The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of shrinkage crack mitigation techniques for soil cement base course. Ten test sections were constructed on LA 89, State Project number 397-04-0004. Each test section was 1,000 feet long. The shrinkage crack mitigation methods that were addressed included cement contents of 9 and 5 percent, base thicknesses of 8.5 and 12 in., fibers contents of 0.1 and 0.05 percent, interlayers, curing membranes, and curing periods. Performance to cost evaluations for each test section relative to the control section indicated that the 5percent cement treated test section (TS 4) was the top ranking section while the 5 percent cement treated section with 0.1 percent fibers (TS 5) provided the least benefit because of its cost. Due to the higher cost, fibers are economically unfeasible to use as a reflective crack mitigation method for soil cement base courses. Of the sections evaluated in this study, the 5 percent cement treated section (TS 4) proved to be the best option for mitigating reflective cracks.
Samenvatting