Published: Građevinar 76 (2024) 12
Paper type: Scientific research paper
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Road building using wood ash

This paper describes the specifics of constructing a test section of an internal road where wood ash was used to improve the bearing capacity of the subgrade and to construct the base layer of the pavement structure. Laboratory testing and field control testing were conducted during the construction. The results showed that the increase in the bearing capacity of the subgrade by applying stabilization with wood ash ranges from 155 to 235 % compared to the natural clay subgrade. Due to the binding properties of wood ash, the bearing capacity of the subgrade continues to increase even after construction, with an observed increase of 31 to 39 % in bearing capacity within 14 days of construction. The base layer made of wood ash of different fractions achieved compressive modulus Ms = 60 to 80 MN/m², thus meeting the bearing capacity criteria. The experiences from the test section confirm the potential of wood ash for use in improving subgrade bearing capacity and in the construction of the base layer of pavement structures. This could encourage more rational and economical design and construction of pavement structures, especially in areas with large amounts of waste ash from wood biomass, such as the region of Slavonia.

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