Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Soil is a
fundamental material in all types of civil engineering construction,
particularly in road infrastructure where the strength and durability of the
subgrade soil are critical. When the natural subgrade does not meet the
required strength criteria, stabilization becomes necessary to improve its
engineering properties. This study focuses on enhancing the strength
characteristics of gravelly soil using Medium Setting (MS) cationic bitumen
emulsion, with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as a secondary stabilizing agent.
The experimental program involves a series of laboratory tests including
specific gravity, grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, Modified Proctor
Compaction, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests under various conditions.
Four distinct mixing scenarios were evaluated, varying the proportions of
bitumen emulsion and cement, as well as curing durations. The influence of these
parameters on the maximum dry density and CBR values of the stabilized soil was
analyzed. Results indicate that the inclusion of 3% bitumen emulsion along with
2% cement, followed by a curing period of 5 hours, yields the most significant
improvement in strength. This combination resulted in a notable increase in
maximum dry density and up to a 50% improvement in CBR value compared to
untreated soil. These findings confirm that the combined use of bitumen
emulsion and cement can effectively enhance the load-bearing capacity of gravel
subgrade, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution for road
construction.
Country : India
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 6, June 2025 pp. 184-194