Experimental Investigation on Bitumen Emulsion Used in Gravel Road Stabilization

Authors- Veerendra K Shama, Hariram Sahu

Abstract-This experimental study investigates the use of cationic medium-setting (CMS) bitumen emulsion in stabilizing gravel soils to improve their strength for road subgrade applications. Gravel soil, often used in road construction, typically requires stabilization to enhance its load-bearing capacity. The study examines the effects of CMS bitumen emulsion combined with small amounts of cement on the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and other key engineering properties of gravel soil. Laboratory tests were conducted, varying mixing conditions, compaction efforts, and curing times. The results showed that the addition of CMS bitumen emulsion, particularly with 3% bitumen emulsion and 2% cement, significantly improved the soil’s CBR values and dry density, indicating enhanced subgrade strength. The best results were observed under Case D conditions, where the soil was mixed with 3% bitumen emulsion and 2% cement and allowed to rest for 5 hours before testing. The stabilization process proved to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and suitable for locally available gravel soils, providing a more economical and efficient alternative to traditional stabilization methods. This approach offers reduced pavement structural thickness and can contribute to sustainable road infrastructure development, particularly in regions with limited resources or high material costs. The study highlights the potential of bitumen emulsion as a sustainable and effective solution for improving the mechanical properties of gravel soils, especially for rural roads and low-traffic areas.

DOI: /10.61463/ijset.vol.12.issue6.392