distribution curves
ITS and residual asphalt content was plotted and for marl, sabkha, and dune sand soils are shown in
the optimum residual asphalt content, which Fig. 3. Wet sieving of the sabkha was done with
provides the maximum soaked ITS, was sabkha brine rather than distilled water in order to
determined. simulate field conditions. The investigated soils
For emulsified soils mixes, a set of test were non-plastic, based on Atterberg limit tests.
specimens (63.5 6 mm high and 101.6 mm in The specific gravity values of the marl, sabkha, and
diameter) were prepared over a range of residual dune sand soils were 2.69, 2.71 and 2.63 kg/m3,
asphalt contents. respectively.
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H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
FA 9
FSA 9
Marl
EA 8.1
ESA 7.2
FA 8
FSA 7
Sabkha
EA 4
ESA 3.6
FA 7
FSA 8
Sand
EA 5.4
ESA 5.4
Marl and sabkha soils were classified as SM and A- salts between particles of the soil; thus, the
3 according to the Unified Soil Classification proportion of wet materials passing through a
System (USCS) and American Association of State particular sieve is consistently more than that for
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) dry sieving. This difference would be higher if
soil systems, respectively, based on both dry and sabkha was sieved with distilled water instead of
wet sieving methods. However, dune sand was sabkha brine.
classified as SP and A-3 based on both dry and wet However, in sand soil, it can be seen that there is
sieving methods. almost no variation between grain size
It is clear from dry and wet sieve analysis curves distributions calculated by both the dry and wet
for marl and sabkha soils that the wet sieving curve sieving methods. This is ascribed to the fact that
is always above that of the dry curve. This is sand is made up of quartz which is not very
ascribed to the fact that water tends to dissolve the affected by washing.
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Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
3.2 Resilient Modulus (MR) has the highest MR, followed by the sabkha and
A dynamic triaxial test was conducted at 22C lastly by the sand soils treated with the same
and 40oC to measure the dynamic MR at these two stabilizers. The difference, however, is insignificant.
temperatures for marl, sabkha, and sand mixed Figure 7 presents the variation of the MR, measured
with FA, FSA, EA and ESA. The dynamic MR was at 40qC, for the same soils mixed with EA and ESA.
measured according to the AASHTO T-307 Again, there is a significant effect of deviator stress
procedure. The specimens were tested under on the MR results. The MR increased significantly
different combinations of confined pressure with the increase in the applied deviator stress; this
measuring 21138 kPa (320 psi) and deviatoric is the same trend noticed for the MR measured at
stress measuring 34276 kPa (5-40 psi) to simulate 22C. The results also show that there is a drop in
the traffic loading that the granular base and the MR values measured at 40C compared to those
subbase materials are subjected to in the road measured at 22qC. This reduction in the MR values
structures. appeared to be small in the ESA mixes compared to
The variations of the MR with the deviator stress the EA mixes. Thus, the sulfur modified EA mixes
for all FA/FSA mixes at 22C are presented in Fig. are less sensitive to the temperature effect which is
4. The results indicate that there is a significant a great advantage.
effect of the deviator stress variation on MR for all In comparison, between the MR for the EA and
mixes. The MR increased greatly with the increase ESA mixes, the moduli for the marl-ESA and
in the deviator stress. These findings are consistent sabkha-ESA are slightly higher than those for the
with the results reported by Li and Liu (2010). marl-EA and sabkha-EA mixes, whereas the
Furthermore, the marl soil mixed with FA or FSA inverse is true for the sand soil.
has the highest MR values, followed by sabkha and
sand mixes. However, FSA mixes have lower MR 3.3 Dynamic Triaxial (Creep)
values than the FA mixes. A dynamic triaxial repeated load test was
Similarly, FA and FSA mixes were tested for the conducted on specimens 100 mm in diameter by
MR at 40oC. The relationships between the MR and 200 mm in height prepared at the optimum water
the deviator stress are presented in Fig. 5, which and FA, FSA, EA and ESA contents and compacted
shows that, upon testing at 40qC, the MR values to the maximum dry density. The specimens were
dropped by a magnitude of about 30% for FA tested under 10 psi (68.95 kPa) of confining
mixes and 510% for FSA mixes, which is pressure and a 4080 psi range of deviator stress
insignificant. The slight reduction in the MR of FSA (276552 kPa) to simulate the traffic loading that
mixes under an increased temperature as compared the granular base and subbase materials are
to FA may be attributed to the stiff bond between subjected to in the roads. The deviatoric stress was
soil particles of the mix, which is improved due to applied in the form of a sinusoidal (haversine)
the small-dispersed stiff droplets of FSA as a result wave pulse with a loading time of 0.1 second
of the foaming and mixing processes. At low followed by a reset period of 0.9 seconds. Repeated
ambient temperature, stiffness increases at the load tests were applied for treated mixes samples at
points where mineral particles are bounded by lab temperatures of 22C and 40C and with
sulfur asphalt droplets while, where there were no deviator stress levels of 60, 70, and 80 psi (414, 483,
sulfur asphalt droplets, the connection between and 552 kPa) for stiff materials and 40, 50, and 60
particles did not change (Li and Liu 2010). Thus, psi (276, 345, and 414 kPa) for less stiff materials.
