UTC 2022 Funding - Cycle 2 Research Projects

Project Number: CY2-TTI-02
Project Title: Realistic Testing Protocols for Evaluating and Promoting Sustainable Technologies for Stabilizing Highly Expansive Clay Soils
Performing Institution: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Principal Investigators: Stephen Sebesta and Tom Scullion
Proposed Start and End Date: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025
Project Description: Most subgrade soils in Region 6 are problematic because they consist of expansive soils and weak cohesive soils. Much of the observed damage occurring to pavements and other geotechnical assets is directly linked to the shrink-swell characteristics of these highly plastic soils. Extreme weather causes further problems associated with treated bases and subgrades creating hazardous conditions, premature failures, and reduced performance/service life. This research will explore possible ways to enhance the durability of stabilized geomaterials using innovative next-generation materials including: geopolymers, enzymes, acid-based additives, and other non-calcium-based stabilizers. This study will develop realistic laboratory evaluation techniques for documenting the benefits of these non-traditional stabilizers for both soil stabilization and full depth reclamation purposes. The treatments that perform well in the laboratory will be implemented, where possible, in the field in on-going DOT projects. Additionally, a comparison will be made to traditional stabilizers and a cost-benefit analysis performed to document both financial and environmental saving from the new treatments.  

The case for this research is based on the fact that the only successful widely used traditional stabilizers for Region 6 expansive soils continue to be either lime or cement. These treatments have a solid record and decades of performance history, but non-standard stabilizers continue to be developed, and if successful, could address many of the current environmental concerns as well as the potential secondary issues relating to calcium-based stabilizers such as sulfate heave. These non-standard stabilizers could also offer cost-effective alternatives to the traditional stabilizers, but only if they are shown to be effective long-term. This project will develop realistic laboratory testing procedures which mimic field conditions and develop testing guidelines and criteria that can be used to demonstrate the performance of non-standard stabilizers with site-specific materials.
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