International Journal of Transportation Engineering

International Journal of Transportation Engineering

Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) of the Subgrade Soil Stabilized with Copolymers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Yazd University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Road and Geotechnics, Yazd, Iran This author is not the responsible author.
2 Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran This author is the Corresponding Author.
3 Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Polymer Department, Polymer Faculty, Polymer and Petrochemical Research Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Since transportation plays a crucial role in the economic and social development of a country and affects many aspects of life, it is considered as a vital artery there. Stabilizing the subgrade soil of roads improves their physical and mechanical properties and increases resistance to traffic load, moisture, and temperature changes. The goal is to extend the service life of roads, reduce maintenance costs, prevent premature failures, and enhance transportation. Most soils are stabilized with additives like cement, lime, and bitumen to improve their strength and durability, but these traditional stabilizers cause significant environmental pollution. Therefore, using environmentally friendly materials is important. This study examined the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the soil stabilized with styrene-acrylate and styrene-butadiene, as two eco-friendly emulsion copolymers, in dry and wet conditions and then in wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles. The results were analyzed using the SPSS and Design-Expert software programs. It was indicated that increasing a pure polymer initially increases UCS, followed by a decrease. Also, moisture, wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles reduce UCS. According to the independent t-test results, only the reduction of strength due to moisture was statistically significant. Using the equations proposed in this study, it is possible to estimate the UCS of the soil stabilized with the mentioned copolymers under different conditions and determine the optimal type and amount of polymers based on project requirements.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 July 2026