Soil Stabilization for Dirt Roads

The prime objective of soil stabilization for dirt roads is to improve on-site materials to create a solid and strong sub-base and base courses. In certain regions of the world, typically developing countries and now more frequently in developed countries, soil stabilization is being used to construct the entire road. Soil stabilization for dirt roads is a way of improving the weight bearing capabilities and performance of in-situ sub-soils, sands, and other waste materials in order to strengthen road surfaces. The prime objective of soil stabilization is to improve the California Bearing Ratio of in-situ soils by 4 to 6 times

Soil stabilization technology has evolved, there have now emerged new types of soil stabilization techniques, many of which are classified as “green technologies”.

Some of the ‘green technologies’ present in AggreBind are: enzymes, surfactants, biopolymers, synthetic polymers, co-polymer based products, cross-linking copolymers, tree resins, ionic stabilizers, fiber reinforcement, calcium chloride, sodium chloride and more. These new stabilizing techniques create hydrophobic surfaces and mass that prevent prevents road failure from water penetration or heavy frosts by inhibiting the ingress of water into the treated layer.

However, recent technology has increased the number of traditional additives used for soil stabilization purposes. Such non-traditional stabilizers include: Polymers Based Products (e.g. cross-linking water-based copolymers that significantly improves the load-bearing capacity and tensile strength of treated soils for stabilization), Copolymer Based Products, fiber reinforcement, calcium chloride, and Sodium Chloride.

Traditionally and widely accepted types of soil stabilization for dirt roads techniques use products such as bitumen emulsions which can be used as a binding agents for producing a road base. However, bitumen is not environmentally friendly and becomes brittle when it dries out. Cement has been used as an alternative to soil stabilization. However, this can often be expensive and is not a very good “green” alternative.

There are advantages and disadvantages to many of these soil stabilizers.

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has explored some of the newer types of soil stabilization technology, specifically looking for “effective and green” alternatives. AggreBind utilizes new soil stabilization technology, a process based on cross-linking copolymer. Another example of the AggreBind product uses long crystals to create a closed cell formation that is impermeable to water and is frost, acid, and salt resistant.

Utilizing new soil stabilization technology with AggreBind, a process of cross-linking within the polymeric formulation can replace traditional road/house construction methods in an environmentally friendly and effective way.

soil stabilization for dirt roads

Peru: Mountain Road soil stabilization Installation: Private Access entry road for a new housing development  that will include houses, made from bricks, using locally available soils and soil stabilized with AggreBind.

Environmentally friendly, cost effective, self help, community developments.

Transforming  rural dirt roads into highways to prosperity

Dust free
Safer
Affordable Healthier
Creates development opportunities
Improves crop yields
Reduces vehicle wear and maintenance
Less accidents

soil stabilization
AggreBind soil stabilization and dust control

Mountain Road Evaluation – soil stabilization for dirt roads

Procedures and dosage rates for soil stabilizing dirt roads in mountainous areas that are subjected to seismic activity and extreme weather conditions

soil stabilization for dirt roads

CRITERIA: Use of insitu materials
Increase load-bearing capacity by 4-6 times
Reduce use of aggregates

USAGE: Rural roads, secondary and tertiary roads

PREPARATION: Grade the road surface and remove any stone larger than 20mm.
Ensure that the road is graded for drainage.
Do not install the AggreBind if rain or frost is likely to occur within 4 hours.

DOSAGE RATES:

Soil Stabilizing: 3 parts water mixed with 1 part AggreBind
Spray Rate: 2 ltrs per sq mtr.
Surface Seal: 3 parts water mixed with 1 part AggreBind
Spray Rate: 1 ltr per sq mtr.

COMPACTION: In unstable areas use a ‘dead weight’ road roller with no vibration.
In stable area use a vibration road roller.
Do not compact after surface sealing.

ROAD REPAIRS: AggreBind has a bond-back capability and potholes/other damaged areas can be repaired with hand tools. Maintenance teams can be recruited from the local population.
AggreBind is also available in a variety of colours and this could provide additional safety features in areas with no lighting.

COST: Based on the above a 1klm X 6 mtr wide road would only require  a total of 4500 ltrs AggreBind  plus 13,500 ltrs water.

EQUIPMENT: 1 Road grader and 1X10,000 ltr standard spray truck. Road Roller.

AggreBind soil stabilization and dust control
The complete soil stabilizing for Dirt roads and line marking solution for dangerous mountain roads

Durable safe roads can now be constructed from virtually any on-site material.
Roads can be installed in any color.
Roads can easily be maintained and repaired using only hand tools.
Dust can be suppressed to improve vision. This results in a road that is safer for drivers and pedestrians. Road markings can be applied in any color using the same AggreBind polymer. Many of these soil stabilized roads are in developing counties and are vital for the transportation of goods to and from local communities.

