Frequently Asked Questions

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We typically bid up to 10" thick asphalt, but have pulverized over 14" thick asphalt.

Our Wirtgen reclaimers have 8' wide drums.

Soil Stabilization is the long-term physical and chemical alteration of soils/bases to enhance their physical and engineering properties. Stabilization of in-place soils by incorporating additives can increase the shear strength of a soil/base and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a soil/base, thus improving the load bearing capacity to support pavements and foundations.

Soil Modification is primarily intended to reduce moisture content, reduce PI’s or build soil strengths to bridge poor soils where there is not a structural design consideration.

We guarantee that we will follow the specifications, apply the specified amount of material, mix to the specified depth and meet the agreed schedule. When you require modification to “bridge” unstable soils or reduce moister content we have a wealth of knowledge gained from our many projects successfully completed.

Lime is primarily used to dry soils, reduce plasticity and reduce expansion characteristics. Lime stabilization is the process of spreading and mixing lime into soil/base to improve physical and engineering properties. Lime is also a great product for drying out wet subgrade as well. Adding as little as 1% quicklime can greatly reduce the moisture content.

Cement is primarily used to build strength as part of the design process or to improve the engineering properties of soil. The quantity of cement varies depending on the soil/base and desired results. Sand, silt and gravel soils require cement or fly ash to achieve desired results.

The soil material in soil-cement can be almost any combination of sand, silt, clay gravel or crushed stone. Old granular-base roads, with or without bituminous surfaces can also be reclaimed to make great soil-cement.

Before construction begins, simple laboratory tests establish the cement content, compaction, and water requirements of the soil material to be used. During construction, tests are made to see that the requirements are being met. Testing ensures that the mixture will have strength and long-term durability. No guesswork is involved.

There are four steps in soil stabilization: spreading cement, mixing, compaction and curing. The proper quantity of cement is spread on the in-place soil material. Then the cement and soil material, and the necessary amount of water are mixed thoroughly by a reclaimer. Next, the mixture is tightly compacted to obtain maximum benefit from the cement. The mixture is cemented permanently at a high density and the hardened soil-cement will not deform or consolidate further under traffic.

Curing, the final step, prevents evaporation of water to ensure maximum strength development through cement hydration. A light coat of bituminous material is commonly used to prevent moisture loss; it also forms a part of the bituminous surface. A common type of wearing surface for light traffic is a surface treatment of bituminous material and chips .5" to .75" thick. For heavy-duty use and in severe climates a 1.5" asphalt mat is used.

Cement is primarily used to build strength as part of the design process or to improve the engineering properties of soil. The quantity of cement varies depending on the soil/base and desired results. Sand, silt and gravel soils require cement or fly ash to achieve desired results.

Failing granular-base pavements, with or without their old bituminous mats, can be salvaged, strengthened, and reclaimed as soil-cement pavements. This is an efficient, economical way of rebuilding pavements. Since approximately 90% of the material used is already in place, handling and hauling costs are cut to a minimum. Many granular and waste materials from gravel pits can also be used to make soil-cement, saving high-grade materials for other purposes.

Highway and city engineers praise cement stabilization performance. It offers low cost, long life and high strength. Soil-cement is constructed quickly and easily-a fact appreciated by owners and users alike.

Soil-cement thicknesses are less than those required for granular bases carrying the same traffic over the same subgrade. This is because soil-cement is a cemented, rigid material that distributes loads over broad areas. Its slab-like characteristics and beam strength are unmatched by granular bases!  Hard, rigid soil-cement resists cyclic cold, rain and spring-thaw damage.