Soil Stabilisation - Learn About Various Methods of Soil Stabilisation

The stabilisation of soil is basically an improvement program through which characteristics of a soil type present on a construction site is altered and engineered in a way to accomplish the construction project successfully. It is equally important for both commercial and domestic projects.

To stabilise soil is necessary because of various reasons, some of which include resistance from the damage caused by water or adverse environmental conditions, for improving tolerance for bearing heavy weights, etc. There are various ground stabilisation contractors, which provide expert services in the stabilisation of soil and modification of the soil type.

Experienced contractors

A good contractor evaluates and accesses the area of construction properly to find out the areas of improvement and modification, which is needed for the safe ongoing of the project. Experienced engineers and workers imply the use of advanced tools and effective technologies to overcome any observed shortcomings.

Ground stabilisation contractors adopt three major categories of stabilisation method, which includes mechanical methods, chemical methods and use of polymers, to modify the soil or to alter it positively.

Soil stabilisation through mechanical methods

There is various equipment used by contractors to mix and stabilise soil in order to modify it. For slope and soil stabilisation various equipment like crane box drilling, portable rigs, Skid Mountain drills, etc. are used.

Mechanical methods like Shotcrete and excavation may take more time than other methods because they need manpower and force application by them on the soil present on-site.

Chemical methods

Chemical methods may cost you more, but they are adopted for a better permeability of the soil as well as to increase the density of the soil in a controlled manner. Some of the most famous chemical soil stabilisation method includes Lime soil stabilisation, use of sodium silicate and use of sodium chloride.

These methods can be applied on the construction areas where a heavy amount of plastics and other harmful chemicals have been found in the clayey soil and are deteriorating the quality and performance of the soil.

Use of grouting

The grouting technique can be of various types including clay grouting, Bituminous grouting, Chemical grouting, etc. In grouting, Stabilisers are injected into the soil to alter its chemical and physical properties. It is an expensive method and hence one should rely on experts for the proper implication of this method at the site to achieve stabilisation.

Use of polymers or fabrics

Use of polymers or fabrics in soil stabilisation is comparatively a new method. Use of geotextiles in ground stabilisation is an effective method to achieve soil stabilisation in a safer way than chemical methods.

They are also cheaper than various soil stabilisation methods. Uses of metallic strips, synthetics such as PVC, polyesters, etc. are some of the effective ways to obtain soil stabilisation successfully.

All of the soil stabilization techniques are mostly employed in construction projects throughout the world. Out of all, polymer based solutions are rapidly gaining popularity, as they are cost saving, offers environmental benefits, easy to use, and many other significant perks. 

A Basic Guide To Usage And Installation Of Rock Anchors You Need To Know About

Basically, rock anchors are commonly used to resist foundation movement. Most of the rock anchors have pre-drilled hole filled with the grout material.

Rock anchors come in a variety of sizes as well as weight capacities that depend on their usages. However, their installation and use are generally the same.

Simple Steps to install rock anchors

• Drill the hole 

You will need to consider the material that you are drilling into as well as the size of the rock anchors that you will use. You may even need drilling through unstable, loose, and old materials to install the anchor firmly.

• Inject the grout

Before injecting the grout, you will need to clear out maximum debris from drilled hole. You can even fill the drilled hole with the grout from bottom up through top. It will also help you in clearing the holes from debris.

• Insert threaded sheathed anchors and install bearing plate

The sheath will keep threaded anchor away from bonding with grout material since it dries. It will therefore make it almost impossible to tension or turn. Once grout properly sets up, you can then remove sheath.

Now it is time to attach steep bearing place to outside surface of anchored material. Together with bearing plate, this won’t allow any kind of tension to rock anchor once it is installed.

While following the above steps, you can easily install rock anchors. Going for professional services will help you to get the tasks done more efficiently.

Different Types Of Soil Stabilization Techniques To Protect Properties

A new foundation construction or excavation often has soil stabilization as the foremost step. If the excavation or construction is happening in a less busy or barren land, the issue is not that manifold. However, if soil stabilization techniques are to be applied in a busy area, especially near an existing building, it is necessary to take measures to ensure that the adjacent foundation is not hindered in any way, Thus, to prevent the adjacent wall from collapsing or caving in to the excavation, it is important to involve foundation repair specialists into the scene.

Types of soil stabilization techniques

The most common form of soil stabilisation technique undertaken by foundation repair contractors is that of soil nailing. If stabilizing an excavated area, to ensure that the new basement foundation is formed and poured with ease, soil nails are driven into the side of the excavation. This is done by installing a screen of steel mesh and creating a temporary retaining wall by using concrete. Shotcrete-concrete that has been thinned and modified is used in cases of new excavation between two existing building.

Foundation repairs become difficult in densely populated areas as they can disrupt traffic, negatively impact adjacent building-commercial and residential, and damage landscape. It thus becomes extremely important to employ methods that cause the least issues in commercial zones and urban areas. There are few non-destructive foundation repair techniques apart from intrusive soil nailing as well.

Foundation repair specialists have few foundation repair techniques in their hands that do not require complete demolition and replacing of damaged foundation. These involve driving steel piers beneath damaged sections and connecting them with the foundation using specially designed brackets. The settled foundation sections are then raised to restore stability and close cracks. This eliminates the need of large excavation equipment and dumping trucks, thus avoiding major disruptions in busy areas.

How Sheet Piles Support The Construction Safety Measures

The world of construction is indeed a tough one. There are things need to consider to make the work more substantial and smooth sailing.  Certain problems that may arise must be prevented by using necessary methods and processes that would help to alleviate possible damages in the long run.

In construction sectors, certain sheet pilling contractors are stealing the scene to make an advantage to have a more secured area of construction especially when there is a deep excavation near the construction or building, or if the area has subterranean structures or below the water table. The use of sheet pile has led an increase because of the needed specialized machinery as the use of scarce land is growing. And because of its simplicity and reliability its usage is fully extended.

To understand more, what is sheet piling?

Sheet piling deemed as earth retention and used as a support for excavations. By the use of sheets that interlocks, it keeps the soil back to prevent erosions and support the weight of the earth pushed against it. And also, it is most useful in some residential areas to support underground parking, basements, seawalls, foundations and many more. It is basically used in any below grade project that requires a wall for retention.

The vertical interlocking system creates a continuous wall. This is basically used to retain not just soil but even water. Each sheet pile section is dependent upon the soil or water it is driven into. As the sheet piles remains in the ground, it is always remained a permanent retaining structures. Even temporary sheet piles still provide a safe access for construction before it is getting removed.

If the condition of the soil is dense or too hard, impact hammer is used to install sheet piles.

Sheet piling is always a good choice because of the advantages that it takes:

During installation stresses, sheet pile provides resistance. As it is driven into the ground, it has high resistance to the force that is being driven down. And once plastic sheet piles hammered into the ground, it is strengthened and reinforced by steel piles. Another is, it is extremely lightweight and it’s easier for the workers to lift, handle and transfer to the other side or area and is certainly reusable and recyclable. These lightweight sheet piles are suitable to some restricted access and have weight limits like canal two tow paths.

Even if it is soaked or sits for a longer time, its durability still prevails and is long lasting. Due to its built-in stronger joints that is why it is suitable for retaining the earth weight and can endure the force of being driven into place.

Sheet piling contractors install sheet piles it’s either in steel or plastic. The installation is carried out using a range of piling rigs including purpose built rigs. They commonly drive sheet piles in the location.

In terms of the highway relocation project, sheet pile walls are installed especially if that highway has bogs and ponds on the side and in order to mitigate environmental concerns.