Transformation of Locally Available Soil into Sub-Base Material Using K-31 Stabilizer
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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering(MPE), Islamic University of Technology(IUT), Board Bazar, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh
Abstract
The increasing demand for durable and sustainable road infrastructure has intensified the need to
enhance the engineering properties of weak, locally available soils in Bangladesh. Many construction
areas, particularly those containing red and clayey soils, fail to meet the minimum sub-base strength and
bearing requirements specified by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD). Transporting high
quality aggregates from remote locations substantially raises construction costs and environmental
impact. To address this challenge, the present research investigates the potential of transforming locally
available soil into a suitable sub-base material through chemical stabilization using the K-31 polymer.
In this study, red soil samples collected from the Gazipur region were treated with varying K-31:water
ratios to determine the optimum mix that yields the best mechanical performance. Laboratory
experiments were conducted to evaluate Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), California
Bearing Ratio (CBR), and compaction characteristics of both untreated and treated soils. The results
revealed a significant improvement in load-bearing capacity and density with increasing K-31
concentration up to an optimal range, beyond which strength gains stabilized. Treated specimens
exhibited enhanced resistance to moisture intrusion and reduced plasticity, confirming the polymer’s
effectiveness in improving soil cohesion and reducing permeability.
The findings demonstrate that K-31 stabilization provides a rapid, cost-efficient, and environmentally
friendly alternative to conventional cement- or lime-based stabilization techniques. Its performance in
laboratory conditions suggests strong potential for field application in flexible pavement sub-bases
within Bangladesh. The study concludes that the K-31 polymer stabilizer can effectively transform
locally available weak soils into reliable sub-base materials, contributing to sustainable infrastructure
development while minimizing the dependency on imported aggregates and high-carbon binders.
Description
Supervised by
Prof. Dr. Hossain Md. Shahin,
Professor,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
Board Bazar, Gazipur, Bangladesh
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2025
Keywords
Citation
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