Soil Cement to use as surface for trail.

[cqaigy]

Some years ago, seems like i remember using a product called soil cement. We used it for fencing in areas where there wasn't much soil to bury posts in. We would bar out a hole in the rocky soil, drop a post in and sprinkle in the soil cement while filling the hole with the rocky gravel. Eventually the cement would draw enough moisture to set up.

So anyway, I'm wondering about using something like that to make trails that require less maintenance. Or to make small pads, 4'x4', for patio.

Any ideas?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I am aware of Poly Pavement. I intended to use it this year but didn't get a chance. It looks good to me, maybe I'll give it a try next year?

Poly Pavement

 

[cqaigy]

Thats exactly the look im after. Have you seen this material or located a supply for it?

 

[have_blue]

Soil cement is a very much under used and under rated material. Soil cement is usually mixed on site.

It consists of nothing more than portland cement and soil... any soil.

I think you use about a bag of cement per yard of slightly moist soil. (you can check on the web for precise ratio, but precision is really not needed)

Till up the trail, spread and till in the cement, and quickly pack it nice and smooth. Keep off it for 3-4 days, as it cures slowly.

It looks and wears just great. It's very durable, and even good for driveways if tilled in deep enough and packed nicely.

 

[cqaigy]

have_blue,

I may have to try that out. The soil here is very heavy silty clay and is hard as cement right now. I may have to get creative to mix the cement or wait until the rain softens it up alittle.

 

[RobA]

Has anyone used PolyPavement for a driveway? I am starting to clear some of my property for a driveway. It will be a temporary one until we are ready to move there in about 5 or 6 years. Even then I don't think I will pave the whole thing.

If I am calculating things correctly buying PolyPavement for a temporary driveway 15 feet wide and 400 feet long would only cost about $500-$700 (at 8-12 cents/sq ft). Application sounds easy too. Am I missing something?

 

[Soundguy]

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SC makes for great stabilization.

We recently did a job in putnam county, fl.. the roads there are at the water line.. I.e. when you excavate the subgrade.. there can be seepage and standing water... We HAD to use soil cement for stabilization.. lots of it too. Turned out great.. Was more economical than a 'black base' construction method.. which would have really been our only other choice.

Soundguy

 

[weedsportpete]

Can you snow-plow such a driveway without tearing it up?

 

[have_blue]

I'm guessing as long as you don't gouge, it will be OK. If your plow is feathered just right, I think it will just barely mark it.

 

[Toiyabe]

Check out the Portland Cement Association website for more info - http://www.cement.org/pavements/pv_sc.asp

Two things to keep in mind - the strength of a soil-cement mix is highly dependent on compaction effort. Basically you want to hit it with everything you got as soon after mixing as possible.

Also, if you use too much cement you can get slab action, and it will crack if you don't joint it.

For a trail, the strength of the mix and cracking might not be too important. Probably what you want most is to lock up the fines and reduce the plasticity of the soil.