Mechanical properties and behaviour of in situ materials which are stabilised with bitumen emulsion

This article presents a critical review of the mechanical properties of in situ materials which are stabilised with bitumen emulsion. A description is provided of the types of materials that are stabilised with bitumen emulsion presently available and different hypotheses about their behaviour and different properties are put forth. The two main categories of mechanical properties investigated in the laboratory by means of mechanical test are addressed: (a) properties similar to those of granular materials in accordance with their stress-dependent behaviour and (b) properties resembling hot mix asphalt materials in accordance with their temperature and time-dependent viscoelastic behaviour. The article concludes with several final remarks on the structural behaviour and mechanical properties of these materials.