CEMATRIX Cellular Concrete (CCC) is commonly used to reduce settlement of underlying peat and/or soft soil, or reduce loading on unstable slopes. Applications include retaining wall and bridge approach backfill, roadways and runways, and slope stabilization. Use of CCC can often eliminate the requirement for preloading, thus resulting in cost and schedule savings. CEMATRIX supplies and installs CCC with a cast density as low as 400 kg/m3, which is approximately 20% of the unit weight of soil. CCC is non-combustible, resistant to hydrocarbons and will not liquefy during an earthquake. If necessary, CEMATRIX CCC may be easily removed with an excavator, hydrovac, or hand tools.
Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls are constructed using concrete panels attached to galvanized steel or plastic reinforcing elements. Embedment of the reinforcing elements in cellular concrete results in high pullout resistance values with relatively short reinforcing lengths. Once lightweight cellular concrete sets, it does not apply lateral pressure.
Construction of bridge abutment fills over compressible soils can result in substantial settlements as a result of the grade increase. Preloading and/or surcharging the soil is commonly used to alleviate this concern; however, this requires additional cost and time to implement. In crowded urban areas, placement of surcharge soil may not be practical due to space constraints. Use of CEMATRIX Lightweight Cellular Concrete may be used to eliminate the cost and schedule requirements associated with surcharging.
Roadways and runways are often constructed over peat and soft soils. The additional loading on the soils can cause excessive total and differential settlements, resulting in surface distresses to overlying pavements and damage to underlying utilities. Removal of the underlying poor soils is often cost prohibitive and time consuming, especially where deep deposits and/or high groundwater conditions exist. Uncertainty regarding actual ground conditions may increase costs even further. CEMATRIX Cellular Concrete may be used to reduce loading on these soils without costly deep excavations, thus saving both cost and schedule.
CEMATRIX Cellular Concrete (CCC) may be used to reduce loading on unstable slopes. Placement of CCC requires no compaction or vibration during placement. It may be pumped into place from several hundred meters away, thereby minimizing construction traffic in congested areas.