Stabilization of Colombian lateritic soil with a hydrophobic compound (organosilane)

Abstract

In Vichada state, Colombia, the lack of suitable construction road materials has forced the local authorities to use local materials, such as laterite, that has not been yet completely studied, and doesn’t comply with the current regulations for road construction. In this research, the improvement of the mechanical behaviour of a lateritic material from Vichada state was determined, after the addition of a hydrophobic compound (organosilane). Basic mechanical and chemical characterizations of the natural material were carried out. The grain seize distribution was manufactured for each test, to guarantee homogeneity for all samples. Properties such as maximum dry density, unsoaked and soaked CBR, permeability coefficient (k) and soil water characteristics curves were investigated for the natural soil (RP1) and compared with the stabilized soil with the addition of 1 l/m3 organosilane (RP1OS). Tests of unsoaked and soaked CBR were compared within the natural soil (RP1) and the stabilized soil (RP1OS), the stabilized soil (RP1OS) achieved 533% higher soaked CBR values. Likewise, there was a decrease in the k permeability coefficient of 41% with respect to the natural material.