The binder that provides the highest load-bearing capacity is ________.

The binder that provides the highest load-bearing capacity is ________.

• A. Lime
• B. Gypsum
• C. Cement
• D. Asphalt

Answer: (C)

When you’re aiming to increase how much load a soil or subbase can bear, the binding material needs to form a rigid, cemented matrix as it hardens. Cement does this through hydration, creating cementitious bonds that turn the soil into a hard, rock-like material with high compressive strength and stiffness. That strong, durable matrix lets the layer support heavy weights with less deformation. Lime improves workability and reduces shrink–swell in clay soils, but it doesn’t develop as strong a cementitious network, so its load-bearing capacity is lower. Gypsum can help in some stabilization scenarios, yet it also doesn’t reach the strength cement provides. Asphalt binds with bitumen to make a flexible surface layer that distributes loads but does not achieve the high stiffness and ultimate strength of cemented materials. Therefore, cement yields the highest load-bearing capacity.

When you’re aiming to increase how much load a soil or subbase can bear, the binding material needs to form a rigid, cemented matrix as it hardens. Cement does this through hydration, creating cementitious bonds that turn the soil into a hard, rock-like material with high compressive strength and stiffness. That strong, durable matrix lets the layer support heavy weights with less deformation.

Lime improves workability and reduces shrink–swell in clay soils, but it doesn’t develop as strong a cementitious network, so its load-bearing capacity is lower. Gypsum can help in some stabilization scenarios, yet it also doesn’t reach the strength cement provides. Asphalt binds with bitumen to make a flexible surface layer that distributes loads but does not achieve the high stiffness and ultimate strength of cemented materials. Therefore, cement yields the highest load-bearing capacity.