Influence of construction water quality on the performance of road base and subbase materials

Date

2004-08

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Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

In some parts of Texas, during periods of draught and increased construction works, water has become a precious commodity, especially for areas in the state which receive very little rainfall. This puts the construction projects on-hold, which requires large quantities of water. One way to reduce the demand for drinking water is to substitute non-drinking quality water in construction applications. However, there may be some adverse impacts of using alternative water in construction applications. The research included the study of most critical concerns that would arise when water from alternative water sources is used in the construction of road bases and subbases. These concerns are: (a) the potential impact that soluble minerals in alternative water may have on soil parameters that are used in material selection (i.e., Atterberg Limits and Bar Linear Shrinkage) and (b) the effect that sulfate ions in water may have on the potential for sulfate heave in base layers stabilized with calcium-based stabilizers. A comprehensive test program was undertaken selecting five different soils, which would cover the broad range of soil types found within the geographic parts of Texas. The types of alternative water used were Treated Effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plants, Ocean Water, and Brine Water, each having different concentrations of salinity and sulfates. The soil samples were tested with and without adding alternative water to evaluate the impact of alternative water on the soil samples. A predictive model was developed that would allow preliminary evaluation of candidate alternative water sources to determine their suitability.

Description

Keywords

Acid sulfate soils, Oil field brines, Waste products as road materials, Pavements, Subgrades -- Design and construction, Seawater, Sewage sludge, Texas roads, Water quality, Texas soils, Sulfate-resistant concrete

Citation