SUBBASE STABILIZATION WITH FLY ASH

Abstract

Due to increased activities in civil engineering, and especially in the transport infrastructure, and thus an increase in the use of additional construction materials, innovative solutions are needed in finding alternative materials for the preservation of natural resources. One of the solutions for preserving natural building materials is the application of recycled material, which will also meet the required standards in civil engineering. In the transport infrastructure, there is a great opportunity for the use of recycled material, starting from the subbase, through the embankment and all the way to the superstructure and the concrete structures. One of the recycled materials that can be used in construction is fly ash. Fly ash is the most promising waste material when it comes to the wide range of applications in construction. Fly ash is obtained by burning coal in thermal power plants to produce electricity. Due to variations in the composition and characteristics of fly ash, several divisions and classifications have been created. One of the main classifications is according to the American standard ASTM C 618-05 where it is divided into class C and class F fly ash. This research aims to investigate the application of fly ash for subgrade stabilization and to determine the difference from a financial and environmental perspective for the application of fly ash compared to natural stone aggregate. The main research was carried out in connection with the increased use of natural stone aggregate, which appeared as a need during the rehabilitation of state road R1206, section Karpalak - Želino. Apart from the use of large quantities of stone aggregate for the stabilization of the subgrade, it also had an impact on the financial framework for the realization of the road project. In Macedonia, an analysis of the chemical composition of 4 samples of fly ash obtained in REC Bitola was carried out. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that it belongs to the classification of F-class fly ash and with the use of an activator (lime or cement) it can be used in the stabilization of the subgrade.