Characterization of chemical compaction aids for fine-graned soils

Mechanical stabilization is the most common and important methodof soil improvement techniques. In ancient times, it was customaryto compact fills to be used as dams or levees. Paved roads existed inEgypt several thousand years before Christianity is a good evidencethat ancient engineers used soil densification as a method for soilimprovement (38) .Since R. Proctor discovered the important relationship betweensoil density, moisture content, and compactive effort, many researchwere directed toward improving the density characteristics of the soilby means of chemical stabilization to decrease the settlement andincrease the strength of the soil (24).Statement of the ProblemNowadays, the growth of highway construction increases th~ demandfor rapid development of the compaction technology to satisfy the re-quirements of both economy and efficiency. To meet this demand, variouscommercial chemical additives have appeared on market, which haveb~en promoted as chemical compaction aids. The manufacturers claimedthat these chemicals increase the densification and strength andimprove the compactability of the soils at less water content andcompacting effort than compaction without treatment. This approachbecame attractive to many soil engineers since it is an easy way toimprove the soil engineering performance at lower cost. Unfortunately