Cement Treated Base / Soil Cement: – Cement Treated Base (CTB) is a general term that applies to an intimate mixture or native soils and/or manufactured aggregates with Portland Cement Concrete and water. Other descriptions such as soil-cement, cement-treated aggregate base, cement-stabilized roadbed, and cement stabilized base are sometimes used.
CTB has several COST SAVINGS advantages over conventional bases. First, CTB provides a stiffer and stronger base than conventional base materials, which results in lower strains in the pavement surface. This both delays the onset of common surface distresses, including fatigue induced cracks, and prolongs the life of the pavement system. In addition, due to the higher loading capacity, the thickness of CTB layers can often be reduced in comparison to conventional bases while still carrying the same traffic. Finally, the use of local soils or in-place materials is often possible with CTB, which can significantly reduce material hauls.
From a construction standpoint, of the biggest advantages of CTB is the ability to maintain a working platform following periods of inclement weather. AG Peltz Group experienced this firsthand while working at the Honda Plant. In the early job phases construction delays were common as the existing dense grade base would become saturated and unworkable for days at a time.
Honda personnel approached A.G. Peltz about co-developing a solution that would be both cost effective and allow construction targets to be maintained. This solution was 4″ of CTB. AG Peltz mixed and placed the materials with the same equipment and process as conventional RCC. It took minimal time to discover that once the cement hydration process was underway and materials interlocked– the CTB layer was virtually impenetrable to water. AG Peltz was able to place RCC within 24 hours of excessive rainfall. Cost competitiveness also was maintained as the base layer was reduced from 6″ of aggregate base to 4″ of CTB. The end results is that Honda regularly uses CTB as part of their paving program..
AG Peltz has continued to grow its presence in placing CTB since the initial Honda project. They have completed projects with strict testing requirements, including high strength mixes for the Pensacola Airport (FAA Specifications) and lower strength mixes for the Alabama Department of Transportation (Soil-Cement). In each case, the use of local materials mixed with cement and water was more economical than hauling in select granular materials. Economy, quality, innovation – the AG Peltz way.