Laboratory evaluation of TX- ProChem as an ionic liquid stabilizer

Abstract

Chemical treatment of pavement and foundation soil was conducted to improve workability during compaction, to increase the strength and stiffness of a foundation layer, and to reduce potential shrink and swell due to moisture changes and/or frost action. In this study, a commercial liquid ionic stabilizer (Tx ProChem) was evaluated based on its effectiveness to reduce swell potential and improve the strength of Texas expansive clay. This study also evaluated selected, representative liquid chemical stabilizers’ effect on expansive clay soil. The research presented herein assesses how much the chemical treatments changed the relevant engineering properties of the test soil as an indicator of the potential effectiveness of selected products. The effect of curing time on compressive strength and the swell potential of treated soil was analyzed. A mineralogy test was developed to identify the dominating clay mineral in a studied soil and to designate the mineral quantification of untreated soil. According to the basic tests, soil was classified as high plastic clay with 77% passing sieve 200. Tx ProChem test results showed a reduction in swell potential and maximum dry density of the soil samples due to addition of stabilizer. Maximum dry density decreased with an increase in stabilizer content.