when temperatures increase, only the sulfur The results of the dynamic triaxial tests for the
asphalt-bounded particles are affected, which are marl, sabkha and dune sand soils treated at the
fewer in comparison to the mineral particles that optimum percentages with FA and FSA and tested
are not bounded by sulfur asphalt droplets. at 22C are presented below (Figs. 810). It is clear
Furthermore, sulfur asphalt has a higher that the marl soil has a high resistance to rutting,
stiffness and less susceptibility to temperature followed by sabkha and sand soils. Furthermore,
differences as compared to plain asphalt, resulting the FSA mixes, except sand soil, reflect high rutting
in a stiffer mixes, which might justify its lower resistance in comparison to the FA mixes, which is
sensitivity to temperature variation. considered a great advantage for newly
The variations of MR with the deviator stress at investigated FSA.
22C for emulsified soils mixes are presented in However, for the sand soil, the difference is not
Fig. 6, which clearly shows that the MR increased as high, and the permanent deformation is high
greatly with an increase in deviator stress. either for the standard FA mixes or the modified
Additionally, the marl soil treated with EA or ESA FSA mixes.
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H.I. Al-Abdul Wahhab and G.M.S. Abdullah
Figure 4. Variation of MR with deviator stress for the foamed soils at 22C.
6
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
7
H.I. Al-Abdul Wahhab and G.M.S. Abdullah
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
Load
Load
Load Repetitions
Repetitions
Repetitions
8
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
The increase in the resistivity of the sulfur modified FSA mixes have higher resistance to permanent
mixes to the permanent deformation may be deformation. In addition to that and based on the
ascribed to the increased asphalt stiffness. results of the dune sand mixes shown in Figs. 13
Similarly, Figs. 1114 show the results of the and 14, in spite of the weakness of the sand mixes,
dynamic triaxial test for the same soils tested at the FSA mix is more resistant to permanent
40qC. The same trend as was found at 22 C is deformation than the FA mix when tested at 40C,
noticeable for the sabkha soil and marl, in which particularly under low to medium loading stresses.
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
9
H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
Figures 1517 show the results of the dynamic dropped considerably when ESA was used instead
triaxial tests of EA and ESA mixes conducted at of EA.
22oC. Contrary to the foamed mixes, the addition Figures 1820 show the dynamic triaxial test
of the modified ESA to the soils increased the results for the same three soils tested at 40C.
possibility of rutting, especially for marl and sand Based on the results for the marl soil, the same
soils. Sabkha soil ESA mixes showed less trend found when testing at 22C is clearly present
permanent deformation than the EA mixes, but [Fig. 18]. Here, the mixes remained in the second
they reached to the failure stage earlier than EA stage of the creep curve and did not reach to the
mixes, particularly at high stress levels. Such failure stage as happened when testing at 22 C and
behavior may be attributed to the reduction in the under 80 psi (552 kPa) of loading, which means that
shear strength parameters (C and ) of the soils sulfur mixes perform well at higher temperatures.
when treated with ESA rather than conventional On the other hand, sabkha and sand soils show
EA. It should be noted that the internal friction the inverse trend. ESA mixes are less sensitive to
angle of traded soils did not change significantly rutting in comparison to conventional mixes which
due to the treatment type while the cohesion has were found to fail rapidly (Figs. 1920).
10
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
Furthermore, the mixes did not reach the failure which leads to a high D and low for rutting
stage, particularly at low to medium loading for model parameters, resulting in low rutting
sand and for all levels of loading in the case of the prediction. Hence, the sulfur modified emulsion
sabkha soil. In addition, the slope (b) and intercept mixes have lower temperature susceptibility than
(a) of the permanent deformation curves are low conventional mixes.
