STUDY OF BUILDING MATERIALS FROM POLYMER STABILIZED SOIL

Often they are not readily available and if procured the cost is often prohibitive. Of all materials common to any environment, the most universal is soil. The purpose of this study was to find admixtures to render sand or other soils suitable for construction. One such method is through the in-situ polymerization of water-soluble monomer. Calcium acrylate was the best of several monomers tested to stablize soil. The report describes the history and characteristics of calcium acrylate. Several requirements must be met for the construction of a dwelling using chemically stabilized earth. The monomer system must be a water-soluble solid that can be polymerized in solution. It has to be non-toxic, inexpensive, and incorporated in small quantities. A literature survey indicated that the metal salts of acrylic or methacrylic acid would be the most likely candidates. Five monovalent salts were made and three divalent salts were produced. These were: potassium methacrylate, sodium methacrylate, potassium acrylate, sodium acrylate, ammonium acrylate, barium acrylate, calcium acrylate and magnesium acrylate. A decision was reached to concentrate on the calcium acrylate because it would readily polymerize, needed no crosslinking compound and it would probably be the cheapest to manufacture. The experimental procedures used are outlined. The appendicies include building specifications, soil properties, and sample calculations.