User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in

Pavement Construction

STABILIZED BASE Application Description

INTRODUCTION

The term stabilized base, presented in this section, refers to a class of paving materials that
are mixtures of one or more sources of aggregate and cementitious material(s) blended with a
sufficient amount of water, that result in a mixture having a moist, nonplastic consistency that
can be compacted to form a dense mass and gain strength. This class of base or subbase
materials is not meant to include the stabilization of soils or aggregates using asphalt cement
or emulsified asphalt.

Soil-cement (or cement-treated base) is probably the earliest example of a stabilized base
material. Roller-compacted concrete, which is similar to, but more granular than soil-cement, is
another type of stabilized base product. Probably the most frequently used type of stabilized
base materials are the basic lime (and/or cement)-fly ash-aggregate family of mixtures, which
can use many different combinations of reagents(s) and aggregate(s) together with coal fly
ash. Calcium chloride has also been used to a lesser degree in some of the warmer regions of
the country for mechanical stabilization of dense-graded aggregate base courses.

The purpose of a stabilized base or subbase layer is to provide a transitional load-bearing

strata between the pavement layer, which directly receives the wheel loadings of vehicular
traffic, and the underlying subgrade soil. Stabilized base or subbase materials may be used to
provide support for either flexible or rigid pavements, but are more frequently used with flexible
pavements.

Stabilized base or subbase materials are either mixed in place at the job site, or are
mechanically combined in a mixing plant and transported to the site. These materials are
spread evenly in loose layers on a prepared subgrade or subbase using either a blade-grader
bulldozer, spreader box, or paving machine. Once the material has been spread, it is then
densified by means of conventional rollers of compaction equipment.

MATERIALS

The components of a stabilized base or subbase mixture include aggregate, cementitious

materials, and water.

Aggregates

Aggregates comprise the major portion of stabilized base. Normally, between 80 to 95 percent
by weight of a stabilized base or subbase mix may consist of aggregates. A wide range of
different types and gradations of aggregates have been used in stabilized base and subbase
mixtures. These include conventional aggregate sources, such as crushed stone or sand and
gravel, and other aggregate materials, such as blast furnace slag, recycled paving materials,
and bottom ash or boiler slag from coal-fired power plants. Reclaimed pavement materials
have also been successfully recycled into stabilized base and subbase mixtures, as have
some marginal aggregates. Aggregates used should have the proper particle size, shape,
gradation, and particle strength to contribute to a mechanically stable mixture.

Cementitious Materials

The key to strength development in stabilized base or subbase mixtures is in the matrix that
binds the aggregate particles together. The strength of the matrix is affected by the
cementitious material used in the mixture. The amount of cementitious material in a stabilized
base or subbase mix usually ranges from 5 to 10 percent by weight of the mix, but may in
some cases comprise as much as up to 20 percent by weight if a lighter weight aggregate is
used.

A number of different cementitious materials have been successfully used to bind or solidify
the aggregate particles in stabilized base or subbase mixtures. The material that has been
most frequently used is Portland cement

In some parts of the United States, mainly west of the Mississippi River, fly ash from the
burning of sub-bituminous coal is widely available and, because it exhibits self-cementing
characteristics when mixed with water, it can be used by itself with no other cementitious
material to bind aggregate particles together.

Coal fly ash, produced during the combustion of bituminous coal, is frequently used in
stabilized base mixtures. Since this type of fly ash is a pozzolan, the mixtures in which it is
used are often referred to as pozzolanic stabilized base (PSB) mixtures. Pozzolans are
materials composed of amorphous siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material in a finely
divided (powdery) form (similar in size to Portland cement particles) that will, in the presence
of water, react with an activator to form compounds possessing cementitious properties.
Pozzolan activators are alkaline materials that contain calcium and magnesium compounds
present in sufficient amounts to chemically react in the presence of water with the silicate and
aluminates in the pozzolan. Descriptions of various kinds of pozzolans and their specifications
are provided in ASTM C618.

In PSB compositions, the fly ash is usually used in combination with either lime, Portland
cement, or kiln dust, plus water, to form the matrix that cements the aggregate particles
together. When used with a chemical reagent, this type of fly ash normally comprises between
10 and 20 percent by weight of a stabilized base or subbase mix. When used with lighter
weight aggregates (such as coal bottom ash), the percentage of fly ash may be as high as 30
percent or more.

MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND TESTING METHODS

Aggregates

Aggregates used in stabilized base and subbase mixtures play a major role in determining the
quality and performance of stabilized base and subbase mixtures. Aggregate materials used in
these types of mixtures must be properly graded and possess good to adequate particle
shape, strength, and integrity.
AASHTO, in conjunction with the Association of General Contractors (AGC) and the American
Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), has published a Guide Specification
for Pozzolanic Stabilized Mixture (PSM) Base Course or Subbase (see reference section).
This guide specification recommends quality requirements for aggregates.

