Investigating the Effectiveness of Enzymatic Stabilizers for Reclaimed Stabilized Base Projects

van der Heijden, Ryan; Ghazanfari, Ehsan; Dewoolkar, Mandar M.

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Investigating the Effectiveness of Enzymatic Stabilizers for Reclaimed Stabilized Base Projects

2025-11-03
By van der Heijden, Ryan ; Ghazanfari, Ehsan ; Dewoolkar, Mandar M.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

van der Heijden, Ryan ; Ghazanfari, Ehsan ; Dewoolkar, Mandar M.
Corporate Creators:

University of Vermont. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering ; University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
Corporate Contributors:

United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
Subject/TRT Terms:

Biopolymers Cement Construction Cracking Investigation Of Structure Non-Traditional Stabilizers Pavement Subbase Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements Rehabilitation Stabilizers Subbase Materials Traffic Lanes Xanthan Gum
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

University of Maine. Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC)
Abstract:

Reclaimed stabilized base (RSB) with an appropriate stabilizing agent is an appealing option for many rehabilitation projects. Depending on the type of base layer, various traditional stabilizing agents (e.g. cement, lime, calcium chloride, asphalt emulsion) are used in RSB projects to rehabilitate roadways by reclaiming the base material. Despite their advantages, traditional stabilizers entail some disadvantages (e.g. chemical reactions that might lead to disintegration of bonds). An alternative to the traditional stabilizers is using enzymatic stabilizers or a combination of an enzyme with traditional stabilizers in RSB leading to an improved stabilization outcome. This study investigated the effects of Xanthan Gum (XG) biopolymer on the strength and stiffness of roadway subbase materials as a full or partial replacement of cement. The subbase material was created in the lab and designed to represent the general gradation specified by regional departments of transportation. Scanning electron microscope imagery indicated that the XG coats soil particles and creates connections between them. For specimens treated with only XG, the results indicated an optimal treatment level of 1.0% of the dry mass of the subbase material, resulting in an unconfined compressive strength of about 4,000 kPa for specimens cured for 28 days compared to the untreated specimen with a strength of about 200 kPa. For specimens treated with both XG and cement, the results indicated an optimal level of treatment of 1.0% XG and 1.0% cement by dry mass of the subbase material. This combination demonstrated increased compressive strength of about 1,400 kPa. Combinations of XG and cement also resulted in a desirable ductile post-peak behavior in the treated subbase specimens compared to specimens treated with cement alone, which often produces undesirable brittle behavior.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

69A3551847101
Collection(s):

University Transportation Centers
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:d17061be887b5ee6184a90c446bbf1a3590d7d1733308eabe6620b9d292bb116ffd5deac9e17b4e7a2a01339d2678c471c7415f47c998a88f255628e7cdde9c4
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88847/dot_88847_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 3.02 MB ]

File Language:

English

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