SOIL CEMENT

STABILIZATION
BETTER CONCRETE CONFERENCE
FALL 2018
TYPES OF SCS

• Cement Modified Soils (CMS)

• Cement Stabilized Subgrades (CSS)
• Cement Treated Base (CTB)
• Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)

• Updated Guide to Cement Modified Soil ~ PCA Publication 2008

• http://secement.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EB242.pdf
DEFINITION OF…

• Cement Modified Soil (CMS): A mixture of pulverized in-situ soil, water and small
proportion of Portland cement resulting in an unbound or slightly bound material, similar
to a soil, but with improved engineering properties.
• Cement Stabilized Soil (CSS): An engineered mixture of pulverized in-situ soil, water and
moderate proportion of Portland cement, resulting in a semi bound to bound material,
with engineering properties similar to an granular material. Will still provide improved
soil shear and compressive strength.
DEFINITION OF…

• Cement Treated Base (CTB): Fully bound engineered mixture of soil/aggregate, water and
sufficient Portland cement to meet the project specified minimum durability and strength
requirements. CTB can be mixed-in-place using on-site soils or mixed in a central plant
using selected aggregate.

• Usually FAA projects

• Typical 7-day unconfined compressive strengths range from 300 – 800 psi.
DEFINITION OF…

• Full Depth Reclamation(FDR): Full-depth reclamation (FDR) rebuilds worn out

pavements by recycling the existing roadway in-situ. The old pavement section and base
materials are pulverized, mixed with cement and water, and compacted to produce a
strong, durable base for a new pavement surface. ~PCA
 DIFFERENCES IN SCS

• Cement Modified Soils (CMS)

• Intended to improve / modify subgrade Virgin Soil
• Uses low dosages of cement

• Cement Stabilized Subgrades (CSS)

• Intended to improve / modify subgrade
• Uses higher dosages of cement

• Cement Treated Base (CTB) CMS / CSS

• Intended to create a structural base
• Uses higher dosages of cement
• Typically used for FAA Projects

• Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)

• Intended to create a structural base
• Used widely to address existing pavement complete structural failures CTB
• Uses higher dosages of cement
DIFFERENCES IN SCS TREATMENTS

• Cement Modified Soils (CMS)

• Typical Dosage – 3 – 5 %
• Cement Stabilized Subgrades (CSS)
• Typical Dosage – Greater than 5 %
• Cement Treated Base (CTB)
• Typical Dosage – Varies based on project requirements / design
• PCA recommends 3 – 10%

• Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)

• Typical Dosage –3-10% (could be up to 15%)
 IS SCS FOR MY PROJECT?

• What type of pavement support are you trying to achieve?

• What type of problematic soils are you trying to overcome?
• Wet, expansive, low strength, etc.

• How are the soils behaving on your project?

• Will they allow for the desired outcome?
• Are they hindering construction progress?

• What if I’m in the construction phase and the soils deteriorate on the project?

• At this point in the process, you should call a geotechnical engineer

WHICH SCS IS RIGHT FOR MY PROJECT?

• SCS will improve soil subgrade properties

• Strength
• Chemical composition (expansive soils)
• Freeze/thaw durability
• Shrink/swell characteristics
• Drying of soils

• Use the above list to determine which SCS process you need.
WHICH SCS IS RIGHT FOR MY PROJECT?

SCS Type Definition Cement % Application

CMS Soil , Water, Cement 3% - 5% Soft subgrades
Engineered Soft subgrades or
CSS Soil , Water, Cement, >5% subgrade requiring
Unbound increase in strength
Engineered to achieve
CTB Soil , Water, Cement, 3% - 10% project specified
Bound strength requirements
Engineered
Soil , Water, Cement, Improve bituminous
FDR 5% - 8%
Full Pavement Reconstruction surfaced roadway
STEPS FOR USING SCS

• Identify the need for improving soil

conditions
• Identify the types of soils present
• Implement the mix design process
• Apply to construction methods
DECISION TREE
IDENTIFY THE IN-SITU SOIL CONDITIONS

• Wet, expansive, unstable?

• Obtain soil samples and classify them to understand where the problems are.
• Every soil is unique!

• At this point in the process, you should call a geotechnical engineer

IMPLEMENT A DESIGN PROCESS

• Soil samples should be tested to determine virgin soil properties.

• Design SCS depending on desired outcome and virgin soil properties.
• Which SCS does your project need?
• Select a range of cement dosages to verify.

• At this point in the process, you should have called a geotechnical engineer
REMEMBER…

COMMUNICATION WITH A
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER IS
IMPERATIVE THROUGHOUT
THIS PROCESS.
SOIL SAMPLING FOR MIX DESIGN

• Sample Frequency
• Common to obtain every 400 ft.
• Usually to a depth of 10 ft below grade.

• Obtain soil samples and run laboratory testing

• General soil classification tests
• Proctors
• Atterbergs ( Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Plastic Index)
• Grain Size Analysis (Hydrometers)
• AASHTO classifications
• Most Iowa soils are A4, A6 or A7 (Silty or Clayey Soils) classification
MIX DESIGN PROCESS

• The amount of cement the soil will need is dependent on

• Grain size / particle distribution
• Desired support from subbase
• Type of SCS selected

• Determine which cement type to use.

• Soil sulfate content will dictate.

• Should test 3 to 4 dosage points to determine optimum value.

