Chemical Stabilization of Subgrades

Section Engineers Meeting

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
March 5-7, 2013

Why should soil subgrades be stabilized?

Improve Bearing Capacity

CBR of Clays Soils are 1 to 5
CBR of Silts 4 to 10
Silts Very Susceptible to Changes in Moisture
Stabilized Subgrade Will Last for Many Years
85% of Soils in Kentucky are Silts and Clays

Types of chemical stabilization

Lime: Lean to Fat clays Plastic Index Predominantly > 15

Cement: Sandy and Silty Soils Plastic Index <20
PI 15 to 25: Lime or Cement may be used
Lime Kiln Dust: Clays
Cement Kiln Dust: Sandy Soils
Kiln Dust is byproduct from cement and lime manufacturing
Cheaper but more may be needed
Good for drying wet soils (modification)

Types of chemical stabilization

Lime: takes longer (mellowing period initial and final mixing)

Cement: Mixed and compacted within a few hours
Kiln Dust: Lower Cost; not as much active calcium available

When should soil subgrades be stabilized?

CBR of Clays Soils are 6 or less

15 samples

When should soil subgrades be stabilized?

CBR of Clays Soils are 6 or less

How much stabilizer should be used

Eads and Grim Test (ASTM D 6276)
The lowest amount needed to reach a pH of 12.4

How much stabilizer should be used

Unconfined Compressive Strength, Qu,
test on lime stabilized sample

How much stabilizer should be used?

The lowest amount needed to reach a specified strength

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Construct subgrade to plan elevation

Sampling before starting

Send samples (1 per 1,000 feet min.) to
Geotechnical Branch at least 3 weeks

before starting stabilization

Proctor tests may take 2 weeks
If you think a soil needs stabilization call
Geotech

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Quick Lime is delivered and transferred to mixing (slaking tank)
CaO + H2o
Ca(OH)2 Quick Lime is converted to Hydrated Lime

Procedures (Quick Lime Stabilization)

Lime Slurry is transferred to dispensing truck

Procedures (Quick Lime Stabilization)

Scarify Subgrade

Procedures ( Quick Lime Stabilization)

Apply lime slurry to scarified subgrade

Procedures (Quick Lime Stabilization)

Apply lime slurry to scarified subgrade

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Mix slurry and soil to specified depth

Procedures (Lime Stabilization quick lime)

Mix slurry and soil to specified depth

#4 Sieve,

1 Inch Sieve,

2 Inch Sieve

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Lightly Compact

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Mellow for one day and mix again

Clay will have a silty texture

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Mellow for one day and mix again

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Final Compaction (24- 72 hours)

Procedures (Hydrated Lime Stabilization)

Dry (hydrated lime) application
Ca(OH)2

Hydrated lime is delivered in tanker

Transported to spreader truck

Procedures (Hydrated Lime Stabilization)

Dry (hydrated lime) application
Ca(OH)2

Hydrated lime spread on subgrade

Dry (hydrated lime) application

Water added during mixing
Compaction same as for quick lime

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Check compaction

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Cut to final grade

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Cut to final grade

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Check Depth of chemical stabilization

Lime Testing
Soil sampler

Depth Testing
Phenolthalein lime
testing solution

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Depth of chemical stabilization

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Depth of chemical stabilization

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Keep moist

Procedures (Lime Stabilization)

Apply an asphalt seal
No additional moisture is needed after sealing
Typical cure time is seven days maximum

Why is quick lime paid at 1.25 times actual

quantity?
Quick lime is delivered and transferred to mixing (slaking tank)
CaO + H2o
Ca(OH)2 quick lime is converted to hydrated lime
CaO + H2O
Molecular Weight CaO
Ca 40.08 x 1 = 40.08
O 16.00 x 1 = 16.00
Total

56.08
74.10/56.08 = 1.32

Ca(OH)2
Molecular Weight Ca(OH2)
Ca 40.08 x 1 = 40.08
O 16.00 x 2 = 32.00
H
1.00 x 2 = 1.02
Total
74.10
Close to 1.25?

Truck being filled with Cement

Procedures (Cement Stabilization)

Dry application
Mix one time and compact soon

Water Applied to Soil

Procedures (Cement Stabilization)

Water can be applied to mixer directly

Typical cure time sometimes shortened

Procedures (Cement Stabilization)

Water applied to mixer directly

Field testing to determine long-term strengths

And durability of chemically stabilized subgrades

Field testing to determine long-term strengths

And durability of chemically stabilized subgrades

SPT TESTS

Coring a stabilized subgrade using compressed air as cooling medium

Core of stabilized subgrade and asphalt about 30 years old

Shelby Tubes of stabilized subgrade (special tubes made)

and layer below the stabilized subgrade

Field CBR test on stabilized subgrade and below stabilization

Percentile Test Value

In Situ CBR
From University of Kentucky Transportation Center

DCP Tests on stabilized subgrade

Implementation
Stabilization or modification of all new
highways with CBRs of 6 or less is
recommended by Kentucky Transportation
Cabinet
Chemical stabilization is now a standard in
highway construction
Many industries and businesses use
chemical stabilization

Benefits
Economical
Prevents pavement failures during
construction
Structural credit can and is be given to
stabilized subgrade
Reduces subgrade swell
Long-term 30 years or more

Spreads Loads
100 psi

100 psi
4 psi

15 psi
Unstabilized Granular Base

Stabilized Base

Eliminates Rutting Below

Surface

Unstabilized Base

Rutting can occur in surface,

base and subgrade of
unstabilized bases due to
repeated wheel loading

Stabilized
Base

Stabilized bases resist

consolidation and movement,
thus virtually eliminating
rutting in all layers but the
asphalt surface.

Reduced Moisture Susceptibility

Unstabilized Granular Base

High water table

Stabilized Base

Thank You