Presenters Information:
Francisco Javier Castañeda Garay
Soil specialist with an M.Sc. in Highway Design, Construction and Operation and serves as Manager of the Infrastructure Division at Grupo Calidra, providing technical leadership and advisory services on soil stabilization for major infrastructure projects. He participates in multiple technical committees and international associations, and contributes to standards development (IMT, ONNCCE, ASTM). A former university professor who has lectured across the Americas and the U.S., he collaborates with research centers and universities and is the author of the book "Estabilización de Suelos con Cal" (Soil stabilization with Lime) and other key publications on lime soil stabilization.
Luis Sergio Martinez
Civil Engineer with over 12 years of experience in heavy civil construction. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) formerly UTPA. Throughout his career, Luis has worked with major construction firms including IOC, Foremost Paving, Dragados, and Posillico Civil, contributing to large-scale infrastructure projects across roadway construction, drainage systems, concrete structures, and bridge construction. His expertise combines strong technical knowledge with practical field experience, allowing him to successfully manage complex construction operations while maintaining a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency. Luis is also a founding partner of VMT, a company specializing in the sale of lime slurry for soil stabilization in roadway and infrastructure projects, supporting contractors and agencies with high-quality materials and reliable service.
Topic of Presentation:
Lime for Soil Stabilization: Benefits, Quality & Slurry Application
Synopsis:
This technical presentation explores the engineering principles, field performance, and specification requirements of lime stabilization for roadway subgrades in South Texas. With expansive clays, high PI soils, and caliche variability common across the Rio Grande Valley and coastal regions, lime treatment remains one of the most effective and economical ground improvement methods approved by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).