Forensic Investigation of Pavement Premature Failure due to Soil Sulfate-Induced Heave

Abstract

Current practice does not recommend stabilizing high sulfate-bearing soils using calcium-based stabilizers due to high potential swell and low retained unconfined compressive strength. In this technical note, a series of tests has demonstrated that a combination of lime and fly ash (Class F) proved to be the most suitable stabilizer for a high sulfate-bearing soil, and a combination of lime and slag seemed to be the most effective stabilizer for a moderate sulfate-bearing soil in terms of retained unconfined compressive strength and three-dimensional free swell potential.