Airfields and Roads Construction Using Fiber Stabilization of Sands

Abstract

This paper describes laboratory and field tests conducted using a new fiber stabilization technique for sands. Laboratory unconfined compression tests using 51 mm long monofilament polypropylene fibers to stabilize a poorly graded (SP) sand showed an optimum fiber content of 1% (by dry weight). Field test sections were constructed and traffic tested using simulated C-130 aircraft traffic with a 13,608 kg tire load at 690 kPa tire pressure and a 4,536 kg military cargo truck loaded to a gross weight of 18,870 kg. Test results showed that sand-fiber stabilization over a sand subgrade supported over 1,000 passes of a C-130 tire load with less than 51 mm of rutting. The top 102 mm of the sand-fiber layer was lightly stabilized with tree resin to provide a wearing surface. Based on limited truck traffic tests, 203 mm thick sand-fiber layer, surfaced with a spray application of tree resin, would support substantial amounts of military truck traffic.