Date of Award
3-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Systems Engineering and Management
First Advisor
Benjamin R. Knost, PhD
Abstract
This study examines a potential method of selecting an ideal soil additive to assist road planners in selecting an ideal soil stabilizer for low-volume road construction with in-situ soils. Essential for the socioeconomic success of rural communities, low-volume soil or gravel roads account for approximately 54% of US road expenditures to maintain and remediate. Soil stabilization can provide significant savings in regards to the cost, effectiveness, and environmental impacts of these roads. With hundreds of commercially available soil treatment products available with significant variations to their effects, it can be difficult for road planners to select the most appropriate product. This thesis demonstrates a selection tool using the Analytical Hierarchy Process to evaluate the ideal soil additive among five alternatives including Portland Cement, Class “C” Fly Ash, Enzyme Soil Treatment, Geogrid stabilization, and Magnesium Chloride chemical treatment. The process is demonstrated for US Forest Service roadways in the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota and Wyoming. The results indicate the preferred alternative for enzyme soil treatment for roads within arid fine-grained soil conditions with a global priority of 24.36% global priority towards the goal. For soils within temperate coarse-grained soil conditions, the results indicate a preference for Portland Cement with a global priority of 27.37%. The results indicate the preferred treatments with user designed weights are based on environmental conditions as well as subjective needs and desires of the user.
AFIT Designator
AFIT-ENV-MS-24-M-167
Recommended Citation
Spinks, Peter J., "Selection of Soil Stabilization Methods for Low-Volume Road Applications" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 7772.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/7772
Comments
A 12-month embargo was observed for posting this work on AFIT Scholar.
Distribution Statement A, Approved for Public Release. PA case number on file.