Soil cement

[Andrew Alcorn]

I wrote:
>> If its less than 10% is it still soil cement?
>> I've always thought soil cement was any soil with cement as a stabiliser -
>> at whatever ratio. Frequently it *will* be used at less than 10% - say 7%.
>> You have to do tests with *your* soil to find out the optimum ratio.


Pat  wrote:
>Wouldn't the percentage be dependent upon what the usage was going to 
>be?

True. If it is going to be external and exposed to the weather, it will
probably need a higher cement content. If it is external paving it will
probably need a higher cement content. If it is internal in a low seismic
zone it will probably need less cement.

Engineering strength requirements, requirements for erosion resistance and
the particular soil you're working with are the driving factors.

NB When does it become concrete? Does it matter?


Andrew Alcorn 
Designer/Consultant, Heliotrope Design/Research,
Secretary, Earth Building Association of New Zealand,
Energy Researcher, Centre for Building Performance Research, School of
Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington.

PO Box 600, Wellington,New Zealand, 6002
Tel:  + 64 4 802 6233,          + 64 4 3838 439,        Fax: + 64 4 802 6204