Have you ever wondered why many of Trinidad and Tobago’s roadways are in a state of deterioration? Many of our streets and local roads are constructed with sub-par materials which do not meet the required construction standards. As such, these roadways lack the requisite strength to withstand the weight of the constant vehicular traffic on a daily basis.

With the aim of introducing more sustainable roadways in our country, TCL conducted extensive research over the past few years which led to the implementation of the Soil Cement Stabilization technique.  This innovative technique alters the physical and chemical properties of a soil mass to conform to the desired characteristics of marginal soils in both strength and durability.

The Stabilization Process

The process involves the combination of Portland cement, soil and water. Cement is added to bind materials together in order to increase its bearing capacity. Mixing these components has proven to improve the durability of the sub-par materials used to construct roadways.

The type of soil, quantity of cement and volume of water all affect soil cement stabilization. While cement stabilization may be applied in fine or granular soil, granular soil is preferable for cement stabilization. A large amount of cement is needed and water must adhere to the quality standards for the best possible results.  The use of admixtures is also important as they play a vital role in the reaction between the water and cement.

Soil Cement Stabilization at Work

We have experienced great success with Soil Cement Stabilization. The technique has been used to rehabilitate one of the haul roads our Mayo Quarry which was in constant need of maintenance. A couple of years have passed and the haul road continues to withstand heavy trucks on a regular basis with minimal maintenance. Research continues on the soil cement stabilization technique while headway is being made with its promotion both locally and regionally.