Peat is classified as a problematic soil due to its low shear strength, low bearing capacity and high compressibility characteristics, which has become a crucial problem in the construction development. The presence of this peaty soil caused difficulties due to its instability and high settlement rate. This paper presents the stabilization of local peat from Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia by using two types of processed tire-waste disposal, namely shredded rubber powder (RP) and rubber crumb (RC) at a controlled percentage of 10% of the weight of peat. In this study, liquid Melamine Urea Formaldehyde (MUF) resin was used in different percentages (i.e., 10%, 20%, and 40%) and mixed along with 5% cement to act as a binder. All of the additives were added into the peat at its optimum moisture content. The samples were cured for 7 and 28 days at room temperature e and the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test are performed on the reinforced peat stabilized with MUF. Based on the findings, the results show that shredded rubber crumb, rubber powder and MUF polymer resin gradually improved the strength of the reinforced peat samples by increasing the effective contact area between the peat and the additive. The highest UCS strength recorded is 438 kPa with a composition of 10% rubber powder, 40% of MUF polymer resin and 5% cement. According to the CBR test findings, the peat increased strength as a result of the addition of 10% rubber crumb, 40% MUF and 5% cement which is 20.3%for soaked condition. Furthermore, the results show that peat soil may be used as a subgrade. The findings of this study indicate that the use of shredded rubber crumb and rubber powder with addition of MUF can improve the engineering properties of peat soil. Thus, these findings may be applied in the construction of subgrade layer. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University.
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