What is Soil Stabilization?

Soil Stabilization is the long-term physical and chemical alteration of soils to enhance their physical and engineering properties. Stabilization of in-place soils by incorporating available additives can increase the shear strength of a soil and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a soil, thus improving the load bearing capacity of a subgrade to support pavements and foundations.

In simple terms, the idea is to add something to a poor soil in order to turn it into a workable and better performing construction material.

Unstable soil can be defined as soil that will not stay in place on its own, and therefore requires extra support. It should be noted that unstable soil can threaten the stability, security, and safety of infrastructure and can damage, degrade, and even destroy a number of structures, such as buildings, bridges, and roads.

There are a variety of factors that can cause unstable soil including erosion, poor compaction, freeze/thaw cycles and decomposition.

DON’T START FROM SCRATCH!

SOIL STABILIZATION PRODUCES A RESILIENT SUBGRADE OR BASE FROM EXISTING, ON-SITE MATERIALS

Through stabilization, projects are built more cost effectively, perform better, and ultimately last longer. With our equipment and additives available we can stabilize soil at depths up to 18 inches (450 mm) per lift. Because Stabilization greatly improves the underlying materials, the result is often an overall reduction in the final surface materials, thereby helping to reduce the costs associated with typically the most expensive layer in pavement structure.

The result is an extremely durable, yet economical base for pavement and buildings. Reduce Waste, Increase Efficiency, and Benefit from a Long-Lasting stable foundation.

Applications include:

• Parking areas
• Building Pads
• Loading docks
• Roads and streets
• Storage areas
• Athletic surfaces
• Airports

The Benefits of Soil Stabilization:

A PRO-ACTIVE SOLUTION:

• Addresses underperforming sub-grades prior to construction rather than reacting to the problem afterwards with costly repairs to pavements, building slabs, and foundations.
• Improved resistance to frost penetration in sub-grade.

IMPROVED PROJECT SCHEDULE:

• Allows for immediate access to sites that otherwise might not be accessible due to poor sub-grade conditions.

CONSERVES ENERGY:

• In-place process means no hauling away or importing of new engineered material.

CONSERVES MATERIAL:

• Recycling existing mrials saves natural resources and energy.

COST EFFECTIVE:

• Existing materials stay on site eliminating unnecessary trucking and disposal costs.
• Increased load bearing capacity means reduced need for over designed footings, slabs and pavement sections.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: 

• Eliminates material disposal concers. 
• Pollution resulting from material hauling is practically eliminated.

The Soil Stabilization Process:

STEP 1: TESTING

Lab tests analyze the aggregate and soil selected for the project and a custom combination of depth, additive and water is designed to meet the load-bearing capacity required for the use of the site.

STEP 2: SPREAD/MIXING
In most cases, the soil and aggregates are pre-existing on site and the proper quantity of additive is applied onto the surface with a calibrated spreader. Then, in one step, a reclaimed/stabilizer blends the soil/aggregates, additive and the optimum amount of water to the required depth.

STEP 3: COMPACTION/CURING
The blended mixture is then compacted using vibratory rollers. Once hardened, the modified material does not compact further under traffic and is resistant to settling. This results in a ready-to-use, durable, subgrade or base.

STEP 4: CONSTRUCTION
The entire stabilization process can be completed over large areas in one day. From

there, further construction operations can then continue on top of the improved surface.

Contact us today to speak with our Professionals and receive a free estimate!