Resilient modulus and influencing factors of vertical vibration compacted cement-stabilized macadam

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the resilient modulus of vertical vibration compacted cement-stabilized macadam (CSM). The reliability of the vertical vibration compaction method (VVCM) for CSM was verified. Then the influences of four factors on the resilient modulus were studied and a resilient modulus prediction equation was proposed. Subsequently, the influences of aggregate type, cement dosage, and gradation on the initial and ultimate resilient moduli were studied. Results show that compared to the quasi-static-compaction method, the VVCM has a smaller influence on the optimum water content and aggregate gradation, and VVCM specimens have a higher correlation with the on-site cores. The increase of cement dosages and curing times can improve the resilient modulus and the proposed prediction equation can accurately predict the resilient modulus growth of the CSM. When the cement dosage and aggregate gradation are identical, the initial and ultimate resilient moduli of the cement-stabilized limestone are the largest, followed by the cement-stabilized granite and sandstone. The initial and ultimate resilient moduli of the CSM increase linearly as the cement dosage increases. Moreover, the skeleton-dense gradation helps to improve the initial and ultimate resilient moduli of the CSM. This study provides guidance for the design and construction of a CSM base.