What it Is Soil stabilization is the process of increasing the strength of highly plastic soils utilizing the chemical effects of lime, fly ash and/or cement.
The addition of these materials modifies the physical characteristics of the clay soils by chemically bonding to and coating the individual particles of clay. This coating repels water, thus reducing the materials sensitivity to moisture and re–aligns the clay particles such that they behave in a manner less prone to shear failure.
Strength gains are also realized from the pozzolanic reactions of these materials. The rigidity of the structure can be controlled by the choice of stabilizer employed.
Reasons For Use
Soil
stabilization is recommended for use in applications where clay material
is typically removed due its low bearing capacity, and replaced with structurally
adequate granular materials.
The application of thistechnology can eliminate the costs of excavation and haul of previously unsuitable material and greatly reduce the purchase and haul of the replacement virgin aggregates. This in turn also reduces the demands on already depleting resources and lightens the load on disposal sites and haul routes.
These stabilized clays will provide a subgrade material that is impervious to water and significantly reduces or eliminates the shrink/swell potential of these plastic soils .