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
11
H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
Load Repetitions
12
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
Load Repetitions
3.4 Wheel Tracking (WT) was observed in which marl soil has the highest
A WT test is considered one of the best tests to rutting resistance, followed by sabkha and sand
simulate field conditions. Thus, rutting behavior of soils. This means that rutting can be predicted from
compacted base mixes was simulated using a wheel any of the test methods and compared reasonably
track tester. Two slabs for each mix were well with other. Results also indicate that the ESA
compacted to their maximum dry density, which is mixes showed lower rutting resistance than the
the same density as in the dynamic triaxial test emulsion mixes. In comparison to either normal or
specimens, using dynamic compaction. From the sulfur modified foam mixes, emulsified mixes are
marl, sabkha or sand mixed with FA, FSA, EA, and less resistant to permanent deformation than
ESA, 24 slabs measuring 45 cm x 22 cm x 10 cm foamed mixes. This can be attributed to the fact that
were prepared. The slabs were then cured at 40C the FA treatment mechanism is different from that
for 72 hours for foamed mixes and at 60C for 48 of the EA treatment. While EA tends to coat soil
hours for emulsified mixes and tested dry under a particles with a very fine asphalt layer, FA works
wheel load of 80 psi (552 kPa) at 22C. Figure 21 more like a soil stabilized with lime whereas FA
shows samples of some tested slabs. mostly binds the finer particles of the soil,
The results shown in Figs. 2224 are the improving its structure. As such, FSA has a stiff
measured rut depths for the FA- and FSA-treated bond between fine soil particles of the mix
slabs of marl, sabkha, and sand soils, respectively. (droplets constituted of FSA).
Results clearly show the same rankings as were Results also showed that sand treated with EA
obtained from the dynamic triaxial test; marl soil or ESA is very sensitive to rutting and exhibited
had the highest rutting resistance followed by higher permanent deformation (>15 mm within the
sabkha and sand soil. Furthermore, the modified first thousand load repetitions) as compared to
FSA mixes had less rutting susceptibility than the marl and sabkha mixes.
conventional foam mixes. Results also showed that Generally, marl asphalt mixes are more resistant
the sand treated with FA or FSA is very sensitive to to permanent deformation than sand or sabkha
rutting and exhibited higher permanent mixes due to the higher internal friction angle of
deformation (>15 mm within the first thousand marl asphalt mixes, resulting in a longer secondary
load repetitions) compared to the other marl and stage of permanent deformation. The low friction of
sabkha mixes. The test section was considered dune and sabkha soils is attributed to the spherical
failed when the vertical deformation was 25mm (1 nature of the particles.
inch). In general, the relative performance ranking of
The results shown in Figs. 2527 are the accelerated pavement tests (APT) represented here
measured rut depths for EA and ESA mixes for by a loaded WT test and a dynamic triaxial
marl, sabkha, and sand, respectively. Again, the repeated load test was found to be the same for all
same trend and ranking as in the dynamic triaxial investigated mixes in this study.
13
H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
Load Repetitions
Figure 22. Results of the permanent deformation for the marl-FA/FSA mixes using a wheel track machine,
dry at 22C.
Load Repetitions
Figure 23. Results of the permanent deformation for the sabkha-FA/FSA mixes using wheel track machine,
dry at 22C.
14
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
Load Repetitions
Figure 24. Results of the permanent deformation for the sand-FA/FSA mixes using a wheel track machine,
dry at 22C.
Load Repetitions
Figure 25. Results of the permanent deformation for the marl-EA/ESA mixes using a wheel track machine,
dry at 22qC.
Load Repetitions
Figure 26. Results of the permanent deformation for the sabkha-EA/ESA mixes using wheel track machine,
dry at 22qC.
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H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
Load Repetitions
Figure 27. Results of the permanent deformation for the sand-EA/ESA mixes using wheel track machine,
dry at 22qC.
, = 1- b (6)
4. Prediction of Permanent Deformation
Using the VESYS Model r = (7)
The VESYS model includes two different flexible In this study, VESYS 5W software was used to
pavement rutting models: system and layer rutting. analyze the pavement structure and conduct
One advantage of the layer rutting model is its performance analysis. The two main input
capability to predict both surface rutting and the parameters in the VESYS 5W rutting model are the
permanent deformation in each layer of the permanent deformation parameters, and , for
pavement structure. The permanent deformation in each layer.
each finite layer can be estimated as the product of To calculate the MR of the stabilized mixes,
the layer material permanent deformation law regression models with high coefficients of
associated with that layer and the elastic correlation in terms of deviator stress, confining
compression at that layer which, in layer theory, is pressure, and temperature were developed using
given by the difference in deflections of the top and Minitab software, Version 16 (Minitab, Inc., State
bottom of the layer. Thus, the rut depth in any College, Pennsylvania, USA) based on the results of
finite layer can be calculated from the following the MR tests. Tables 2 and 3 present the MR models
equation (Zhou and Scullion 2002): for FA and EA mixes, respectively.
