Start with a Good Foundation

A good foundation is important for any structure, especially pavements. The pavement base provides the thickness necessary to carry heavy traffic loadings.

Stabilized pavement bases have provided economical, long-lasting pavement foundations for over 60 yrs. These pavements combine soil and/or aggregate with chemical additives which are then compacted to a high density. The advantages of stabilization are:

• Stabilization increases the stiffness and strength of the base material. A stiffer base reduces reflections due to traffic loads, which results in lower strains in the surface. This delays the onset of surface distress, such as fatigue cracking, and extends life.
• The strong uniform support provided by stabilization results in reduced stresses applied to the subgrade. A thinner stabilized section can reduce subgrade stresses more than a thicker layer of untreated aggregate base. Subgrade failures, potholes and road roughness are thus reduced.
• Moisture intrusion is the nemesis of pavement bases. Stabilized pavements form a moisture-resistant base that helps keep water out and maintains higher levels of strength, even when saturated.
• A stabilized base also reduces the potential for pumping of subgrade fines.

Chemical stabilizers and reclamation equipment can also be used to remedy subgrade deficiencies noted in pre-project evaluation and design. Incorporation of large amounts of subgrade soils (more than 50%) into the reclaimed layer structure is more commonly referred to as Soil Stabilization.

View all Cutting Edge Reclamation Case Studies.