It is a process adopted in order to enhance engineering properties of the soil in a bid to enhance its stability. The chemical soil stabilization normally adopts the use of some chemical components to enhance the soils. This is needed in any case the available soil that is to be used in construction turns unsuitable for the preferred function. What is usually entailed is compaction, drainage and also preconsolidation in addition to several other processes.
A look at some specific methods of making the soils stable, their advantages and drawbacks are explained. Also highlighted are reasons as to why some of the leading companies and the polymer-based admixture programs are more superior options for the wide majority of applications. The most commonly methods that are employed in stabilizing soils throughout the world include;
Cement stabilization - It is a highly common procedure that is used in soil compaction. It is adopted mainly due to its cost effective nature and the availability of cement in almost any place. These soils are mixed and combined together with cement to boost its strength and robustness. Final results usually are fair and durable and also resistant to different weathers making this method an ideal choice for sandy environments.
This process however is relatively intensive on labor and may also be harmful to the environment. To add onto this, while the soil cement mixture that is resulted is highly durable, it is sometime also still susceptible to getting cracks.
Lime stabilization - It is yet another very popular method is stabilizing soils. The procedure is usually not nearly cost effective as compared to cement. What actually makes it expensive is the cost of burning limestone that is required in the process. It is also harmful to environment. It however does not increase the strength and soils stability especially in dry environments where materials can be compacted. The compressive strengths ought to be increased in some situations.
Chemical stabilization - They are of a wider group since there are numerous applications that are different. The main advantage of this approach is the possibility of designing a solution that can be specific for any given environment that you will be in need. Consequently, this leads to higher performance and reliability of the approach. Most of the used chemicals in the process are pollutants and they are also costly to acquire.
Polymer stabilization - The methods that are based on polymers are usually more modern techniques. They present various benefits compared to the traditional methods. They also do involve the combining of soils with polymer based materials that are unreactive and friendly to the environment. The major advantage of these procedures is their failure to negatively impact the environment.
From the above, it is clear that various advantages are brought about by each method. Most are cost effective, durable, less prone to damage, easier to maintain and can be used in the correct proportion so as not to harm the environment. Innovative variety of products can be adopted to enhance the properties of the above methods in terms of; reducing water sensitivity, increasing water impermeability, reducing the plasticity index and increasing load bearing volume among others.
A look at some specific methods of making the soils stable, their advantages and drawbacks are explained. Also highlighted are reasons as to why some of the leading companies and the polymer-based admixture programs are more superior options for the wide majority of applications. The most commonly methods that are employed in stabilizing soils throughout the world include;
Cement stabilization - It is a highly common procedure that is used in soil compaction. It is adopted mainly due to its cost effective nature and the availability of cement in almost any place. These soils are mixed and combined together with cement to boost its strength and robustness. Final results usually are fair and durable and also resistant to different weathers making this method an ideal choice for sandy environments.
This process however is relatively intensive on labor and may also be harmful to the environment. To add onto this, while the soil cement mixture that is resulted is highly durable, it is sometime also still susceptible to getting cracks.
Lime stabilization - It is yet another very popular method is stabilizing soils. The procedure is usually not nearly cost effective as compared to cement. What actually makes it expensive is the cost of burning limestone that is required in the process. It is also harmful to environment. It however does not increase the strength and soils stability especially in dry environments where materials can be compacted. The compressive strengths ought to be increased in some situations.
Chemical stabilization - They are of a wider group since there are numerous applications that are different. The main advantage of this approach is the possibility of designing a solution that can be specific for any given environment that you will be in need. Consequently, this leads to higher performance and reliability of the approach. Most of the used chemicals in the process are pollutants and they are also costly to acquire.
Polymer stabilization - The methods that are based on polymers are usually more modern techniques. They present various benefits compared to the traditional methods. They also do involve the combining of soils with polymer based materials that are unreactive and friendly to the environment. The major advantage of these procedures is their failure to negatively impact the environment.
From the above, it is clear that various advantages are brought about by each method. Most are cost effective, durable, less prone to damage, easier to maintain and can be used in the correct proportion so as not to harm the environment. Innovative variety of products can be adopted to enhance the properties of the above methods in terms of; reducing water sensitivity, increasing water impermeability, reducing the plasticity index and increasing load bearing volume among others.
