CEMP-ET
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ETL 1110-3-487
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Washington, DC 20314-1000
Technical Letter
No. 1110-3-487
1 March 1998
Engineering and Design
USE OF PETROLEUM CONTAMINATED SOIL
IN COLD-MIX ASPHALT STABILIZED BASE COURSE
1. Purpose. This letter provides information and guidance for design and construction of
mixtures using petroleum contaminated soil and similar hydrocarbon waste for cold-mix asphalt
stabilized base course (ASB) construction.
2. Applicability. This letter is applicable to all HQUSACE elements and USACE commands
having military construction and design responsibility.
3. References. See Appendix A.
4. Distribution. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
5. Background.
a. It is estimated that 25 percent of all underground petroleum storage tanks over 20 years
old have some leakage into the surrounding soil. This leakage generally results in approximately
23 to 38 m3 (30 to 50 yd3) of contaminated soil for each leaking storage tank. However;
contaminated soil amounts exceeding 7,650 m3 (10,000 yd3) have been encountered on military
installations. The U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) has conducted
research and participated in contaminated material disposal projects.
b. This ETL provides guidance and design recommendations for the use of petroleum
contaminated soil in pavement construction. The information provided is for cold-mix
applications of these materials in base course construction. Use of contaminated soils in hot-mix
asphalt pavement applications has been accomplished, but discussion of this process is beyond the
scope of this letter. ASB should only be utilized when laboratory analysis has shown that the
process will result in a material that will meet existing state and federal requirements for leachate.
A substantial amount of regulatory support is required to comply with all regulations.
6. Action. The enclosed guidance and design recommendations should be used by the Army for
the design and construction of pavements using contaminated soils.
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