Start with a Good Foundation
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A good foundation is important
for any structure, especially pavements. The pavement base provides
the thickness and stiffness necessary to carry heavy traffic loadings.
Cement-Treated bases have provided economical, long-lasting
pavement foundations for over 70 years. These pavements combine
soil and/or aggregate with cement and water, which are then compacted
to high density.
The advantages of stabilization are many:
- Cement stabilization increases the stiffness and strength of the base material. A stiffer base reduces deflections due to traffic loads, which results in lower strains in the asphalt surface. This delays the onset of surface distress, such as fatigue cracking, and extends pavement life.
- The strong uniform support provided by cement stabilization results in reduced stresses applied to the subgrade. A thinner cement-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 pavement bases. Cement-stabilized pavements form a moisture-resistant base that keeps water out and maintains higher levels of strength, even when saturated.
- A cement-stabilized base also reduces the potential for pumping of subgrade fines.
A stabilized base spreads loads and reduces stress on the subgrade.
| Unstabilized Granular Base |
Cement-Stabilized Base |
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More About FDR:
Asphalt Pavements
How FDR Works
Start with a Good Foundation
FDR Research In Progress
FDR Recent Projects
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