In mountainous countries soil stabilizing roads are also an important factor in the development of tourism.

AggreBind roads are:

  • quick and easy to install
  • extremely cost effective
  • durable and easy to maintain
  • environmentally friendly

ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE AND EXTREMELY COST EFFECTIVE.

soil stabilization for dirt roads

AggreBind soil stabilization and dust control
Protocol for Training Session in Haiti

The test road for soil stabilization can be done in two sections, Side 1 and Side 2.

The basic equipment needed is a ripper, water-spraying truck, grader for working in, mixing in, the sprayed AggreBind and Vibration Roller.  If a stone crusher is available it is a good machine to use in the ripping stage and the mixing-in stage.

soil stabilization for dirt roads

Day One:

Assess equipment to be used and review work flow of tasks.
Prepare schedule: We will begin on Side 1, as this is the higher ground and pitches toward the right.  In the event of rain, the run-off would flow towards the ditch on the right-hand side of the road.

Sequence of Procedures are:

  • Rip road to a depth of 15cm.
  • Remove all rocks greater that 3cm.
    • If stone crushing equipment is available then it should be used at this point.
  • Apply AggreBind based on 4 liters per m3.
    • Mixed with +/- 24 ltrs water (estimated) to reach OMC, optimum moisture content.  (We may test for OMC before we begin.)
    • Flow rate to be determined at +/- 4.2 ltrs per sq mtr based on depth of  15cm.
  • Mix AGB in to ripped road with appropriate equipment, i.e. grader or similar.
    • Work and grade the road soil as needed to ensure complete mixing and road profile.
  • Use vibration compactor.
  • Apply AggreBind topseal at a rate of 0.25ltr/m2, mixed with 0.75 ltrs water.  Flow rate is 1ltr/ m2.
  • Do not compact.
  • Road can be opened in two hours.  It is ideal to wait overnight.
  • Thoroughly rinse out spraying equipment to prevent blockage of spray heads. 

Day Two:

Essentially it is a repeat of Day One.

Sequence of Procedures are:

  • Rip the untreated road area to a depth of 15cm.
  • Remove all rocks greater that 3cm.
    • If stone crushing equipment is available then it should be used at this point.
  • Apply AggreBind based on 4 liters per m3.
    • Mixed with +/- 24 ltrs water (estimated) to reach OMC, optimum moisture content.  (We may test for OMC before we begin.)
  • Mix AGB in to ripped road with appropriate equipment, i.e. grader or similar.
    • Work and grade the road soil as needed to ensure complete mixing and road profile.
  • Use vibration compactor.
  • Apply AggreBind topseal at a rate of 0.25ltr/m2, mixed with 0.75 ltrs water.  Flow rate is 1ltr/ m2.
  • Overlap Side 1 and Side 2 when applying the topseal.
  • Do not compact.
  • Road can be opened in two hours.  It is ideal to wait overnight.
  • Thoroughly rinse out spraying equipment to prevent blockage of spray heads.
AggreBind soil stabilization and dust control

Rural Soil Stabilization Road Maintenance by locally trained people provides:

Safer roads
Cost effective road repairs and maintenance.
Healthier and safer communities.
Reductions in maintenance costs for vehicles.
Work opportunities.
Added incentives for the creation of micro- industries and tourism.
Application of road edge marking with various AggreBind colors.
Local weather reports.
Removal of loose stones etc
Collection of discarded rubbish.
Placement of warning signs.
Economically viable solutions for safer roads

Rural road soil stabilized pothole repairs
plus dust and erosion control services.

Equipment: Soil Stabilized Pothole repairs.

  • Basic equipment:
    • Pick, Shovel, Watering Can, Hand Tamper, Road repair signs and 50 ltrs AggreBind mixed with 150 ltrs water.
  • Procedure:
    • Break the soil to form a square, 15cm deep and slightly larger than the damaged area. Spray the surfaces of the hole with the AggreBind/water mixture. Obtain some additional soil from the areas at the side of the road and add the AggreBind/water before mixing thoroughly. Do the ‘squeeze in the hand test’ to ensure that the moisture level is correct.
  • Fill the exposed pothole and compact thoroughly with the hand tamper.
  • Spray the compacted surface with the AggreBind/water mixture ensuring that you spray about one hand width past the edge of the repaired pothole.
  • Do not carry out repairs if rain is expected within 2 hours.

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