Endurazyme has proven successful as a clay modifier in soils that have greater than 20% by weight passing the 75 micron,(75 micron =0.075 mm - 1 mm = 1,000 microns) and where the plasticity index is greater than 8.  It is critical that all materials which are being considered for treatment are tested to ensure that they fit these parameters.  Throughout the years of Endurazyme applications, it has become obvious that there is a much greater need for understanding of the road building process and the general materials engineering testing systems to ensure that the benefits of Endurazyme are optimised.  While coming to grips with all the aspects of engineering can take a considerable amount of time and practical experience, it is imperative that a solid working understanding is acquired to ensure that all personnel involved in the promotion of Endurazyme can do the job successfully.  The integration of Endurazyme into the road building process is relatively simple and has been designed for ease of integration. 

Soil Identification   -   Suitability for Treatment with Endurazyme
As Endurazyme is effective on the clay fraction of a soil it is important that the quantity and quality of clay present be assessed.  This is achieved using standard engineering tests. 

Preliminary Testing
The particle size distribution and the Atterberg limits are determined. Soils with 20% or greater by weight passing the 75 micron sieve and a plasticity index (P.I.) greater than 8 are deemed suitable. Engineering the in-situ or available materials to these parameters is invariably more cost effective than importing for a complete re-sheet.  Varying degrees of success have been achieved with soils having less than 20 % passing the 75 micron sieve, but these soils will generally have a high P.I.  It can be economical to experiment with these parameters and situations where other options are costly. 

Determine the maximum density/moisture relationship.
If a soil is deemed suitable for treatment with Endurazyme then the maximum dry density is determined.  The information ascertained from this test is invaluable in ensuring that the engineering performance of the soil is optimised on the day of construction.  Each soil has its own optimum moisture content.  Maximum dry density is achieved at this point.  If insufficient water is used during the water binding phase, significant reductions in densities and consequently the load bearing capacity of the road will be evident.  Also, if too much water is applied materials become unworkable, the same reduction in densities are evident.  Compaction values are also determined at this stage that are used for comparison in the field at the time of construction.  More details will be given on these tests later on in this section.  In order to have full appreciation of the importance and the principles upon which these tests are based, this manual will now go into greater detail on soil identification and classification that are used universally to help describe the many and varied soils that road builders use on a day to day basis. 

 Internal Training Document