Organic Enzyme Treatment Of Granular Material For Use In Road Pavements

Abstract

The treatment of granular materials with additives is a technique used to increase the bearing capacity of materials that, by complying with the specifications required for their use in the construction of bases or subbases of road pavements, further increase their strength and, therefore, reduce the thickness of the structural layers. However, this technique can also improve the performance of materials that do not meet these specifications, making them suitable for use in road structures. Traditionally, materials such as cement, lime and other additives have been used. However, with the evolution of technologies, a new component has been introduced: the organic enzyme, available under various brand names worldwide. This innovation seeks to improve the bearing capacity of natural soil, reducing the costs associated with the transportation of quarry materials. In this research, a treatment was applied to a granular material with a CBR resistance of 42.3% in its natural state, with a plastic index higher than 12%. An enzymatic additive was used, following the manufacturer's technical specifications, applying 1 ml of additive per 6000 grams of loose material. As a result, the CBR resistance of the soil improved significantly, reaching 68.8%. To corroborate its effects, a second experiment was carried out, increasing the amount of additive to 3 ml per 6000 grams of material. This modification led to an even greater increase in the CBR resistance, which reached 93.4%, classifying the material as having a very good bearing capacity.