Soil Stabilization Methods

There are various types of soil stabilization techniques available. They make use of different soil stabilization tools, materials, chemicals, and more.

Vibro Compaction

Vibro compaction is often used for granular soils like gravel and sand. It uses water jetting and horizontal vibratory action to compact the soil, making it more dense. This improves the load-bearing capacity and decreases the risk of liquefaction without the need for fill material.

Vacuum Consolidation

This is best for soft soil improvement, and there are two main types. Vacuum preloading is the cheaper method, and will work if the vacuum load required is less than 80kPa. For more than this, the fill surcharge method may be required to ensure it works correctly.

Soil Preloading

Soil preloading can use fill, vacuum pressure and combined fill, and vacuum preloading. The main goal of this method is to reduce the drainage path, which will in turn reduce the dissipation of excess pore-water pressure or the consolidation of soft soil.

Soil Vitrification

Solid masses may contain harmful chemicals, and soil vitrification involves heating these so that they melt and resolidify. This uses an electric current to generate high temperatures. Devices often include electrical transference furnaces and plasma torches, and this process is often used for both ISV (in-situ vitrification) and above-ground treatment.

Ground Freezing

Ground freezing is a common choice for soil next to excavations that need to be more stable to prevent it from collapsing. It also helps to stop contaminants in the soil from escaping.

It involves drilling and installing pipes in the soil and circulating coolant through them. This has been done for over a century, making it one of the oldest ground stabilization methods available.

Vibro Stone Columns

Also known as aggregate piers, these are crushed stone pillars that go into the soil beneath where a structure will go. It reduces the potential for settlement and liquefaction while improving drainage and load-bearing capacity.

Mechanically