sio 2 content increases resulting in stronger consolidation it is desirable to use an alkylpolysilicate with a silica content of 30 or more preferably about 50 eps which is used herein is placed into a water miscible organic solvent the preferred solvent is ethanol of course other alcohols can be used eps tms teos or other alkylpolysilicates are contained in the solvent in an amount of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent sufficient to react with the silicates contained in the aqueous solution although alcohol is the solvent preferred because of its versatility and availability other water miscible organic solvents can be utilized these solvents include methanol and higher alcohols glycols ketones tetrahydrofuran thf and dimethyl sulfoxide dmso although ethanol is the preferred solvent higher alcohols also can be utilized as well as other solvents capable of dissolving alkylpolysilicates the concentration of alkylpolysilicate should be in the range of about 10 to about 100 wt percent preferably 20 to about 80 wt percent of course enough alkylpolysilicate should be used to complete the reaction with the organoammonium silicate alkali metal or ammonium silicate the calcium salt which can be used herein is one which is soluble in alcohol or the water miscible organic solvent calcium chloride hydrate is preferred however chelated calcium forms can also be used higher alcohols also can be utilized as well as other solvents capable of dissolving calcium salts and chelates the concentration of calcium chloride hydrate should be in the range of about 10 to about 40 wt percent preferably 20 to about 30 wt percent of course enough eps and calcium chloride solution should be used to complete the reaction with the aqueous silicate in another.