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Title:

Forensic Investigation of Pavement Premature Failure Related to Soil Sulfate-Induced Heave
Cover of Forensic Investigation of Pavement Premature Failure Related to Soil Sulfate-Induced Heave

Accession Number:

01024961

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Abstract:

A series of nondestructive testing and lab tests were performed in determining the cause of extensive longitudinal cracking and severe roughness in the vicinity of the Baylor Creek Bridge on US 287. A sulfate-induced heave problem was identified from site observations and verified based on the lab test results. One site where the greatest distress was observed contained a high sulfate concentration exceeding 35,000 ppm (parts per million), far above the 8,000 ppm limit recommended for use of calcium-based stabilizers. Reactions of sulfates at concentrations at this level with calcium-based stabilizers can cause severe heaving. A second site had a moderate sulfate concentration of about 6800 ppm, a level where special considerations must be used when applying a calcium-based stabilizer. Swell potential at this site is lower than the location with higher sulfate concentrations. It is not recommended that soil with the high sulfate content be stabilized using traditional calcium-based stabilizers alone because of high swell potential and low residual unconfined compressive strength demonstrated in the 10-day capillary soak evaluation. The combination of lime and fly ash proved to be the best stabilizer for the high sulfate content sample, provided that special precautions are given during the mix design and construction process. The effective stabilization for the soil with moderate sulfate content could be achieved using cement, lime-fly ash, or lime-slag. The lime-slag seemed to be the best stabilizer in terms of residual unconfined compressive strength and three-dimensional swell measurements. Although cement can be used to stabilize this soil, special precautions are needed to avoid sulfate-induced heaving problems.

Monograph Accession #:

01020180

Report/Paper Numbers:

06-2265

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Herrera, Caroline
Si, Zhiming
Leidy, Joe

Pagination:

16p

Publication Date:

2006

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 85th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2006-1-22 to 2006-1-26
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

CD-ROM

Features:

Figures (10) ; References (7)

Subject Areas:

Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2006 Paper #06-2265

Files:

BTRIS, PRP, TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Mar 3 2006 10:56AM