# Laboratory and Field Experiments on the Effect of Vinyl Acetate Polymer-Reinforced Soil
## 5 Conclusions  
To test the water-related and mechanical properties of soil stabilization using a polymer soil stabilizer solution synthesized from vinyl acetate polymer, a water properties test, mechanical properties test, durability test and seed growth test were carried out in the laboratory. Also, the effect of the vinyl acetate polymer was verified by field tests. Based on the results obtained, the following conclusions can be drawn.  
(1) In the water property test, the water-retaining property and the erosion resistance of soil can be improved effectively by spraying vinyl acetate polymer diluent onto soil surface under laboratory conditions. The evaporativity of the soil decreases gradually with the increase in stabilizer concentration. Soil can maintain a higher moisture content, which can promote the growth of vegetation. The erosion resistance of the soil can be improved effectively when the soil surface is sprayed with vinyl acetate polymer diluent. As the concentration of stabilizer increases, the erosion resistance of soil surface also increases.  
(2) The mechanical properties test showed that the vinyl acetate polymer has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of soil under laboratory conditions. With the increase of polymer concentration, the unconfined compressive strength and cohesion of the soil increased greatly. The internal friction angle of the soil is relatively stable. However, the shear strength of the soil increases as the polymer concentration increases.  
(3) In the durability test, the durability of the soil improves with the addition of vinyl acetate polymer under laboratory conditions. After 720 h of illumination or 10 freeze-thaw cycles, the soil still exhibits relatively high strength, which means it has a good durability in 720 h of illumination or 10 freeze-thaw cycles. The results of the seed growth test show that vinyl acetate polymer has no adverse effect on plant vegetation under laboratory conditions. The vegetation grows and develops well after spraying with the polymer.  
(4) The results of the field test show that vinyl acetate polymer is effective for improving the erosion resistance of the topsoil on the slope by reducing the soil loss and protecting the vegetation growth. The slope surface treated with vinyl acetate polymer underwent much less erosion, and had well-grown vegetation.  
Data curation, J.L., Z.S., D.L. and Z.C.; Investigation, Z.S., Y.B. and Q.W.; Methodology, J.W. and J.L.; Writing--original draft, J.W., J.L. and Z.S.; Writing--review & editing, D.P.K. and W.Q.  
**Funding:** This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 41472241), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant number 2016B05914) and Water Conservancy Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Province, China (grant number 2017010).  
**Acknowledgments:** We acknowledge the help of [PERSON] and [PERSON] of School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University.  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.