ADVERTISEMENT
Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) with Cement Solves Gravel Road Quandary04-04-07 | News

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) with Cement Solves Gravel Road Quandary




img
 

Asphalt (chip seal) is placed over the cement-stabilized gravel road.


The Portland Cement Association (PCA) reports Fairfield County, S.C. had a problem?EUR??,,????'??+220 miles of gravel surfaced county roads, not only inferior road surfacing, but costing the county $200,000 a year to maintain.

An engineering consulting firm came up with a solution: Noting that South Carolina DOT had been using full-depth reclamation (FDR)?EUR??,,????'??+a method that uses cement to rehabilitate failed asphalt pavements, why not apply the same method on the gravel roads?

That advice was taken. The gravel was blending with cement and subgrade materials to a depth of six inches. Over this cement-stabilized base was spread a thin asphalt surface (chip seal).

The consulting firm says the road rehab has saved the county over $70,000 dollars per mile, compared to standard asphalt pavement (a two-inch surface and six-inch aggregate base). The firm estimates a savings to local taxpayers of approximately $1.5 million.

The county plans on converting 16 more miles of gravel roads this year.

img