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Mechanical soil stabilization

What is mechanical soil stabilisation?

Mechanical stabilization of the soil has been accepted as part of civil engineering soil improvement works in construction to meet the requirements. It increases the soil’s shear strength, durability, and load-carrying capacity to meet different structural demands. Therefore, mechanical stabilization supports the soil material to provide a safe foundation for any form of construction.

Types of mechanical soil stabilisation techniques

Compaction methods

Compaction is one of the basic methods used to mechanically stabilize the soil, and it involves forcing the soil particles closer to each other to eliminate voids and increase bulk density.

  • Vibratory compaction: When using vibratory compaction, soil layers are compacted by means of vibratory rollers as they are ideal for granular soil. There are induced vibrations which cause the soil particles to come closer together as evident in the increased density.
  • Static compaction: In this technique, heavy rollers or machines do the work of compacting the soil in a static manner with no vibration. This technique is more effective on cohesive soils like clay.
  • Dynamic compaction: Dynamic compaction involves the use of heavy weights which are dropped over a particular height generating an impact force that compact the soil underneath. This is more advisable for deeper soil stabilization.

Mixing methods

  • Soil-cement mixing: Soil-cement mixing is simply cementing with soil to create a hardened surface that can support heavier loads. Such mixture would result in more compressive strength on soil, although this creates more curing time since the cement will hold higher strength. In addition, the process of making cement requires more energy, making soil-cement mixtures less environmentally friendly.
  • Soil-lime mixing: Soils are mixed with lime; this is primarily aimed at reducing the plasticity and enhancing workability, especially in soils that are clay-rich. Since lime stabilization increases the pH of the soil and initiates chemical reactions that bind the soil particles, hence increasing strength, it is a successful method. Any potential merit gained for applications requiring better moisture resistance and improved soil resistance to shrink/swell behavior will be acquired.
  • Additives for enhanced performance: Depending on the specific requirements of project, other additives such as fly ash and polymers can be integrated for enhancing special soil properties. Fly ash would increase the water resistance and strength of the soil, and polymers increase the flexibility and freeze-thaw stability of the soil. With this, civil engineers can tailor soil stabilization techniques within different environmental conditions based on adding specific performance characteristics with additives.

Reinforcement techniques

  • Use of geogrids in soil stabilisation: Geogrids are artificial materials designed in a grid form; they stabilize the soil by redistributing the loads. They are utilized efficiently to administer significant success in slope stabilization and embankment reinforcement as these reduce lateral displacement and prevent soil movement. Geogrids like StrataGridTM uniaxial geogrids thus are placed in layers within the soil to stabilize the structure and augment the load distribution.
Mechanically soil stabilisation for a roadway improvement project using StrataGridTM uniaxial geogrids by Strata Global
Mechanically soil stabilisation for a roadway improvement project using StrataGridTM uniaxial geogrids by Strata Global
  • Soil nailing as a stabilisation technique: In soil nailing, steel bars, or nails, are driven into the ground at specific angles to harden and stabilize soil structures. This particular technique generally employs anchoring slopes and retaining walls to create additional hold by gripping soil layers together. In short, soil nailing anchors soil particles into place for keeping the slope stable and provides the site of the building with a good stable support on steep and unstable ground.

What are the factors affecting mechanical stabilisation of soil?

Soil types and characteristics

  • Cohesive vs. granular soils: Cohesive materials such as clay consist of fine particles that interlock with each other effectively whereas granular materials such as sand, are composed of large particles that require more compression effort.
  • Moisture content considerations: Achieving optimal soil compaction requires managing the optimum moisture content—the ideal level at which soil reaches maximum density when compacted. Too much or too little moisture can lead to issues like rebound or bulging, so maintaining this balance is essential for effective stabilization.

Project requirements and site conditions

  • Load-bearing capacity: Design solutions with high load requirements such as  for example highways or high-rise buildings need increased load carrying ratios. Some stabilisation methods are particularly designed for heavy load bearing soil applications. When the soils are enhanced, resistance to loads is increased.
  • Environmental factors and regulations: Modifications to soil stabilisation techniques may be necessary in order to meet specific regulatory requirements without causing damage to the environment.

Benefits of mechanical soil stabilisation

  • Improved soil strength and durability: Stabilized soil gains increased strength and durability, which boosts the soil’s long-term ability to support structures. This improvement contributes to the overall stability and integrity of construction projects, reducing the likelihood of structural settlement or failure over time.
  • Enhanced load-bearing capacity: Stabilized soil can carry more load, which is very important in case of large structures, roads and other heavy-duty applications.
  • Cost-effectiveness and project efficiency: Mechanical soil stabilization is cost-effective, primarily because it minimizes the need for extensive excavation and large amounts of new material. By reinforcing the existing soil, this technique lowers material and labor costs, streamlining the construction process and enhancing project efficiency.
  • Environmental sustainability considerations: Mechanical stabilization contributes to sustainability by reducing excavation needs and minimizing the use of additional materials, which in turn lowers carbon emissions associated with transporting and processing new soil or materials. This approach helps lessen the environmental footprint of construction projects.

Mechanical soil stabilization provides a reliable and efficient foundation solution for a wide range of civil engineering projects. Its benefits in soil strength, durability, and cost-efficiency make it a valuable approach in building resilient infrastructure that meets modern demands.

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