The main objective of this work was to prepare acrylic latex in order to exploit as additive for soil; to improve physical and mechanical behavior. To do this, some acrylic monomers were polymerized using miniemulsion polymerization process, and important parameters such as polymer particle size and conversion of reaction were monitored during polymerization. Once acrylic latexes were obtained via miniemulsion polymerization, they were mixed in various ratios with three different soils taken from local sources. Then mechanical properties of modified soils were studied. The weight percent of latex was varied from 0 to 3% relative to soil and unconfined compressive strength of final treated soil were studied under various curing conditions. The results showed that it is possible to use acrylic latexes to ameliorate mechanical properties of soil to adapt it for construction and road bed application. It was shown also that unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of modified soils was improved by increasing weight percent of acrylic latex relative to total weight of sample. The results showed also that when the weight percent of acrylic latex relative to soil was between 2 and 3 %; mechanical properties were improved significantly.

Keywords: Acrylic Latex; Miniemulsion Polymerization; Soil; Unconfined Compressive Strength;