What Does Soil Stabilization Mean?
Soil stabilization can be defined as the process of treating the soil in order to stabilize soil conditions and improve or alter its physical properties. Stabilized soil ultimately must have improved strength and durability than it had before.
Stabilization can be achieved using techniques such as:
- Compaction.
- Dewatering.
- Freezing.
- Addition of material to the soil.
Soil stabilization is broadly classified into three types namely, biological, physical, and chemical.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Soil Stabilization
Soil stabilization techniques generally fall into three categories: physical, chemical, and biological.
Physical Stabilization
Soil stabilization using physical means includes drainage and compaction. Drainage or dewatering, removes excess water from the soil using pipes and pumps. Compaction makes the soil denser reducing its compressibility and increasing its water-resistance.
Chemical Stabilization
使用化学方法实现土壤稳定d by using various substances that act as compaction aids, water repellants, or binding agents. Commonly used chemical agents are cement, lime, and fly ash.
Biological Stabilization
Soil stabilization using biological means can be achieved using afforestation or planting that helps in controlling erosion. Biological soil stabilization is suitable in terrains that are exposed to the influence of water and wind. However, this type of soil stabilization requires support from other types of stabilization until the plants are strong enough to support the soil.
