Soil Stabilization is the alteration of soils to enhance their physical properties. Stabilization can increase the shear strength of a soil and/or control the shrink-swell properties of a soil, thus improving the load bearing capacity of a subgrade to support pavements and foundations. Soil Stabilization is performed in much the same manner as Full Depth Reclamation. A reclaiming machine first pulverizes the soil material in question. An additive is then placed on top of this material. This additive is mixed and re-mixed with the soil until the desired properties are achieved. This process can vary depending on the soils and additives required. Soil Stabilization can be utilized on roadways, parking lots, site development projects, and in many other situations where subsoils are not suitable for construction.
Stabilization can be used to treat a wide range of subgrade materials, varying from expansive clays to granular materials. This process is accomplished using a wide variety of additives, including lime, fly-ash, and portland cement. Other material byproducts used in Stabilization include lime-kiln dust (LKD) and cement-kiln dust (CKD). Proper design and testing is an important component of any stabilization project. This testing will establish proper design criteria in determining the proper additive and admixture rate to be used to achieve the desired engineering properties.
Another form of soil treatment closely related to Soil Stabilization is Soil Modification (sometimes referred to as "mud drying" or soil conditioning). Although some stabilization inherently occurs in Soil Modification, the distinction between the two is that Soil Modification is merely a means to reduce the moisture content of a soil to expedite construction. Alternatively Soil Stabilization can substantially increase the shear strength of a material such that it can be incorporated into the project’s structural design. The determining factors associated with Soil Modification versus Soil Stabilization may be the existing moisture content, the end use of the soil structure, and ultimately the cost benefit provided.
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