ABSTRACT FOR CEMENT TREATED SUB-BASE

This abstract consists of cement treated sub-base material properties, mix design, methods mix
preparation, construction methodology and quality control standards as per clause
403 of the MORTH / Pavement design specification. This work shall consist of laying and
compacting a sub-base treated with cement on prepared subgrade, in accordance with the
requirements of these Specifications and in conformity with the lines, grades and cross-sections.
The construction of stabilized road pavement layers follow the same basic procedures whether
the stabilizing agent is cement. The procedures can be divided into two main groups:
1. Mix-in-place stabilization
2. Plant-mix stabilization
1. MIX-IN-PLACE STABILIZATION
In this process the material is stabilized in-situ which requires the stabilizing agent to be spread
before or during the pulverization and mixing of the material and stabilizer. This is generally
carried out with a purpose made machine although for small scale work in remote areas
agricultural machinery can be adapted for use. In-situ stabilization generally involves the
following operations:
Initial preparation
This involves placing imported material on the formation and material to be stabilized then has
to be graded to approximately the required levels. After which it is usually necessary to plough to
loosen the material, one or two passes is normally sufficient.
Weather limitations: Air temperature shall not less 10° C.
Degree of pulverization: Not applicable for Sub-base/base course materials.
Spreading the stabilizer
Spreading the stabilizing agent at the required dosage rate can be carried out manually or by
machine. When manual methods are used bags of stabilizer are spotted at a set spacing, they
are then broken open and the stabilizer raked across the surface as uniformly as possible.
Where quicklime is being used, necessary precaution need to be taken to protect the operators.
This is especially true when the stabilizer is being spread by manual method. Mechanical
spreaders automatically monitor the required amount of stabilizer to be spread on the surface of
the soil. Their use results in a much more uniform spread of stabilizer over the surface than can
be achieved by hand spreading. The equipment need to be calibrated before use to ensure that
the correct rate of spread is achieved and subsequently checked at regular intervals to ensure
that the rate of spread remains within specified tolerances.
Addition of Water
If it is necessary to add water to bring the desire optimum moisture content this can either be
done as part of the mixing operation or after the material has been prepared prior to the
addition of the stabilizer. To ensure a thorough distribution of the added water, it is preferable to
add water as part of the mixing operation. Water added during the mixing process should be
through a spray system such that it is added in a uniform manner over the required area and
 mixed uniformly to the required depth.
Mixing of Water and Stabilizer
Robust mixing equipment(Heavy duty rotavators / light duty rotavators , Agricultural Disc harrows
Disc Ploughs) of suitable power for the layer being processed is required to pulverize the soil and
blend it with the stabilizer and water. The most efficient of the machines available to carry out the
operation in one pass, enabling the layer to be compacted quickly and minimizing the loss of
density and strength caused by any delay in compaction.
2. PLANT-MIX STABILIZATION
In this process, the materials are separately batched and mixed at a mixing plant. They are then
transported to the site where they are laid by a grader or paver and compacted. The Advantages
of the process are the good control on proportioning of the materials, multi-layer work can be
executed and good compacted levels are readily obtainable.
COMPACTION
Compaction is carried out in two stages:
1. An initial rolling and trimming which may be carried out followed by a final mixing pass
of the rotovator or placement of material.
2. Final compaction and levelling in the case of cement stabilized material, must be
completed within two hours of mixing.
For cement stabilized materials, once the cement has begun to harden, it is important that the
matrix is not disturbed; hence the requirement that compaction must be completed within two
hours of mixing. The compacted density of the stabilized layer is a measure of the effectiveness
of compaction and hence-of its strength. The degree of compaction to be achieved in the field
can be specified in two ways. In an end product specification, the density of the layer in the field
is determined and compared with a specified target density. Provided that the measured field
density is greater than or equal to this limit the compaction in the field is deemed to be
satisfactory.
CURING
The sub-base/base course shall be suitably cured for 7 days. Subsequent pavement course shall
be laid soon after to prevent the surface from drying out and becoming friable. No traffic of any
kind shall ply over the completed sub-base unless permitted by the Engineer. Proper curing is
very important for following reasons:
1. It ensures that sufficient water is retained in the layer so that the hydration reactions
between the stabilizer, water arid the soil can continue
2. It reduces shrinkage, and the risk of carbonation from the top layer.
The following methods of curing are suggested
1. Curing through spraying water can be much more efficient if a layer of sand 30 mm to
40 mm thick is first spread on top of the layer. In this case, the number of spraying cycles
per day can be very much less and there is a considerable saving in the amount of water
used.
 2. Covering with an impermeable sheeting with joints overlapping at least 300 mm and set
to prevent ingress of water.
3. Spraying with a bituminous sealing compound.
4. Spraying with a resin based aluminous curing compound similar to those used for
concrete. This has particular application where it is desirable to reduce the increase in
temperature immediately under the surface which would result from the use of a black
(bituminous) seal.
5. In a hot dry climate, the need for good curing is most important but the prevention of
moisture loss is very difficult. If the surface is constantly sprayed and kept damp day and
night the moisture content in.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
PRELIMINARY TRIAL
As part of the quality control and in order to make a final decision on moisture content and
stabilizer content, At least 10 days before the main work begins, a trial area should be laid using
the materials, mix proportions, mixing, laying and compaction plant to be used, to check the
suitability of the methods, etc.
SAMPLING AND TESTING FREQUENCY
TESTING FREQUENCY

DESCRIPTION TEST METHOD FREQUENCY

Once initially test for source approval
IS269, IS455 OR
Cement and each one test for each
IS1489
consignment of material
Degree of pulverisation IS 2720 (Part-4) Periodically as considered necessary
Moisture content IS 2720 (Part-2) One test per 250 sq.m
IS 2720 (Part-28 or One test per 500 sq.m
Density of compacted layer
29)
Deleterious constituents IS 2720 (Part-27) As required
CBR or unconfined
IS 2720 (Part-16)
compressive 1 test per 3000 cum of mix
IS 4332(part-5)
strength test on a set of 3
specimens
Thickness of layer - Regularly
Cement content - Regularly through procedural checks

REPORTS / RECORD TO BE MAINTAINED:

 Location, layer and date of lying with RFI
 Plant equipment, labour used.
 DPR of site construction activities
 QC test results (UCS, Field density etc.,).
 Photos for proper curing activities.