A study of the performance of aggregate road surfaces treated with nonstandard stabilizers is described. Over 100 mi of road surfacing in a broad range of environments was treated with three general types of stabilizers: (a) pozzolans, (b) bioenzymes, and (c) an electrolyte. These stabilizers are byproducts of other industries and aregenerally unknown to road builders. When used appropriately, they have been found to be more effective than standard stabilizers. Factors considered in the evaluation included the aggregate gradation, types of failures reduced or eliminated, improvement in surfacing resilience, and economic benefits. The cost of application of these stabilizers was found to be comparable to the cost of aggregate replacement. The stabilization effected is permanent and long lasting. The benefits include substantial reductions in aggregate loss, reduced maintenance frequency, and improved road serviceability. Sources, recommended application percentages, and methods of application and mixing are described for each stabilizer. Several test or demonstration road sections are also discussed for each. Data on clegg impact values obtained from these roads are presented. It is concluded that substantial economic and service benefits are to be realized from the use of these stabilizers. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1291, Fifth international conference on low-volume roads, may 19-23, 1991, raleigh, north carolina, volume 2.
Abstract