• Road Stabilization

    A road is only as strong and durable as its base . . . and the stability of the road depends on the proper interlocking of the aggregate. Calcium Chloride optimizes base stabilization.

    Calcium chloride

    • penetrates the road aggregate, coating the particles and binding them together.
    • Binding action keeps the road dense and compacted speeds compaction of the base materials.
    • maintains moisture in road base to minimize the loss of fines, and maximizes the service level of the wearing course.
    • reduces gravel costs during construction and maintenance
    • provides a cost-effective alternate in recycled asphalt bases

    Test reports show that Calcium Chloride contributes to the strengthening of roads:

    A) Trow Ltd., “Calcium Chloride Use for Gravel Road Stabilization and Strengthening, Foss Road Trial, Town of Pelham Ontario,“1985.

Calcium chloride was applied at various concentrations on different parts of the test road making sure it was well mixed into all materials for maximum penetration.
    Out of this trial came a recommended method for optimum base stabilization. 
Depending on local conditions, new materials should be granular A in which 10-15% of fines pass a No. 200 sieve. 

Calcium chloride should be applied at a rate of 1% by weight of materials. 
Calcium chloride should be thoroughly mixed with all materials to ensure a penetration to the full-depth 150 mm (6 in.) of the granular material. 

The road should be compacted with a smooth drum vibratory compactor. 
Although the optimum rate of application is 1% calcium chloride by weight, results showed calcium chloride contributed to the strength of the road regardless of its application rate or penetration. Unlike some stabilizing agents, such as oil emulsion, calcium chloride allows room for error. 



    B) CALCIUM CHLORIDE: Adds Strength and Durability
Emery, J. “Evaluation of Calcium Chloride Base Stabilization Trials, Town of Pelham, Ontario,” 1986.

Further testing by JEGEL showed that, if a road is carefully stabilized according to the recommendations established by Trow in 1985, a Granular Base Equivalent of 1.3 can be expected. In other words, compared to a road with a granular A base, a road with the same base, but stabilized with calcium chloride, would be 30 percent stronger and more durable. That means calcium chloride roads will last longer.

    C) The American Road and Transportation Builders Association estimates that calcium chloride will double the life of a paved road that has been stabilized to a depth of 150 mm (6 in.) and surfaced with 50 mm (2 in.) of asphalt.
    Source: Morris Chemicals Inc.