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SOIL STABILISATION

SOIL STABILISATION
Soil Stabilization
It is the process of improving the engineering properties of the soil
and making it more stable.
It is required when the soil available for construction is not suitable
for the intended purposes.
The process includes:
Compaction
Pre
Pre--consolidation
Drainage
D i
Addition of cementing material
Addition of chemical

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SOIL STABILISATION
Uses of Soil Stabilization
Soil stabilization is used:
To reduce the permeability of soil.

To reduce the compressibility of soil.

To increase the shear strength.

To increase the bearing capacity of foundation soil.

To improve the soil for the construction of highways.

To make an area trafficable within a short period of time.

To make city and suburban streets more noise-absorbing.

SOIL STABILIZATION
Mechanical Thermal
Stabilization Stabilization

Electrical Chemical
Stabilization Stabilization

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Mechanical Stabilization
Mechanical Stabilization/Granular Stabilization
It is the process of improving the properties of the soil by changing
its gradation.

Two or more types of natural soils are mixed, composite material is

superior to any of its components.

The soils are subdivided into two categories:

1) Aggregates
Aggregates:: Granular Soils, size > 75m.
2) Binders
Binders:: Soils having cohesion, particles size < 75m. Ideal
binder %age is 25.

Mechanical Stabilization
Proper blending of aggregates and binders to achieve required
gradation.
It should possess both internal friction and cohesion.
The material should be workable.
When properly placed and compacted it becomes mechanically
stable.
Its load carrying capacity is increased.
The resistance against temperature and moisture changes is
improved.

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Mechanical Stabilization
Factors Affecting the Mechanical Stabilization
The mechanical
Th h l stability
b l off the
h mixedd soill depends
d d upon the h
following factors.
(1) Mechanical Strength of the Aggregate The mixed soil is stable
if the aggregates used have high strength. However, if the mixture
is properly designed and compacted, even the aggregates of
relatively low strength can provide good mechanical stability.
(2) Mineral Composition
Composition the mechanical stability of the mixed soil
depends upon the composition of the minerals. The minerals
should be weather resistant.
(3) Gradation the gradation of the mixed soil should be such that
the voids of the coarser particles are filled with finer particles to
obtain a high density.

Mechanical Stabilization
(4) Compaction mechanical stability depends upon the degree of
compaction Normally,
compaction. Normally the compaction is done at optimum water
content.
Uses
Uses
Simplest method of soil stabilization
stabilization..
To improve the sub-
sub-grades of low bearing capacity
capacity..
Extensively used for construction of bases,
bases sub
sub--bases and
surfacing of roads.
roads.

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Chemical Stabilization
Soils are stabilized by adding different chemicals. Its main
advantage is that the setting and curing time can be controlled.

The following chemicals have been successfully used:

Calcium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Silicate
Polymers
Chrome Lignin
Other chemicals

Thermal Stabilization
Thermal stabilization is done either by heating the soil or by cooling it.
Heating
When the soil is heated, its water content decreases.
Decreased electric repulsion between clay particles increases the
strength of the soil.
On heating above 100o C, the absorbed water is driven off and the
strength of the soil is further increased.
On heating 400o C to 600o C, some irreversible changes occur
which make the soil non-plastic and non-expensive.
The clay clods are converted into aggregates.

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Thermal Stabilization
With further heating there is some fusion and vitrification and a
brick like material is obtained which can be used as an artificial
aggregate for mechanical stabilization.
This method of stabilization is quite expensive because of large
heat input. It is rarely used in practice.

Freezing
Cooling causes a small loss of strength of clayey soils due to an
increases in inter-particle repulsion.
When the temperature is reduced to freezing point, the pore water
freezes and the soil is stabilized. Ice so formed acts as cementing
agent.

Thermal Stabilization
In cohesionless soils, water freezes at about 0o C.
I cohesive
In h i soils,il water may freeze
f at muchh lower
l temperature.
The strength of the soil increases as more and more water freezes.
It has been used successfully to solidify soils beneath foundations.
It is normally used when advancing tunnels or shafts through loose
silt or fine sand.
Freezingg mayy cause serious trouble to adjacent j structures if
freezing front penetrates theses areas.
It may cause excessive heaving.
This method of stabilization is very costly.

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Electrical Stabilization
Electrical stabilization of clayey soils is done by a process known as
electro-osmosis.

A direct current (D.C) is passed through a clayey soil and pore

water migrates to the cathode (negative electrode).
It occurs because of the attraction of positive ions that are present
in the water towards cathode.
The strength of soil considerably increased due to removal of
water.
It is an expensive method and mainly used for the drainage of
cohesive soils.