Title:
Caliche: Nature’s Natural Concrete
Author(s):
Luke M. Snell
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
38
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
70-71
Keywords:
clay, soil, slurry, strength
DOI:
Date:
4/1/2016
Abstract:
A massive structure known as the Casa Grande Ruins was built in the 1300s near Coolidge, AZ. The material used to construct Casa Grande was caliche, a natural-occurring clay soil containing calcium carbonate and small percentages of sand and small rocks. For construction purposes, the caliche soil was mined in large lumps, broken into smaller pieces, and mixed with water to make a caliche slurry. Test results for mortar cubes produced using a small sample of caliche are reported, showing that the material has a relatively high compressive strength.