Development of Environmentally Friendly Stabilization Methods for Transport Infrastructure Based on Geopolymers

In recent years, the use of geopolymers has received much attention as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical additives since they can be processed at room temperatures from aqueous solutions of waste materials (e.g. fly ash) or abounded natural sources (e.g. clay). The objective of the proposed research is to develop an environmental and eco-friendly solution using Geopolymers for stabilizing bases and subgrades. Research tasks include the material aspects and pavement engineering performance aspects of the treated soils and bases. The effects of Geopolymer composition, dosage rates, curing time and temperature on overall properties of Geopolymer stabilized base and subgrade materials will be studied in order to optimize the use of Geopolymers derived from local waste and natural materials. Both material characterization studies related to micro to macro behavioral changes have to be evaluated as a part of this research. A comprehensive study of processing-structure relationship including structural characterization Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Water Absorption Index (WAI), thermal expansion, and others have to be linked to engineering soil properties including shear strength, resilient moduli, volume change and durability characteristics. During the implementation phase, sustainable, resiliency and life cycle analysis of these treatments will be evaluated. This study would provide major benefits in the design of durable and distress free pavement infrastructure in problematic soil conditions that prevail in Texas and other regional states.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • 17GTTAM02

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $170000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747106

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET)

  Louisiana State University
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803
• Project Managers:

  Karaman, Ibrahim

  Puppala, Anand

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M University, College Station

  318 Jack K. Williams Administration Building
  College Station, TX  United States  77843

  University of Texas, Arlington

  Dept. of Civil Engineering
  Box 19308
  Arlington, TX  United States  76019
• Principal Investigators:

  Radovic, Miladin

  Puppala, Anand

• Start Date: 20170508
• Expected Completion Date: 20181108
• Actual Completion Date: 20181108
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Durability; Geopolymer concrete; Moisture content; Pavements; Shear strength; Stabilized materials; Subgrade (Pavements); Thermal expansion
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01635029
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET)
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747106
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: May 21 2017 1:54PM