Weak or vulnerable soils can decrease the strength of a road pavement base. New research illustrates proprietary base stabilization additives could provide stronger, more durable pavements.
Laboratory and field testing over two years allowed researchers to determine optimal application rates and design specifications for using stabilizing additives in certain road reconstruction methods. Five pavement test sections compared different stabilizing products and a section without base stabilizer. Performance monitoring and an economic analysis showed the stabilized pavement sections were stronger after two years and were estimated to have lower overall life cycle costs. New pavement design standards incorporating these results can support more sustainable, cost-effective roads.