In the construction process, project managers have to do more than just direct the build. They have to evaluate the conditions, such as the soil, and make sure the soil can support the building and changes that are being made. Not all soil is made the same, and not all soil is as solid as other types.
When the soil at a work site is not stable enough, the soil has to go through a process called soil stabilization. Soil stabilization is the name for all the processes that are used to stabilize soil to the state that you want the soil to be at.
Vegetation
One popular way to control the soil is through vegetation. For example, if there is an unstable wall of soil near a home, vegetation can be planted that will help keep the soil stable by establishing roots in the soil that will hold everything together. This is a good technique for soil that you don't need to support a structure, but for soil you want to stabilize around a structure.
Decomposed Granite
Next, a layer of decomposed granite can be applied over the soil. The decomposed granite will help prevent the soil from eroding away. The granite will help with runoff and drainage. Decomposed granite works very similarly to vegetation, but you don't have to worry about the success of the plants. Decomposed granite is also really sturdy and long-lasting.
Concrete Blocks
If the soil shifts around a lot, concrete block mats can be used to stabilize the soil. Concrete lock mats are made to trap in both moisture and sediment. They are actually made to be porous and allow roots to grow through the concrete as well, to allow vegetation to help further stabilize the soil. Concrete blocks can really change the structure of the soil and provide much-needed surface level stabilization.
Soil Cement
When you need to not just stabilize the surface of the soil and prevent erosion, but you need to stabilize the entire soil structure, such as the soil under a home or building, soil cement is an option.
With soil cement, the existing soil is removed from the area, mixed with a variety of additives, and put back in place. The additives include the ingredients for regular cement, which helps tighten up the soil and provide a more stable structure. Other things, such as fly ash, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride, and sodium carbonate, are chemicals which can react and stabilize the soil, may also be added as well.
When it comes to stabilizing soil, you need to evaluate why you need to stabilize the soil and the conditions of the soil to determine what type of stabilizing method should be used.
