What type of soil is best for soil-cement walls?

Sandy or silty soils with low plasticity are ideal; soils with high clay content or organic matter should be avoided.

How is the mixture compacted?

It is compacted in thin layers (usually 100 mm to 150 mm) using hand or pneumatic rammers inside rigid formwork.

What is the minimum curing requirement?

The compacted soil-cement walls must be kept continuously moist for a minimum of 7 days.

IS 2110

: 1980

Code of practice for in-situ construction of walls, in buildings with soil-cement

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeArchitectural · Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing

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This code provides guidelines for the in-situ construction of load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls using soil-cement mixtures. It covers the selection and testing of soils, mix proportioning, formwork requirements, placement, compaction, and curing procedures to ensure adequate strength and durability for low-cost building construction.

Code of practice for in-situ construction of walls, in buildings with soil-cement

Quick Reference Values

typical cement content5 to 10 percent by weight

compaction layer thickness100 mm to 150 mm

minimum wet curing period7 days

maximum soil clod size20 mm

Practical Notes

Proper soil selection is critical; highly plastic clays are unsuitable as they require too much cement and shrink excessively.

Compaction must be done at or very near the optimum moisture content (OMC) to achieve maximum dry density and minimize shrinkage cracks.

Formwork must be exceptionally rigid to withstand the lateral pressures exerted during heavy ramming/compaction of the soil-cement.