This Guide to Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) with Cement is a product of the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) at Iowa State University’s Institute for Transportation, with funding from the Portland Cement Association. The guide provides a concise discussion of all aspects of selecting, designing, and constructing a reclaimed, cement-stabilized asphalt base in preparation for a new pavement surface layer.

As the nation’s infrastructure ages, agencies at all levels are tasked with maintaining and rehabilitating their infrastructure. Sustainable engineering technologies in pavement rehabilitation, such as full-depth reclamation (FDR), could be the answer for agencies in their quest to provide taxpayers with high-quality infrastructure while being good stewards of public funds. Full-depth reclamation of asphalt pavement is a rehabilitation method that involves recycling an existing asphalt pavement and its underlying layer(s) into a new base layer. The FDR process begins with using a road reclaimer to pulverize an existing asphalt pavement and a portion of the underlying base, subbase, and/or subgrade. Usually the pulverized material is uniformly blended with an additional stabilizing material such as cement to provide an upgraded, homogeneous material. Finally, the stabilized material is compacted in place with rollers. The result is a stiff, stabilized base that is ready for a new rigid or flexible surface course. This guide introduces the FDR with cement process and discusses issues related to project selection, design, construction and testing/quality control.