THE USE OF UREA-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN IN SANDY SOIL STABILIZATION

In this paper it is presented the results of detailed laboratory tests to improve the natural subgrade soils using polymer resins. The improvement may be through increasing compressive strength, flexural strength and California bearing ratio. The urea-formaldehyde resin was used in this study, as a soil stabilizing agent, to improve the characteristics of desert and beach sands. Comparison was done of properties of soil with no modified urea-formaldehyde resin and with modified urea-formaldehyde resin. The results are encouraging since the addition of the urea- formaldehyde resin increase the compressive strength which enables the sands to carry the heavy traffic. In addition, California bearing ratio, dry density, abrasion resistance and water absorption have been improved to use in the construction of highways.