Soil stabilization involves altering natural soil properties to improve its engineering performance. The process of soil stabilization involves mechanical, chemical, and biological methods. These methods use cement, chemical additives, or other materials to improve soil properties.
The foundation is the most important part of road construction, as it transfers loads to the underlying soil. The long-term performance of pavement structures depends on the stability of the underlying soil. Natural soils often lack the required engineering properties in their natural state. Thus, soil stabilization is necessary to modify these soils for construction.
Soil stabilization techniques create a more durable foundation by modifying the engineering properties of natural soil. Here’s a closer look at the key benefits:
Soil stabilization strengthens poor-quality soil which supports heavier loads. This eliminates the need for costly high-quality aggregates. Additives such as binders and aggregates act as binding agents, improving the subgrade’s load-bearing capacity.
Stabilized soils resist degradation from traffic and environmental factors. Consequently, roads enjoy a longer lifespan, fewer repairs, and reduced costs.
Soil stabilization helps regulate moisture levels within the subgrade. This minimizes shrinking and swelling caused by moisture fluctuations. This is achieved through the incorporation of drying agents or adjusting soil properties.
Unstabilized soils can erode because of factors like wind, rain, and traffic. Stabilization binds soil particles, reducing detachment risks. This helps reduce sedimentation in waterways caused by erosion.
Soil stabilization improves the road’s durability. Stabilized roads are less prone to issues like potholes and cracks, leading to fewer repairs and cost savings
Soil stabilization offers a cost-effective alternative to the traditional “dig-and-dump” methods. Considerable savings can be achieved by using on-site soil and reducing the need for imported aggregates. Lower disposal fees for unsuitable soils and reduced transportation costs further enhance project efficiency.
Soil stabilization offers significant environmental benefits. Stabilized soils reduce the carbon footprint by minimizing the need for extracting and transporting virgin materials. It also controls erosion, protects waterways from sedimentation, and preserves ecological health. Roads constructed on stabilized soils also improve the air quality because they do not produce as much dust.
Soil is a natural mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, minerals, air, and water. Its composition varies due to climate, parent rock, and other factors. Therefore, it becomes paramount to understand the nature of soil due to its complex nature and how it influences a construction project.
Clay is a fine-grained soil type composed primarily of particles smaller than 2 micrometers in diameter, known as clay minerals. Clay is high in plasticity, meaning it can be molded when moist but becomes hard and brittle upon drying. Clayey soils have a high affinity for water, leading to changes in volume with fluctuations in moisture content.
Clay mineralogy relates to the specific types of clay minerals present in soil. The specific type of clay mineral (kaolinite, illite, smectite) affects how the clay behaves due to variations in its chemical makeup. For instance, smectite clays exhibit higher swelling potential compared to kaolinite clays due to their unique crystal structure.
Cement is a binding material commonly used in construction. When mixed with water, cement undergoes a chemical reaction called hydration, forming a strong, rigid paste that binds particles together. In soil stabilization, cement improves the strength, durability, and water resistance of the soil.
Sodium chloride (salt) has limited applications in soil stabilization, as its effectiveness depends on soil type and moisture conditions. It can improve the strength of some fine-grained soils, however, its efficacy depends on the soil type and moisture conditions. Salt can be corrosive to steel reinforcement and may not be suitable for all construction projects due to environmental concerns.
Brick dust (crushed or ground recycled brick material) can be used as a low-cost alternative to virgin aggregates in some soil stabilization projects. When combined with other stabilizing agents like cement or lime, the strength and drainage properties are highly improved. Brick dust’s effectiveness in improving soil properties varies depending on soil type, moisture conditions, and the quantity used. Using brick dust as a soil stabilizer can help reduce industrial waste and minimize the carbon footprint of construction projects.
Soil stabilization techniques are categorized into three main groups: mechanical, chemical, and biological. Each method offers its advantages and applications depending on the specific soil conditions and requirements of the project.
Mechanical stabilization involves physically altering the soil structure to enhance its properties.
Introducing chemical additives that react with the soil to modify its properties is termed the chemical stabilization of soil. These additives bind soil particles together, augment strength, and alter water resistance.
The biological stabilization of soil makes use of natural processes to boost soil properties, primarily for erosion control. It involves planting vegetation whose root systems improve long-term soil cohesion and reduce vulnerability to erosion.
In roadway improvement projects, unstable subgrade soils pose serious hurdles. Strata tackles these challenges with its array of geosynthetics solutions like StrataWeb geocell and StrataGrid uniaxial geogrid. StrataWeb and StrataGrid work by reinforcing the subgrade, creating a more sturdy foundation for the roadway. These geosynthetics reduce the need for thick base and sub-base layers, significantly saving on construction costs.
StrataWeb geocell features a unique honeycomb-like structure that excels at confining infill material. This reduces movement and lateral spreading, resulting in better load support and slope erosion resistance. The clients enjoy the multiple configurations offered by StrataWeb®, including deep texturing and engineered perforations, to optimize drainage within the infill material. StrataWeb® can be tailor-made for specific project requirements and features a collapsible design for easy transport and deployment.
StrataGrid boasts an exceptional tensile strength and reinforces soil in both vertical and horizontal directions. It is manufactured from high-tenacity polyester yarns. A UV-stabilized coating ensures long-lasting performance even in harsh weather. Notably, StrataGrid exhibits minimal elongation, providing reliable soil reinforcement for the best slope stability.
Strata Geosystems’ extensive portfolio features numerous cases that illustrate the versatility of their products in soil stabilization. Here are some success stories where Strata provided rapid and tailor-made solutions for their clients:
In the high-rainfall zone- Aamby Valley, it was observed that the eroding soil threatened nearby structures. Traditional retaining wall constructions were not viable due to time constraints. Strata provided a rapid solution using StrataWeb® geocells to contain the ground and support the building foundations. The proposed gravity wall consisted of in-filled geocell panels stacked one on top of the other. The bottom layers were spread out using steel spikes and compacted with a vibratory plate tamper. The geocell structure efficiently reinforced the soil and prevented further erosion. A tiered structure of the wall created a natural-looking ledge that was suitable for the growth of vegetation, while the StrataWeb® system made sure the structure was no longer vulnerable to heavy rainfall. This project demonstrates StrataWeb® geocells’ efficiency in providing rapid, economical, and aesthetically pleasing soil stabilization.
In Amravati, India, Technocraft Industries encountered a serious hurdle during the construction of their new yarn mill’s internal road network. The expansive soil on-site posed a challenge for creating a strong pavement foundation as it was prone to movement. Strata’s geotechnical experts recommended using StrataWeb geocell for foundation reinforcement to improve the load-bearing capacity of the weak soil. The geocells confined the soil with ease due to its three-dimensional structure, distributing the load to a wider area and reducing stresses on the overall crust thickness. It also ensured the longevity of the pavement by reinforcing soil within. The ease of installation of StrataWeb® streamlined work execution, offering a cost-effective alternative to the conventional 200 mm concrete GSB.
Strata Geosystems always delivers top-notch performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility when tackling soil stabilization challenges. The solutions proposed by Strata create a solid foundation for your roadways by employing the most optimal practices for soil stabilization. The modular design of their products leads to faster installation and reduced labor costs. Thanks to Strata’s expertise, you can enjoy optimized designs that use fewer materials leading to a lesser strain on the budget. The longevity of your projects will be guaranteed as the products require minimal maintenance. Choose Strata to access our extensive range of geosynthetics and a dedicated team of engineers offering tailored solutions for your needs. Get in touch today to discuss your project requirements and build your road to success.
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