The viability of using biopolymer-stabilized municipal solid waste fines in subgrade to enhance pavement performance

Abstract

Chemical-based soil stabilization brings adverse effects to soil ecology; hence, bio-based soil stabilization is becoming popular nowadays. The present study analyzes the suitability of using different biopolymers s as additives in pavement subgrade. Two biopolymers, Xanthan gum, and Agar are used in 0-1.5% quantity in MSWF, and their CBR values are calculated. The improved biopolymer-based MSWF is deployed in the pavement subgrade, and the pavement is analyzed based on rutting and fatigue at various pavement conditions. The flexible pavement analysis is carried out through a computer-based application IIT-Pave. It is found that the subgrade made of modified MSWF with a high percentage of biopolymer shows the minimum strain on the subgrade and bituminous layer. Hence, the biopolymers can be successfully used in pavement subgrade to improve its performance. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Askar Zhussupbekov, Assel Sarsembayeva & Victor N. Kaliakin; individual chapters, the contributors.