Acrylic Copolymer Stabilizer for Cost Optimization of Earthy Road Construction

Abstract

This study proposes an assessment of the utilization of acrylic copolymer as stabilizer in earthy road construction. The objective is to provide low-cost alternatives that reduce road maintenance annual cost and reduce the period between major rehabilitation. Conducting a suite of laboratory tests to evaluate the properties of soil and gravel mixture before and after the use of acrylic copolymer stabilizer and evaluating the cost feasibility by analyzing the test results. The soil engaged in this study was a local soil collected from borrow pit in Hadida oil field in west of Sudan, while the gravel soil was obtained from Altomat in west of Sudan too. The local soil was mixed with 30%, 50% and 70% gravel. Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of the soil-gravel mixture were measured for each sample of proposed mixing percentage. CBR for each sample was measured before and after treatment by acrylic copolymer. The acrylic copolymer used in this study was obtained from Saudi Arabia provided by Sabco Co. and it is used for commercial purposes. The stabilizers amount used was 7% and it is in liquid formula. Remarkable improvement on compaction characteristics was obtained when 7% of liquid acrylic copolymer mixed with the soil-gravel. Addition of acrylic copolymer stabilizer to 50% soil and 50% gravel has increased MDD by almost 40%. The improvement on CBR when acrylic copolymer used is 180%. The results obtained from this experimental study evident the great effect of polymers on soil strength.