Effect of Mineral Additives on the Strength Characteristics of a Laterite Soil

The road access opening, frequently through several soil conditions, do not comply with the construction requirements. Thus, it needed materials that could protect the low bearing capacity of subgrade and strengthen the pavement layers from a load of the vehicle’s wheel. This study aimed is to analyze the performance of the subbase layer, which consists of zeolite-stabilized laterite soil using water glass as an activator. The mechanical characteristics of the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value were investigated in this study. The soil sample was prepared with a zeolite percentage of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20%, and combining with 2% of water glass. Prior to the test, the soil samples set to the maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) condition. The result of the mechanical characteristics of the stabilized soil showed that the higher UCS and CBR value was observed compared to untreated soil. The mechanism of the improvement of stabilized soil is also discussed.