Design of a soil-cement roadbase for industrial pavements

Abstract

This study presents the results of an experimental and analytical investigation for the use of soil-cement as a roadbase for an industrial pavement. such as that at Malta Freeport Corporation. The principal aim is to make use of the excavated in situ material.

Investigations indicate that the soil is suitable. and that an addition of 8% cement at a moisture content of 13% and proper compaction. yield a strong durable material, which meets the requirements imposed by specifications on soil-cement. To be able to design the pavement, further testing was necessary to establish the modulus of resilient deformation (dynamic modulus). Other information such as the optimum soil grading. soil-cement tensile strength and long term uniaxial compressive strength was also determined.

The design considerations of such a pavement are different from those which are required for a normal pavement such as a highway. mainly due to larger loads. Apart from these the pavement also has to withstand a certain degree of deterioration due to static loads.