Adding Value
RoadCem soil stabilisation can provide numerous secondary benefits beyond those primary performance characteristics. See how you can add value to your projects by saving time, money and the environment with every application.
Choosing to use RoadCem to stabilise the in-situ site soils has numerous cost savings. RoadCem stabilisation will produce a single layer system without the need for any additional surface aggregates or concrete armouring. Cost saving can be as high as 60% over traditional aggregate alternatives and over 40% more cost effective than multiple layer soil enhancement systems. Other cost advantages can be realised from both the installation and decommissioning times being more rapid than stone import and export.
Yes you will. Since RoadCem soil stabilisation is a single layer solution it is the most rapid way of creating temporary or permanent bearing layers. Its not uncommon for clients to report programme times being reduced by over 60% – often depending on the linearity of the project trace and availability of side access points.
RoadCem stabilisation is a single layer solution and is robust enough not to require additional surfacing. However recognising that every soil is different – on specific projects where silty soils may be being stabilised it may be beneficial to also incorporate a thin granular surface running layer. 95% of RoadCem temporary stabilisation does not require any surfacing.
Soil ‘Enhancement’ uses a low dose of cement binder (2 to 3%), to produce a form of ‘soft stabilisation’ – it can provide enhanced bearing capacity as a foundation layer but requires to have an additional surface layer to offer protection – this secondary layer is typically in the form of MoT Type 1 aggregate or a lean mix cementitious bound ‘armoured layer’. Soil enhancement is not compatible with low CBR soils <2.5%, high organic or sulphate bearing soils – or in environments where the stabilised layer may become saturated and soften.
RoadCem stabilisation can be designed as a permanet layer – it can also be used on a temporary to permanent basis offering benefits to both phases of a project. Lifetime durability can be built in at the design stage. RoadCem soil stabilisation has been used around the world to provide robust, highly durable foundation layers to highways, airports and other critical infrastructure projects such as the Panama Canal.
As mentioned above – RoadCem stabilisation is used for both temporary and permanent works and is highly durable and robust. A permanent surface exposed to the elements and the intended design loads will not need any ongoing maintenance.
Occasionally the terms ‘Magic Powder’ and ‘Fairy Dust’ are levelled at bespoke cement binders including the RoadCem cement additive. These comments tend to come from the lime stabilisation side of the industry – however more and more engineers and clients are coming to realise that the use of proven ‘patented’ binders does offer advantages over the older types of techniques. Technological advances never come without attracting criticism from those with most to lose.
By using a RoadCem solution you will greatly reduce or eliminate the need for any primary aggregate usage on your project – this alone will save the embodied CO2 in your project. Our surface soils to a depth of around 50cm act as the worlds second largest carbon sink and to protect this valuable resource is vital in ensuring the long term reduction in atmospheric CO2. By adopting a temporary RoadCem stabilised layer, one which will be reinstated, the in-situ soils are prevented from being sent to landfill when excavated from site as a waste when using imported aggregates. The use of RoadCem therefore saves the creation of more CO2 from the quarrying and site delivery of primary aggregates as well as protecting the surface soil carbon sink for the future.