The following is a list and brief comments on some of the more important properties of
aggregates that are used in stabilized base and subbase mixes:

 Gradation – a wide range of aggregate sizes and gradations have been used in
stabilized base and subbase mixtures. A number of different aggregate gradations
may be considered, provided mixture design data for strength and durability can be
furnished that indicates that such mixtures are capable of satisfying applicable
strength and durability criteria. To maximize mix density, minimize void spaces, and
not compromise the durability of the stabilized base mix, it has been recommended by
the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and others that at least 55 percent of the
aggregate used be finer than 4.75 mm (No. 4 sieve).
 Abrasion Resistance – aggregate particles in stabilized base and subbase mixtures
must possess sufficient particle strength to resist degradation and breakdown during
construction and under repeated traffic loadings.
 Durability – aggregates used in stabilized bases and subbases must be sound and
durable and able to meet the soundness quality requirements.
 Unit Weight – the unit weight of the aggregate used in stabilized base and subbase
mixtures is an indicator of the compacted density of the mix containing this aggregate.
 Deleterious Substances – aggregates used in stabilized base and subbase mixtures
should be reasonably free of deleterious substances, such as clay, shale, coal, coke,
vegetation, or other debris.
 Plasticity – the fraction of the aggregate that passes the No. 40 sieve should have a
liquid limit no greater than 25 and a plasticity index less than 4 (essentially nonplastic).

Standard test methods typically used to assess the suitability of conventional aggregate
materials for use in stabilized base and subbase applications are listed in Table 24-10.

Table 24-10. Stabilized base and subbase aggregate test procedures

Property Test Method Reference

Materials for Aggregate and Soil-
Aggregate Subbase, Base and Surface AASHTO M147
General Courses
Specifications
Graded Aggregate Material for Bases or
ASTM D2940
Subbases for Highways or Airports
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse ASTM C136/AASHTO
Aggregates T27
Gradation
Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge ASTM D448/AASHTO
Construction M43
Index of Aggregate Particle Shape and
ASTM D3398
Texture
Particle Shape
Flat and Elongated Particles in Coarse
ASTM D4791
Aggregate
Abrasion Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size
ASTM C535
Resistance Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
 Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size
ASTM C131/AASHTO
Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and
T96
Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
Soundness of Aggregates by Use of ASTM C88/AASHTO
Soundness
Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate T104
ASTM
Unit Weight Unit Weight and Voids in Aggregate C29/C29M/AASHTO
T19
Sand Equivalent Value of Soils and Fine
Deleterious Aggregate
ASTM D2419
Components (Indirect measure of clay content of
aggregate mixes)
Liquid and Liquid Limit, Plastic Plasticity Index of
ASTM D4318
Plastic Limit Soils

Cementitious Materials

Cementitious materials used in stabilized base and subbase mixes must be capable of
reacting to bind the particles of aggregate together into a stable mass that is able to support
imposed wheel loadings and resist the deteriorating effects of climate and water. Some of the
more important properties of cementitious materials used in a stabilized base application
include:

 Fineness – the fineness of the cement or supplementary cementitious materials

affects heat release and rate of hydration. Finer materials react faster, with a
corresponding increase in early strength development. Fineness also influences
workability, since the finer the material, the greater the surface area and frictional
resistance of the plastic mixture.
 Setting Time – the setting time for the cement paste is an indication of the rate at
which hydration reactions are occurring and strength is developing.
 Compressive Strength – compressive strength is influenced by cement composition
and fineness. Compressive strengths for different cements or cement blends are
established by compressive strength testing of mortar cubes.
 Specific Gravity – specific gravity is not an indication of the quality of the cement, but
is required for concrete mix design calculations.

Table 24-11 provides a list of standard laboratory tests that are presently used to evaluate the
mix design or expected performance of cementitious materials for use in stabilized base
mixtures.

The most important properties of fly ash (or other pozzolans) used in stabilized base mixtures
include:

 Fineness – the fly ash particles must be fine enough to provide sufficient surface area
and for reaction with Portland cement or other activators (such as lime, lime kiln dust,
or cement kiln dust) and to enhance the flowability of the flowable fill mix.
 Pozzolanic Activity – pozzolanic fly ash must be composed of a sufficient amount of
silica and alumina to react chemically with available calcium to form cementitious
compounds, while self-cementing fly ash must contain sufficient calcium and
 magnesium silicate and aluminates to develop strength in the presence of water.

Table 24-11. Cementitious materials test procedures.