The permanent deformation parameters (D and
Pfor each mix were obtained by representing the
RD (N) = (W+-W-)* N (1- i) (5) accumulated permanent strain versus the number
of load repetitions, represented as a curve resulting
from the dynamic triaxial test on a log-log scale.
where,
The intercept and slope coefficients were
RD = the permanent deformation (rutting) level determined and then D and were calculated
after N load repetitions; according to Eqn. 6. Regression models were
created using Minitab software, Version 16 to
W+, W- = the elastic deflection amplitudes of the express these two parameters as functions of stress
top and bottom surfaces of the layer, respectively; levels and temperature for foamed and emulsified
i, i = the laboratory permanent deformation mixes as shown in Tables 4 and Table 5,
parameters for the each layer (i) material; respectively.
16
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
Material Type of
MR R2
Type Additive
Material Type of
MR R2
Type Additive
EA MR = 128 - 2.26 T - 0.513 Vc + 4.52 Vd 0.98
Marl
ESA MR = 119 - 2.49 T - 0.257 Vc + 4.61Vd 0.993
EA MR = 158 - 3.07 T - 0.346 Vc + 4.05 Vd 0.988
Sabkha
ESA MR = 139 - 2.39 T - 0.417 Vc + 4.25 Vd 0.99
Soil Stab-
R2 R2
Type ilizer
17
H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
Soil Stab-
R2 R2
Type ilizer
Soil
Treatment Type CF CF
Type
FA 0.8904 1.058
Marl
FSA 0.9638 2.50
FA 1.0959 1.429
Sabkha
FSA 0.8267 0.351
FA 0.6604 1.16
Sand
FSA 0.7843 1.098
EA 0.7912 2.941
Marl
ESA 0.9412 1.331
EA 1.321 1.77
Sabkha
ESA 0.60 0.903
Sand EA 0.93 1.191
A = foamed asphalt; FSA = foamed sulfur asphalt; EA = emulsified asphalt; ESA = emulsified sulfur asphalt.
18
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
there was no need for calibration and the model that these factors were used only for the marginal
could be used for rutting prediction. Otherwise, D soils (marl, sabkha, and dune sand) whose basic
and were multiplied by the ratio of the recent properties and classifications are listed in this
predicted rut depth (RD+1) to the rut depth paper.
predicted in the previous step (RD) and called D i+1 Figures 29 and 30 show the WT-measured and
and i+1 as shown in the flowchart. D i+1 and i+1 VESYS 5W-predicted rut depth curves for the marl
were re-entered into the VESYS 5W software and treated with FSA and ESA, respectively, as an
the process was repeated until the predicted rut example of the rutting prediction using calibrated
depth was within 90% of the WT-measured rut models. It is clear from the figures that the
depth. Finally, calibration factors for the permanent calibrated models have predicted the rutting values
deformation properties ( D and ) for each mix close to that measured using a WT test.
were determined (Table 6). It is worth mentioning
19
H. I. Al-Abdul Wahhb and G.M.S. Abdullah
5. Conclusion
2. FSA mixes showed superior rutting resistance
compared with FA mixes and less temperature
This paper summarizes a laboratory investigation
susceptibility.
to evaluate the permanent deformation of marl,
3. ESA was found to increase the permanent
sabkha and dune sand soils treated with FSA and
deformation susceptibility of soil mixes.
ESA as well as conventional FA and EA by
4. Permanent deformation prediction models for
conducting dynamic triaxial and WT tests and
the investigated mixes were developed and
developed and calibrated models for rutting
calibrated with the WT test results, and the
prediction. Based on the results of this study, the
calibrated models were found to predict the rut
following conclusions are drawn:
depth with 90% accuracy.
5. The VESYS 5W program is suitable to predict
1. The MR of FSA mixes are slightly less than
rut depth since it can predict the layer rut
those of FA mixes. However, the MR of ESA
depth and the total rut depth of the pavement
mixes are slightly higher than EA mixes.
structure with a 90% degree of accuracy.
20
Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Foamed and Emulsified Sulfur Asphalt Soils Mixes
21