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Cement technology in road construction thrills Ikpeazu

By Gordi Udeajah, Umuahi
21 September 2015   |   2:26 am
Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has applauded the use of Cement — also known as Rigid Pavement Technology — in road construction. The governor who spoke after the technology was experimentally used on the 400-metre road construction at Aba, said he was pioneering this technology in Nigeria with the construction of three roads —…
Road being constructed with Cement Technology at Aba, Abia State.

Road being constructed with Cement Technology at Aba, Abia State.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has applauded the use of Cement — also known as Rigid Pavement Technology — in road construction.
The governor who spoke after the technology was experimentally used on the 400-metre road construction at Aba, said he was pioneering this technology in Nigeria with the construction of three roads — Eunuc, Omeni Drive and Owerri roads — all in Aba.

Ikpeazu said that the technology, which he considered more durable and more sustainable, would be subsequently extended to other road construction projects.

According to him, construction engineers are currently using a mixture of crush rock-based materials and other items to achieve a thickness fill and compaction to the level of 300mm. Thereafter, they will do a concrete reinforcement cast with 8mm to 10mm-high tensil (mash of wires) reinforcement bars over the stabilised base before treating it with prime coat and asphaltic concrete.

The governor disclosed that though the cost of the technology is higher than those of the conventional construction methods, he has chosen to experiment with it as a means of strengthening the load-bearing capacity of roads in Abia and to boost the strength and quality of the finished work, adding that roads constructed with the new technology have sustainability guarantee of 10 to 20 years.

He further posited that the cement technology would address the challenges raised by the soil examination conducted on the three roads, just as the process involves soil stabilization, a process of introducing materials that have properties which the routine construction materials or naturally occurring materials lack.

Ikpeazu cited the cement technology as one used in the construction of airport runways, tarmac and places with heavy loads like machines and equipment. He described the technology as a good solution for achieving sustainable roads in Nigeria. “It is better and also of higher value than the conventional method of using only asphalt,” he remarked.

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