Property Test Method Reference

ASTM
Portland Cement
C150
ASTM
Blended Hydraulic Cement
General C595
Specifications ASTM
Expansive Hydraulic Cement
C845
ASTM
Pozzolan Use as a Mineral Admixture
C618
ASTM
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the 150 mm (No. C184/
100) and 75 mm (No. 200) Sieves AASHTO
T128
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement and Raw Materials by
ASTM
the 300 mm (No. 50), 150 mm (No. 100) and 75 mm
C786
(No. 200) Sieves by Wet Methods
ASTM
Fineness of Hydraulic Cement by the 45 mm (No. C430/
Fineness 325) Sieve AASHTO
T192
ASTM
Fineness of Portland Cement by Air Permeability C204/
Apparatus AASHTO
T153
ASTM
C115/
Fineness of Portland Cement by the Turbidimeter
AASHTO
T98
ASTM
C191/
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Vicat Needle
AASHTO
T131
ASTM
Setting Time
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement by Gillmore C266/
Needles AASHTO
T154
Time of Setting of Hydraulic Cement Mortar by ASTM
Modified Vicat Needle C807
ASTM
Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars C109/
Compressive (Using 2-in. or 50 mm Cube Specimens) AASHTO
Strength T106
Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars ASTM
(Using Portions of Prisms Broken in Flexure) C349
 ASTM
C188/
Specific Gravity Density of Hydraulic Cement
AASHTO
T133

Table 24-12 lists applicable test methods that contain criteria for evaluating the suitability of fly
ash for use in stabilized base and subbase mixtures.

Table 24-12. Pozzolan test procedures.

Property Test Method Reference

General ASTM
Fly Ash and Other Pozzolans for Use with Lime
Specification C593
Sampling and Testing Fly Ash or Natural Pozzolans
ASTM
Fineness for Use as Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement
C311
Concrete
Pozzolanic Characterization of Fly Ash for Use in Soil ASTM
Activity Stabilization C311

STABILIZED BASE OR SUBBASE MIXTURES

The mix proportions for a properly designed stabilized base or subbase mixture are
determined in the laboratory during mix design testing. To perform properly in the field, a well-
designed stabilized base or subbase mixture must be properly compacted and be capable of
developing sufficient strength and durability to meet or exceed design criteria. Properly
designed stabilized base or subbase materials should be evaluated for the following
properties:

 Compressive Strength – this refers to the ability of a well-compacted stabilized base

mixture to develop a specified minimum level of unconfined compressive strength
under specified curing conditions.
 Durability – this refers to the ability of a well-compacted stabilized base mixture to
resist the deteriorating effects of cyclic freezing and thawing, and/or wetting and
drying, once the material has achieved its design strength.
 Maximum Dry Density – the maximum density or compacted unit weight of a
stabilized base mixture that has been compacted at or very close to optimum moisture
content using prescribed laboratory compaction procedures.
 Optimum Moisture – the moisture content at which the maximum dry density of a
stabilized base mixture is achieved in the laboratory using prescribed compaction
procedures.
 Compacted Density – the actual in-place density of a stabilized base material that
has been compacted in the field according to project specifications.
 Volumetric Stability – this refers to the ability of a well-compacted stabilized base
material to maintain its volumetric dimensions and resist potentially expansive
chemical reactions after placement and compaction.
 Resilient Modulus – this property defines the relationship between repeated axial
stress applied to a base or subbase material and the deformation response of the
material and can be used in multi layered pavement design.
Table 24-13 provides a list of standard laboratory test methods that are used to evaluate the
mix design properties and/or performance characteristics of stabilized base or subbase
mixtures.

Table 24-13. Stabilized base and subbase material test procedures.

Property Test Method Reference

Fly Ash and Other Pozzolans for use with Lime ASTM C593
Compressive
Strength Making and Curing Soil-Cement Compression
ASTM D1632
and Flexure Test Specimens in the Laboratory
Fly Ash and Other Pozzolans for use with Lime ASTM C593
Freeze-Thaw
Durability Freezing and Thawing Tests of Compacted
ASTM D560
Soil-Cement Mixtures
Moisture-Density Relations of Soils and Soil-
Aggregate Mixtures using 5.5 lb (2.49 kg) ASTM D698
Maximum Dry Rammer and 12 in (305 mm) Drop (Standard)
Density or or
and Optimum
Moisture Content Moisture-Density Relations of Soils and Soil- ASTM D1557
Aggregate Mixtures using 10 lb (4.59 kg) (Modified)
Rammer and 18 in (457 mm) Drop
Density of Soil in Place by the Sand Cone
ASTM D1556
Compacted Method
Density Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place by the
ASTM D2167
Rubber Balloon Method
Volumetric One-Dimensional Expansion, Shrinkage, and
ASTM D3877
Stability Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime Mixtures
Resilient Modulus of Unbound Granular
Resilient Modulus AASHTO T274
Base/Subbase Materials and Subgrade Soils

REFERENCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AASHTO/AGC/ARTBA Guide Specification for Pozzolanic Stabilized Mixture (PSM) Base

Course or Subbase. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
Washington, DC, 1988.

AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures. American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC, 1993

Lime Stabilization Construction Manual. National Lime Association, Arlington, Virginia, 1980.

Materials for Stabilization. American Road and Transportation Builders Association,

Washington, DC, 1977.

Soil-Cement Construction Handbook. Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, 1995.

 Soil Stabilization in Pavement Structures. A User's Manual. Volumes 1 and 2. Federal
Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-IP-80-2, Washington, DC, 1980.

Stabilization and Pavement Recycling. American Road and Transportation Builders

Association, Washington, DC, 1979.

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