Soil cement is a low-cost foundation made by mixing Portland cement, water, and soil aggregate. It’s suitable for road construction and can be made from various types of granular materials. The process involves mixing the materials on-site or at a mixing plant, compacting them, and applying a bituminous material for hardening and strengthening. Soil cement is an economical and popular choice for road surfaces.
Portland cement and water mixed with soil aggregate produce a mixture called soil cement. This material provides a low-cost foundation for asphalt, concrete and other applications used in road construction. Ground concrete is also suitable as a primary surface for car parks, roads and storage areas. When ground concrete is the primary surface, applying a thin layer of bituminous material and chippings strengthens the product.
Common types of aggregate soils used to make this product include sand, clay, crushed stone, or a combination of these materials. Some other types of granular materials suitable for this process include waste from gravel pits, fly ash or cinders. Soil concrete is sometimes referred to as a cement-treated aggregate foundation or a cement-stabilized foundation.
How soil cement is produced depends on the type of aggregate material used and the location of the project. It is mixed at mixing plants when using nearby borrowed material and then delivered to the construction site. If suitable aggregate is present, the material is mixed on site. This process involves spreading the applicable amount of cement and water over the existing aggregate and thoroughly mixing the materials using heavy-duty equipment designed for this task. After mixing is complete, the material is compacted to the desired specification with standard compaction equipment.
The final stage of the process is the cure. In order for the surface to harden properly, a bituminous material is applied, which also helps to strengthen the surface and control evaporation. The type of bituminous material used depends on the type of traffic to which the surface is subjected during its expected life. Mixing bituminous material with 1/2 to 3/4 inch (13 to 19 mm) chips is a suitable surface for light traffic. For applications with heavier traffic, a 1 mm (1 2/38 inch) thick layer of asphalt can be installed over the ground concrete.
Because the aggregate materials are already present or available from nearby loan pits, soil cement is an economical choice for application to parking lots, streets, and other surfaces. Existing concrete road samples indicate that the material strengthens with age. Low cost, strength and ease of installation combine to make this type of road surface a popular choice around the world.
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