Cement-treated aggregate (CTA), otherwise known as cement-treated base, is a widely used pavement base for streets, roads, highways, airports, parking lots, and several other pavement projects. It is a blend of manufactured aggregate and/or native soils with a calculated quantity of Portland cement and water compressed and cured to produce a strong, durable, frost-resistant, and all-around paving material. The following are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CTA.
FAQs
What is cement-treated aggregate?
CTA (or CTB) is a strong, durable, and frost-resistant type of soil-cement (SC) formed by densely compacting and curing a mixture of manufactured aggregate and/or native soils with measured amounts of Portland or blended cement and water.
What are the applications of CTA?
The versatility of CTA makes it useful for a wide range of construction projects, such as pavements. Its most common applications include highways (frontage, shoulders, and mainline roads), streets and local roads, airfields (roadways, taxiways, runways, aprons, and parking facilities), and various lightweight to commercial industrial applications (parking lots and driveways).
What purpose does CTA serve?
The objectives CTA hopes to achieve as a base or subbase of pavement application include the following:
- To have a strong and stabilized base for a longer pavement lifespan
- To create a tightly bound and rigid base for increased load-carrying capacity
- To minimize the urban heat island effect
- To reduce maintenance
- To expedite construction
- To provide a sustainable paving solution
What are the general requirements for quality CTA?
The secret to achieving the objectives above is having the quality CTA which lies in obtaining a thorough mixture, compression, and curing of the right amount of ingredients. The fundamental factors for quality cement-stabilized bases include:
- Characteristics and condition of soil, aggregate, cement, and moisture
- The proportion of the mix
- Degree of compaction
- Curing process
Should I consider a cement-stabilized base for my pavement application?
The short answer is YES; you absolutely should. The reasons for choosing CTA as a paving solution are plenty and significant. Some of the benefits you get to enjoy include the following:
- A more rigid and durable base that can withstand any load-carrying capacity than a granular base
- Save immensely on unnecessary repairs and maintenance in the long run
- Enhanced heat retention properties
- Create a pavement that can survive any environmental condition
- A pavement that lasts significantly longer than conventional designs
- Increased water resistance
Is CTA sustainable?
CTA is partly preferred for its sustainability. But many continue to question whether it is a sustainable paving solution. CTA is, without a doubt, a sustainable paving material. Some of its sustainability properties include using industrial by-products; producing highly reflective and visible pavement surfaces for less lighting; reducing the urban heat island effect; water resistance; reducing fuel consumption; and creating durable pavement solutions.
Cement-stabilized bases are highly sought after for numerous pavement applications because of their tremendous benefits and sustainability properties. We hope you’ve understood the basics of CTA from the answers above. However, if you need more information on or related to CTA, our team is on standby waiting to assist. Write to us or call us at (703) 433-9500 for a free consultation.
