The characterisation of cementitious insitu stabilised pavement materials: The past, the present and the future

Insitu stabilisation of pavement materials with cementitious binders is a well-recognised method of rehabilitating pavements for local roads and highways. Since its introduction in Australia in the 1950s, this technology has seen a broadening of the materials available for use as binders, the introduction of machinery capable of more accurately spreading and dosing binders, the development of large stabilisers and compaction equipment allowing deep-lift stabilisation and advances in material testing apparatus. The expected future development for this technology lies in the methods and protocols for the characterization of the stabilised materials for pavement design purposes. This paper presents the benefits of insitu stabilisation as well as a brief history of the stabilisation technology, and outlines the construction techniques commonly used for insitu stabilisation processes. The various binders available for stabilisation and the characterisation of stabilised pavement materials are also discussed. Finally, the paper presents the expected future developments for the insitu stabilisation industry recommends that future research focuses on standardising sample preparation and test methods as well as on the development of fatigue-life models applicable to materials stabilised with slow-setting cementitious binders.