 MIX DESIGN PROCESS

Plot
Determine SL, Determine Unconfined
Determine
Prepare PL, LL, of Determine the Freeze- Compressive
Optimum
Determine Determine Samples With Sample the Thaw Strength and
Moisture
Determine Cement Type Chemical 3 Different (Atterberg Unconfined Durability of Freeze/Thaw Create Mix
Content and
Soil Condition and Dosage Compatability Cement Limits) of the Compressive the 3 Samples Durability on Design Report
Maximum Dry
Rates (If Necessary) Contents (i.e. 3 Samples 1 Strength of (If Cold a Graph to
Density of the
2%, 4%, 6%) Hour After the 3 Samples Weather Verify
3 Samples
Mixing State) Cement
Content
 APPLY TO CONSTRUCTION METHODS

• Communicate the intended outcome and design with earthwork contractor.

• Cement should be incorporated using appropriate equipment.
• Reclaimer/Mixer
• Grader
• Cement Spreader
• Water Truck
• Tamping/Sheepsfoot/Pad Foot Roller (Clayey and Silty Material)
• Smooth Drum Roller (Granular Soils) / Pneumatic Tire Roller (Optional)
APPLY TO CONSTRUCTION METHODS
 APPLY TO CONSTRUCTION METHODS

• SCS should be compacted in place, prior to cement hydrating.

• Sometimes you might have to add water!

• Have your geotechnical engineer / representative assist with incorporation.

• Monitoring dosage applications.
• Monitoring compaction efforts.
APPLY TO CONSTRUCTION
METHODS
• QC/QC during incorporation should included at a minimum
• Proof roll the virgin subgrade first
• Need to stabilize deeper?
• Contractor should verify equipment in good working order
• Water hose not clogged
• Teeth on reclaimer not missing
• Confirm application rate
• Conduct a test strip
• Identify if lab scenario can be applied to field
• Verify stabilization efforts with moisture/density testing PCA Photo

• Frequency of every 5,000 sq. ft.

• Curing time (?)
APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
APPLICATION TECHNIQUES
TYPICAL APPLICATION RATES
Cement Spread Requirements in Pounds Per Square Yard (kg/m3) for
Percent Cement By Weight
Compacted Thicknesses
Percent Cement
100 pcf (1602 110 pcf (1762 By Volume 5 inches (125 6 inches (150 7 inches (175 8 inches (200 9 inches (225
kg/m3) kg/m3) % mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)

1.9 1.7 2.0 7.1 (3.8) 8.5 (4.6) 9.9 (5.4) 11.3 (6.1) 12.7 (6.9)
2.4 2.1 2.5 8.8 (4.8) 10.6 (5.7) 12.3 (6.7) 14.1 (7.6) 15.9 (8.6)
2.8 2.6 3.0 10.6 (5.7) 12.7 (6.9) 14.8 (8.0) 16.9 (9.2) 19.0 (10.3)
3.3 3.0 3.5 12.3 (6.7) 14.8 (8.0) 17.3 (9.4) 19.7 (10.7) 22.2 (12.0)
3.8 3.4 4.0 14.1 (7.6) 16.9 (9.2) 19.7 (10.7) 22.6 (12.2) 25.4 (13.8)
4.2 3.8 4.5 15.9 (8.6) 19.0 (10.3) 22.2 (12.0) 25.4 (13.8) 28.6 (15.5)
4.7 4.3 5.0 17.6 (9.6) 21.2 (11.5) 24.7 (13.4) 28.2 (15.3) 31.7 (17.2)
5.2 4.7 5.5 19.4 (10.5) 23.3 (12.6) 27.1 (14.7) 31.0 (16.8) 34.9 (18.9)
5.6 5.1 6.0 21.1 (11.5) 25.4 (13.8) 29.6 (16.1) 33.8 (18.4) 38.1 (20.7)
6.1 5.6 6.5 22.9 (12.4) 27.5 (14.9) 32.1 (17.4) 36.7 (19.9) 41.2 (22.4)
6.6 6.0 7.0 24.7 (13.4) 29.6 (16.1) 34.5 (18.7) 39.5 (21.4) 44.4 (24.1)

~ CSS Guide Book

 CASE STUDY - DM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Year Constructed 2018

Case Type Design
Des Moines International Airport
Facility Location Des Moines, Iowa
Existing Soil Conditions Brown Silty Clay (CL, A-6)
Civil Firm Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC
Construction Contractor Flynn Company, Inc
Construction Subcontractor Manatt’s, Inc.
CASE STUDY - DM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

• Reconstruct 2,500 ft of Runway 13/31

• FAA required minimum 125 psi compressive strength (P-157)
• CMT obtained samples every 300 ft to test for design
• Virgin soil was A6, CL
• Used 2, 3 and 4% cement for design (Continental Type I/II)
• Each dosage increased compressive strength 100-300%
• 4% dosage rate was elected
• Approximately 38 lbs per sq. yard
CASE STUDY - DM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CASE STUDY - DM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

• The final outcome was determined by…..

• MOTHER NATURE
• FAA approved to bump to 6%, then bumped to 8% for final design
WHY SCS WORKS

• SCS works to modify the soil particles by

• Changing cohesion
• Changing capillary and pore structures
• Changing chemical composition of the soil

• The most important factor of these three is altering the chemical

composition of the soil
WHY CHOOSE SCS

Cost effective solution Time saving Long term performance

• Less expensive than • No remove and replace • Soil alterations are

remove and replace. time. permanent.
• Less expensive than • No mellowing period • Future rehab options are
granular subbase. required (minimal if any) less expensive.
• Improved soil bearing • Reduces soil
strength susceptibility to moisture
• Promotes soil drying,
rather than farming the
soils
CHALLENGES WITH SCS

• Can be a dust nuisance for neighbors

• Can be ineffective in heavy freeze/thaw areas
• Can be ineffective in high groundwater areas
QUESTIONS?

Sybil K. Ferrier, P.E.

Construction Materials Testing
sybil@cmtdsm.com
515-263-0794

Special Thanks to Jerod Gross, P.E.!