Nontraditional Stabilization of Base Course and Subgrade Soils

Dear Colleagues, 

The primary purpose of the base course and subgrade layers of a pavement system is to resist permanent deformations, to resist shear, and to avoid excessive deflections. Toward this end, base materials directly support pavement layers, tend to have higher strength and deformation characteristics, and are typically more likely to be non-native, as opposed to subgrade soils. Soil stabilization to improve the engineering properties of base course materials has been practiced for many years using traditional (calcium-based) and non-traditional stabilizers (non-calcium-based). The main purposes for stabilization of base soils include increase in shear strength, reduction in moisture susceptibility, and utilization of local soils. Cement and lime are the two most common traditional stabilizers. Research findings over the years have consistently revealed that cement and lime treatment lead to significant increases in strength and durability of treated soils. Although much research has been conducted on traditional stabilizers during the past several decades, non-traditional stabilizers have recently been recommended as alternative base stabilization additives. The effectiveness of non-calcium-based stabilizers for base and subgrade soils has been studied by various researchers. Some of the recommended non-traditional stabilizers include barium hydroxide and barium chloride, sulfonated naphthalene to enzymes and bioenzymes, potassium stabilizer, hydrogen ion exchange chemicals, low pH solutions of sulfonated limonene, enzymes, lignosulfonates, petroleum emulsions, polymers, resins, and chemical stabilizers. Non-traditional admixtures have become popular due to their cost efficiency, ease of application, and fast curing times.

We would like to invite you to contribute by submitting articles on your recent research, experimental work, reviews, and/or case studies related to the field of non-traditional soil stabilizers. Contributions may be from, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Non-traditional stabilizers and promising technologies;
• Comparison of stabilizing agents, treatment levels, curing times, and moisture conditioning;
• Field and laboratory experimental program and interpretation of the data;
• Effectiveness of stabilizers and the repeatability of laboratory and field results;
• Permeability characteristics of treated soils;
• Moisture susceptibility of treated soils;
• Swelling potential of treated soils;
• Case histories and recommended practices.

Dr. Gokhan Saygili
Dr. Yetkin Yildirim
Guest Editors

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