Strength And Compaction Characteristics Of Bitumen-Stabilized Granular Soil

Abstract This study investigates the stabilization of granular soil with bitumen. The strength and compaction characteristics of the natural and stabilized granular soil were determined. In the study 2 4 and 6 bitumen content were considered. The results showed that the optimum binder content required in achieving the highest maximum dry density MDD and California bearing ratio CBR is 4. It was discovered that when 6 bitumen was used the MDD and the CBR decreased although the values obtained were greater than those for unstabilized granular soil. The reduction in the MDD and CBR is probably due to the excess bitumen in the mix which filled the voids thus resulting in slip and weakening the bond between the aggregates. Also the relationship between the optimum moisture content and the bitumen content showed that the moisture content in the soil must be considered in the selection of the binder content that will give the best results. Generally it was found that the properties of the granular soil improved when stabilized with cutback bitumen.