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An Experimental Termite Enzyme-Based Stabilizer for Treating Aged Pavement Laterites

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Abstract

An experimental investigation is described aimed at developing a novel enzyme-based admixture for enhancing strength of old laterite gravels. Termite saliva binding technology was reviewed and extended to a corresponding recycling technological demand. Four trial gravel and anthill samples were used. Termite extracts were examined for stabilization propensity followed by admixture generation using bio-chemistry analytical methods. Test results show that adding 100 mg of mucopolysaccharides to reaction products of cellulase (50 units/mL) and cellulose (0.3 g) for 1 h produces an enzyme-based admixture influencing performance of laterite gravels. Plasticity and shrinkage of gravels reduced significantly, soaked CBR increased threefold from 25.3 ± 2.6% to 77.3 ± 1.2%, while resilient modulus increased by 20–39%. Total cost reductions of 15.2, 16.7 and 8.7%, respectively, were observed for asphalt, single dressed and double dressed pavements attributed to the admixture. Field studies on utilization of this admixture are required before drawing technical recommendations.

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Data Availability

Some or all data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Additional information on the new stabilizer developed is amongst these findings.

Abbreviations

B1:

Natural gravel from borrow pit 1

B2:

Natural gravel from borrow pit 2

C c :

Coefficient of curvature

C u :

Coefficient of uniformity

G30:

Natural gravel with minimum soaked CBR value of 30%

G80:

Natural gravel with minimum soaked CBR value of 80%

R1:

Old roadway gravel from the northern region

R2:

Old roadway gravel from the eastern region

R3:

Old roadway gravel from the western region

R4:

Old roadway gravel from the central region

X1 :

Quantity of celllose in grammes

X2 :

Quanity of cellulase in units per mL of citrate buffer

\(\hat{\beta }_{{\text{o}}}\) :

Constant coefficient for the quadratic model

\(\hat{\beta }_{1}\) :

Pure linear coefficient for cellulose

\(\hat{\beta }_{2}\) :

Pure linear coefficient for cellulase

\(\hat{\beta }_{11}\) :

Pure quadratic coefficient for cellulose

\(\hat{\beta }_{22}\) :

Pure quadratic coefficient for cellulase

\(\hat{\beta }_{12}\) :

Mixed quadratic coefficient for cellulose and cellulase

γ d (max) :

Maximum dry density

λ 1 :

1St eigenvalues of the matrix formed by the 2nd degree coefficients of the quadratic model

λ 2 :

2Nd eigenvalues of the matrix formed by the 2nd degree coefficients of the quadratic model

ω opt :

Optimum moisture content

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Funding

The financial support by the Uganda Crossroads Challenge Fund and Makerere University is recognized with appreciation. The enormous laboratory test schedule handled by the assistants in the Biochemistry, Chemistry and Highway materials laboratories were invaluable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Umaru Bagampadde & David Kaddu

  2. Biochemistry Department, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Joseph Fuuna Hawumba

  3. Chemistry Department, Makerere University, Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Muhammad Ntale

Authors
  1. Umaru Bagampadde
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  2. David Kaddu
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  3. Joseph Fuuna Hawumba
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  4. Muhammad Ntale
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Correspondence to Umaru Bagampadde.

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Bagampadde, U., Kaddu, D., Hawumba, J.F. et al. An Experimental Termite Enzyme-Based Stabilizer for Treating Aged Pavement Laterites. Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol. 16, 781–795 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-022-00163-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-022-00163-0

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