Soil stabilization is a cost-effective solution for many construction projects that are undertaken. Soil stabilization is a process that involves the improvement of soil properties by implementing chemical and mechanical techniques.

The goal of soil stabilization is to maintain or improve the stability of weak soils to achieve engineering goals. Binders such as cement and lime are used to enhance stabilization in soils, developing their engineering properties and generating an improved construction material.

Soil stabilization is a technique used to improve the engineering properties of soil to make it more suitable for construction purposes, such as roads and airfields. It involves various methods and materials that enhance the strength, durability, and load-bearing capacity of the soil.

The cost of soil stabilization varies depending on the method used Soil stabilization is essential for roads and airfields for several reasons:

Improved Load-Bearing Capacity

The load-bearing capacity refers to the capacity and capability of the soil to withstand wear and tear and load without failure. The bearing capacity of a shallow foundation is calculated by multiplying the bearing capacity factors with the soil strength parameter and adding the contributions from the tip and the shaft of the foundation.

By stabilizing the soil, its strength and load-bearing capacity can be enhanced. This is crucial for roads and airfields that must support heavy traffic loads, including vehicles, aircraft, and their associated equipment.

Stabilization prevents excessive settlement, rutting, and deformation of the soil, ensuring the stability and longevity of the infrastructure. With soil stabilization, soil's swell and shrink characteristics are also controlled for better outcomes.

Enhanced Durability

Unstable or weak soil can deteriorate quickly under the stresses imposed by traffic or aircraft movements. Soil stabilization methods increase the soil's resistance to wear, erosion, and deformation.

This improves the durability and performance of roads and airfields, reducing maintenance requirements and costs over time. Soil stabilization provides toughness to the soil with an improved gradation of soil.

This process of improving soil is called soil modification. Soil stabilization also increases pavement thickness which improves durability to another level hence reducing the risk of structural failure.

Mitigation of Water Damage

Unstable soil can be highly susceptible to water damage, especially in areas with high rainfall or poor drainage. Stabilization techniques such as chemical additives or geosynthetics help reduce the soil's permeability and increase its resistance to water infiltration.

Ionic soil stabilization is a proven method of mitigating water damage by swelling. It is an old and non-traditional method from the 1950s and 1960s.

This minimizes the risk of water-related issues like erosion, swelling, and loss of soil strength, which can lead to structural failures. Moisture changes hence come as no threat to the soil if soil stabilization is performed efficiently.

Reduction of Differential Settlement

Differential settlement occurs when different sections of a road or airfield experience varying degrees of settlement. This can result in uneven surfaces, bumps, or depressions that can be hazardous for vehicles or aircraft operations.

Differential settlement is caused by a number of factors, including differences in the type of soil beneath a foundation. Soil stabilization techniques help create a more uniform and stable foundation, reducing the likelihood of differential settlement and ensuring a smooth and safe travel surface.

A few of these techniques include reducing the moisture of soil, usage of polymer stabilizers, and grouting which will provide a predictable degree of improvement to the soil.

Control of Soil Erosion

Unstabilized soil is prone to erosion, especially during heavy rains or windy conditions. This erosion can lead to the loss of soil particles, the formation of gullies, and the degradation of the road or airfield.

Stabilization methods like geosynthetics or chemical additives help control erosion by improving the cohesion and stability of the soil, preventing its displacement and decay by water or wind

Since environmental wear and tear is a key factor behind soil erosion as well, Soil stabilization reduces the environmental impact of construction projects which is done by reducing the amount of soil that needs to be removed and replaced. 

Conclusion