Mechanical properties of natural lateritic soil and stabilized with lime and polymer

ABSTRACT

The mechanistic analysis of pavements involves determining structural responses based on the principles of Mechanics, calculating stresses, strains, and displacements while considering the properties of constituent materials, the geometry of the structure, boundary conditions, and the applied loading. This approach is fundamental for understanding pavement behavior under different loading conditions, enabling the prediction of failures and the optimization of structural performance. The deformability of the materials composing the pavement and their stress-strain relationships are critical aspects of structural analysis. The importance of resilient modulus (MR) and permanent deformation (PD) tests to evaluate the behavior of mixtures. These tests provide essential data on the elastic and plastic responses of materials, which directly influence the pavement's ability to withstand repeated loads over time. In this context, this study evaluated the mechanical performance, of a fine lateritic soil stabilized with lime and industrial acrylic polymer, following the Universal Classification Methodology for Lateritic Soils (CUSL). Tests were conducted for CBR, tensile strength, unconfined compressive strength and resilient modulus. Stabilization with lime, using the most economical content, provided significant strength gains, with the best performance observed after 28 days of curing. The results demonstrated that curing time directly influences the strength of stabilized soils, with longer periods resulting in substantial improvements in mechanical properties. Among the polymer contents studied, the SLC + PL5% mixture stood out for its superior performance in all evaluated mechanical properties, reinforcing the technical feasibility of using alternative stabilizers in pavement engineering.

Keywords:
Mechanical Properties; soil stabilization; paving