STABILIZATION OF A SAUDI SABKHA SOIL WITH LIQUID ASPHALTS

 

 

Hamad I. AL-Abdul Wahhab and Ibrahim Asi

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

In this investigation, a typical sabkha from eastern Saudi Arabia was used. The soil was first classified using sieve analysis and Atterberg limits tests. The surface area was then determined using the centrifuge kerosene equivalent (CKE) test to preliminarily estimate the optimum asphalt dosage that should be added to the sabkha. Two types of liquid asphalts were used, namely emulsion and cutback, at four different percentages. In order to further improve the strength of the asphalt-stabilized sabkha, lime and cements were also added at three different weight percentages (0, 2 and 4%). Isotropically-consolidated triaxial tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of these stabilized sabkha specimens.

Although liquid asphalts did not bring about any improvement as anticipated, results of this investigation indicate that the sabkha properties (0 and c) have improved significantly by the addition of cement to the emulsified asphalt. Properties of sabkha have been improved to a lesser extent when lime and emulsified asphalt were used. Emulsified asphalt at 4 % Portland cement proved to be the best treatment.