Performance
of a stabilized marl base: a case study
Aiban S.A.; Al-Abdul
Wahhab H.I.; Al-Amoudi O.S.B.1; Ahmed H.R.
Construction
and Building Materials, Volume 12, Number 6, 1 September 1998,
pp. 329-340(12)
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Abstract:
The formation of
depressions and settlement in roads shortly after being constructed is one of
the major challenges facing the road authorities in the Arabian Gulf States.
Such problems have been closely related to the nature of pavement materials and
loading conditions as well as to the proximity of groundwater tables to the
surface. A major road in eastern Saudi Arabia was reported for
frequent deterioration even when the construction was properly carried out. A
preliminary investigation was conducted to quantify the properties of the base
course material (i.e. marl soil) and the cause of failure. The laboratory
investigation indicated that the marl used in the construction, similar to
other marls, has acute water sensitivity and loss of strength whenever the soil
is inundated. A precautionary and immediate solution was proposed to stabilize the
soil with cement. Consequently, a comprehensive laboratory program was carried
out to assess the performance of cement-stabilized marl mixtures under
different exposure conditions. Based on the laboratory results and the traffic
data for the road under investigation, four sections were constructed, two of
them being without any additive while in the other two the base course being
treated with 4% cement. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the four
sections for 4 years indicated that the cement-treated road sections have
exhibited superior performance over the untreated ones. Unlike the untreated
sections, which have experienced various forms of deterioration within a few
months after construction, the stabilized sections are still in an excellent condition.
Keywords: Marl
soils; Stabilization;
Bases