ED 1 mix specimen expanded at early ages then it shrank.
The decease of water absorption with increasing SF is due to the fact that when a material with high specific surface area is added to a mix specimen, it acts as a micro-filler of the matrix particles, which can reduce the amount of water that filled in the voids of the blending materials.
On the other hand, mixing specimens with additives (63.4%, n = 64) and specimen transferring from syringes to test tubes (63.4%, n = 64) were activities that involved the highest proportions of undesirable practice among laboratory professionals in this phase (Table 2).
However, in the post collection phase, specimen transferring from syringes to test tubes (15.8%) and mixing specimen with additives (63.4%) involved highest proportions of undesirability among laboratory and non-laboratory professionals respectively.
The 28-day splitting tensile strengths of Mix-5, Mix-10 and Mix-15 specimens showed an increase of 4.16, 6.62 and 1.57 % more than 28-day splitting tensile strength of Mix-0, respectively.
To develop the optimal mix design, specimens of stabilized peat were tested in unconfined compression, direct shear and falling head tests.
The accuracy of the models was verified by comparing the results with analytical solutions of simple geometries and hydraulic conductivity measurements on the compacted aggregates and hot mix asphalt specimens.
For each mix three specimens were tested.
