The Prediction of Cement-Polymer Stabilized Road Base Strength from the Free-free Resonance Testing Result

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between the free-free frequency resonant test results and the performance of cement-polymer stabilized soil. Two types of polymers are used in this research, which are the Styrene Acrylic (SA) polymer and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR). The crushed rock material is employed as the parent material and represent conventional road base. The optimum amount of cement and polymer will be determined based on the Department of Highways standard by considering the liquid polymer as water. The prepared samples will be cured in the closed container, at room temperature, for 7, 14, 28 and 60 days. After that, the free-free frequency resonant test will be conducted prior to the strength tests. The strength tests conducted in this research include Unconfined Compressive Strength test (UCS) and the Indirect Tensile Strength Test (IDT). The test results indicate that sample to length ratio (D/L) affects the strength of cement-polymer stabilized soil. The additional of SBR improves the indirect tensile strength of cement-stabilized soil, while the additional of SA results in strength drop. At the final stage of this research, the strength prediction equation from the shear wave velocity was developed.