Stabilized Dune Sand for Road Foundation Layers - Case of the Dune Sand of the Region of Djelfa (Algeria)

Abstract

The aim of the work presented in this paper is the valorisation of dune sand, which is abundant in Djelfa (Algeria). This study consists of valorizing a local material in road foundation layers. Several stages will be considered in this investigation. A method of formulation of the mixtures has been proposed, which is based on the stabilization of the studied dune sand using a hydraulic binder and a granular corrector. For each mixture, the optimum Proctor, the compressive strength with and without immersion and the tensile strength have been determined. After that an analysis of the results was made in order to examine the influence of the stabilizing agent proportioning on the physical and mechanical characteristics of mixtures. A correlation between mechanical properties of the stabilized dune sand and the maximum dry density were proposed. The stabilized sand was classified according to current standards, the optimal formulation is then selected, on which additional tests were carried out. The results obtained show that the formulation selected has sufficient performances to be used in road foundation layers.