By: Matthew W. Singel
​What is the best aggregate to use for roller-compacted concrete pavement construction?  One universal truth arguably impacts construction more than any other factor.  The quality and cost of a project are directly influenced by the quality and availability of construction materials....

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​The question of how thin roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement can be placed is being asked more frequently.  As residential and commercial applications are finding a fit with RCC, thinner pavement sections are being constructed.  Traditionally, RCC pavements have been installed at large industrial facilities (e.g. sea ports, tank hardstands, logging yards) requiring pavement sections as thick as 18 to 22 inches, constructed with multi-lift placement techniques.  However, RCC’s popularity is growing fastest in applications that require thinner sections.

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​Intelligent compaction (IC) refers to the continuous, real-time monitoring of a roller’s effectiveness in achieving a specified density, stiffness, etc.  This continuous feedback approach to pavement construction has tremendous implications in the realm of quality assurance....

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
Golf course sand bunkers can be a maintenance nightmare if not properly installed.  In recent years, one contractor developed a rehabilitation method that integrates the benefits of soil cement with the drainage system resulting in high performance.  Proper irrigation and drainage on a golf course are critical to offer patrons a pleasant experience but also to reduce expensive maintenance issues.  

This soil-cement rehabilitation technique offers maximum drainage in the bunkers plus the long-term performance benefits of soil-cement.  The soil-cement subsurface layer virtually eliminates soil migration that contaminates high quality bunker sand.  This tool in golf course maintenance is gaining traction, having been used on multiple golf courses in Texas and recently in the Southeast.
​
Cement-stabilized soils and aggregates offer many solutions beyond transportation infrastructure.
"This blog was previously posted in the Cement Council of Texas' "Texas Cement and Concrete Blog" (now inactive) and was carried forward to the current blog ("Cementx Pavement Blog") as it contains content that may be of interest to the reader".

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​Extended periods of high temperatures and low rainfall wreak havoc on agriculture, drinking water supply and lake access for recreation.  For civil engineers and public works professionals, these conditions can create an imbalance in the subgrade moisture content, leaving soils under the center of the road at a higher moisture level than the edges, which dry out more quickly.  This is most prevalent on roads with deep drainage ditches (i.e. subgrades with exposed sides).  In the presence of expansive clay soils, deep longitudinal cracking often occurs near the road edge.

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
When stabilizing soils with calcium-based additives (cement, lime, etc.), accurately determining the presence and concentration of sulfates (gypsum) is important.  If high sulfate concentrations are present and not recognized in advance, sulfate-induced heave can occur.  

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​Full-depth pavement reclamation/recycling (FDR) is commonly used to rehabilitate failed asphalt roadways and open parking lots.  But can it be used where tighter geometric constraints are encountered?   The answer is “yes.”

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​An often-asked question when discussing soil stabilizing additives is whether cement or lime is the cheaper option.  This answer goes much deeper than the current price-per-ton comparison.  When asked, this question, I often answer, “that depends”, followed by a series of questions that might include:

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
Two projects in 2012 were let with alternate bids for roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).  TxDOT's new special RCC pavement specification pioneers its use with for many TxDOT applications.