Investigating the effects of nanochemical-based ionic stabilizer and co-polymer on soil properties for pavement construction

ABSTRACT

Stabilization of soil is imperative to the performance and serviceability of the pavement. Conventionally, soil stabilization has been done using cement, lime and fly ash; with advent in engineering and machinery, new technologies have been coming up, latest being the use of nanomaterials. This paper focuses on studying the changes in geotechnical properties of soil when treated with two nanochemicals, S (ionic stabilizer) and P (binding co-polymer). The chemicals were added to soil in varying dosages, and in final investigation, 3% cement was also added to the mix to study the suitability of soil for use in subgrade and sub-base layers for application in low-volume roads. The test results showed improvement in properties of the soil on incorporating nanochemical stabilizers. It also revealed that the strength of the soil treated with nanochemicals increases with curing time, and better results are reported as the cycle of treatment is increased.

Abbreviations: CBR: California Bearing Ratio; FSI: Free Swell Index; LL: Liquid Limit; MDD: Maximum Dry Density; MoRTH: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India; OMC: Optimum Moisture Content; PI: Plasticity Index; PL: Plastic Limit; UCS: Unconfined Compressive Strength

KEYWORDS:

• Soil stabilization
• nanochemicals
• ionic stabilizer
• co-polymer
• FSI
• UCS
• CBR

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Prachi Kushwaha

Prachi Kushwaha is pursuing Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (India). She completed her Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering from MNIT Jaipur (India) and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from MBM Engineering College, JNVU, Jodhpur (India). Her research areas are focused around road materials and pavement engineering.

Avanish Singh Chauhan

Avanish Singh Chauhan, Ph.D., is working as an Assistant Professor in Manipal University Jaipur (India). He received his M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees from Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (India). He completed his B.E. degree in Industrial and Production Engineering from SGSITS, Indore (India). His research interests include product development, engineering management, innovation, materials, and sustainable development.

Sankalp Swami

Sankalp Swami is a Masters Research student of Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University (USA). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and has previously worked in industry as a Highway Engineer. His areas of research interest lies around transportation planning and pavement engineering.

Bajrang Lal Swami

Bajrang Lal Swami, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (India). He has over 39 years of teaching, research, industry, and consulting experience. He has authored several articles for various international/national journals and conferences of repute. He possesses Diploma, B.E., M.E. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from premier institutes in India. His areas of expertise include pavement engineering, road materials, transportation planning.