What is Soil stabilization?
Soil stabilization is the process that brings about improvement in the performance of the soil subgrade or soil base.
Soil stabilization may be a procedure wherein the engineering properties of the soil are altered and enhanced to extend its suitability for construction purposes. In engineering, stabilization may be a technique to refine and improve the engineering properties of soils like mechanical strength, permeability, compressibility, durability, and plasticity. Physical or mechanical improvement is common but some schools of thought like better to use the term ‘stabilization’ in regard to chemical improvements within the soil properties by adding chemical admixtures.
Hello friends, I will introduce this page to stabilization. In this topic we can find out what is soil stabilization, types of stabilization, mechanical stabilization of soil, require material, equipment, and construction procedure. So let’s begin
Stabilization brings about improvement in the stability and bearing power of soil. These changes are brought about through controlled proportion compaction and the addition of a suitable stabilizer or admixture.
To improve the soil power in the road pavement to bear vehicles load stabilized the soil required.
Type of Stabilization
This is a very common process of road construction that is used in almost all types of Road construction projects. Generally, stabilization is classified into two types. Which discuss in detail below:
- Mecanical Stabilization
- Chemical Stabilization
Mecanical Soil Stabilization
Mechanical stabilization involves the utilization of physical processes. it’s the modification of soil porosity and inter-particle friction or interlock for instance by compaction. Unlike chemical stabilization, it changes only the physical properties of soil through compaction, soil blending (adding fibrous and non-biodegradable reinforcement), or placing a barrier on the soil.
The factors affecting the mechanical stability of soils include;
Mechanical strength and purity of the constituent materials
Percentage of materials and their gradation within the mix
Degree of soil binding happening
Mixing, rolling, and compaction procedures adopted within the field
Environmental and climate
Chemical Stabilization
Depiction. Compound stabilizers, otherwise called soil covers or soil palliatives, give impermanent soil adjustment. Vinyl, black-top, or elastic splashed onto the surface of presented soils to carry the dirt found out and limit disintegration from overflow and wind.
Adjustment incorporates common salt and soluble glass among the foremost widely known synthetics utilized for soil. Different synthetic compounds that are added to the dirt incorporate polymers, chrome lignin, alkyl chlorosilanes, silicones, amines, and quaternary ammonium salts.
Actually, just like the name recommends, this strategy includes adding synthetic substances into the dirt. These synthetics respond with the dirt which consequently makes its design be changed. The synthetic compounds seal the space between particles, ruling out water to infiltrate through. Among the foremost well-known synthetic substances that are utilized for soil, adjustment incorporates common salt, salt, and soluble glass. Different synthetics that are added to the dirt incorporate polymers, chrome lignin, alkyl chlorosilanes, silicones, amines, and quaternary ammonium salts.
Techniques of soil stabilization
Depending upon the result achieved by various stabilization techniques they can group under.
Proportioning
In this method, various soil proportioned in the suitable proportion which gives desired results from compaction.
Modifying agents
Lime and cement can use for modifying the soil stabilized. Lime and cement is the main agent yo the stabilization of soil.
Cementing agent
The addition of cementing mates like lime, lime fly ash, or cement, considerably enhances the strength and stability of stabilized soils.
Waterproofing and water-repelling agents
A good stable soil may become soft and weak if water somehow gets enforced. Bituminous materials are the most commonly adopted waterproofing materials.
Water-repelling agents like vinyl resin when added to materials to stabilize, render stabilized soil waterproof.
Water retaining agents
Calcium chloride is one such compound, added to stabilized soil, that will continue to absorb moisture from the atmosphere and maintain OMC in soil.
What are the advantages of soil stabilization?
- Increasing Strength including shearing and compressive strength.
- Minimizing permeability
- Minimizing plasticity index
- Decreasing soil compressibility settlement and deformation.
- Decreasing silt and clay size particles
- Waterproofing
- Control the dust particles
Road Construction safety: here
Method of soil stabilization
- Mechanical stabilization
- Bitumen stabilization
- Lime stabilization
- Cement stabilization
Factors affecting mechanical stability
The following factor affects the stability
- Proper proportioning of mix
- Strength of aggregate itself
- Property of soil to be mixed
- Amount of compaction.
Mechanical stabilization
The basic principle of mechanical stabilization is proportioning and compaction properties of granular soils having negligible fines mixed with some binder soil like clay. Its stability and strength both improved similarly the stability of clayed soil can improve by incorporating a proper proportion of granular material in it.
Construction procedure
Prepare the subgrade to correct chamber and profile sprinkler water if felt necessary on the subgrade and soil if with the help of plain sources of 6-ton weights.
Aggregate and soil or fines mixed in designed proportions on a volume basis.
The Moisture Content of the mix is checked and need more water is added to mix with the materials.
Spread this mix on the prepared subgrade and compact it with the help of a plane roller.
If more than one layer is to be laid repeat the process in some way as before.
Field tests should be unducted for Moisture Content just before the compaction of the layer is to start.