Monitoring of the Compressibility Characteristics of Asphalt Stabilized Subgrade

Abstract

. The subgrade soil is the foundation plate form of the roadway; it should sustain its structural characteristics throughout the design life of the roadway with minimal requirements for maintenance. When Gypseous soil is implemented in the construction of subgrade, problems regarding collapsibility and poor structural capacity usually occur when the subgrade came in touch with excess water. Asphalt stabilization could furnish a proper solution to such problems. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to monitor the variations in compressibility characteristics of asphalt stabilized subgrade soil subjected to 30 cycles of (freezing-thawing) and (heating-cooling). Data have been observed after each 10 cycles, and compared with that of reference mix. Specimens of (75) mm diameter and (20) mm height have been prepared at optimum fluid content with various asphalt emulsion percentages. Testing was carried out using the standard odometer to determine the compressibility characteristics at dry and soaked test conditions. It was concluded that for samples exposed to (10, 20 and 30) cycles of (freezing-thawing), the compression index (Cc) had increased with the increase of cycles in soaked condition but it decreases with increased number of cycles in dry condition. Initial void ratio decreased with number of cycles in dry condition; but remains constant with increased number of cycles in soaked condition. For samples exposed to (10, 20 and 30) cycles of (heating-cooling), (Cc) decreased with the increase of cycles in both soaked and dry condition. Initial void ratio increased with number of cycles while it slightly changed for dry and soaked condition respectively.