Impact of Natural Rubber Latex on the Properties of Cement-Treated Base

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of natural rubber latex emulsion on the engineering properties of cement-treated base using lateritic soil and crushed rock from southern Thailand. The materials were mixed with Type I Portland cement at 0–5% by dry weight and latex emulsion at 0–20% by water weight. Laboratory tests included unconfined compressive strength (UCS), modulus of elasticity (E₅₀), and water absorption. The results showed that adding 5–10% latex significantly improved both UCS and E₅₀. The optimal mixture for lateritic soil was 5% cement and 10% latex, yielding the highest UCS of 8.08 MPa and E₅₀ of 5.98 MPa. The latex also reduced water absorption effectively; for instance, the mixture with 2% cement and 20% latex provided the lowest absorption value of 0.35 %. However, latex contents above 15% tended to decrease performance due to excessive viscosity. Therefore, the mix of 5% cement and 10% latex is recommended for enhancing strength, flexibility, and moisture resistance, suitable for rural road construction.