Macro- and Microscale Properties of Vibration Mixing Cement-Stabilized Macadam: Laboratory and Field Investigation

Cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) is a fully bound and compacted base layer of aggregate, water, and cement. Given that the mixing technology of the components of CSM could affect the performance of the built layer, this study is targeted to analyze the performance of the CSM base prepared using vibration mixing (VM) technology compared with the traditional two-cylinder continuous mixing method. The influence of mixing technology on properties of CSM was investigated using macro- and microscale properties. Performance and microscopy tests were carried out for such purposes. Further, experimental observations have been collected for a trial paved road to evaluate the practical efficiencies of the VM CSM base. The results showed that the unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, dynamic compressive resilient modulus, and homogeneity of CSM were improved with the VM technology. The growth rate of the strength of VM CSM was increased, but the coefficient of variation was decreased. The dry shrinkage strain and coefficient of the VM CSM were also effectively decreased, and most dry shrinkage deformation occurred during the first 15 days. The microstructure results showed that the cement hydration was improved and the hydration products were distributed much more uniformly with the VM technology. There is a three-dimensional network structure which is likely attributed to the abundance of hydration products with the vibratory agitation. The results of the test road showed that the VM CSM had better uniformity, pavement performance, and economic benefits.