In construction, there are several factors that need to be highlighted before starting the project. One of these important factors is the soil. There are different types of soils, and not every soil is suitable for every construction type. However, there are some techniques or methods that can improve the soil condition, and the construction can be undertaken in that soil. In this blog, we will learn different types of techniques used for soil improvement and their importance.
Soil Improvement Techniques
Soil improvement techniques are often done before construction begins. Some factors, like the weight of the building, soil condition, budget, and equipment, all influence what technique to use for soil improvement. The following are some of the techniques for soil improvement:
Soil Replacement
This technique is usually done where the soil is soft and cannot handle the weight of the building structure. In this technique, weak or soft soil is removed, and it is replaced by good soil or other materials to improve the ground condition. If the weak soil is below the groundwater level, then you need machines to remove the water before adding the good soil. This technique is expensive as the deeper the weak soil, the more costly it will get. The weak soil should not be deeper than 9 meters, and it should be above the groundwater table.
Water Removal
This technique is done for those soils that are in good condition, but they have a high volume of water. Removing this water will make the soil more perfect, and its strength will be enhanced. The removal of water is done through the following ways:
Trenching technique
It is used where the soil is soft and in good condition, but it is filled with water. The water should be less than 3 meters deep, and the digging spaces around it help the soil drain water quickly.
Preloading technique
It is used to press down the soil using heavy weights. This process requires too much time, but it makes the soil stronger and more stable.
Vertical Drain
It is the process where sand and gravel drains are installed vertically to speed up the water removal. This technique works perfectly on soft soils.
Electro Osmosis
This process is used to stabilise the unstable soils like sand, silty soil, and clay. This process doesn’t work well where the soil conducts electricity. This process works faster, but it is expensive.
Dynamic Compaction
This method is the cost-effective one. In this technique, heavy weights are dropped on the ground from above to compress the soil and make it stronger. The heavy weights, which are around 15-40 tons, are thrown from a height of 10-30 meters and compact the soil. This technique makes the loose soil stronger, and it also reduces the risk of liquefaction.
Grouting
It is the process of injecting grouts or other solutions into the ground to fill up the underground layers of the soil. Whether they are voids, fractures, or joints, the layer grouting helps to make the soil stronger and increase the load-bearing capacity.
Geosynthetics
This technique is used for erosion control, containment, and improving the performance and durability of soil. They are made of polymeric material, commonly known as plastic, and are used to solve geotechnical problems at a construction site.
Thermal Technique
In this technique, the condition of the soil is either improved by heating or freezing. Heating is used in cohesive soils, which makes the soil stronger, while freezing is used for soils that are below the water level. Freezing the soil makes it have fewer small spaces in the soil, which makes it easier to hold more weight.
Using Admixtures
Mixtures like cement, fly ash, or lime are added to soil and concrete to increase their strength. This technique stabilises the weak soil and increases its durability.
Why is Soil Improvement Important?
It is important because this process allows for a stronger soil and more durability. The following are the reasons why soil improvement is important:
- This process increases the strength of the soil, which is helpful in supporting heavy weights.
- The soil becomes more durable, which keeps the structure stable and lasts longer while preventing erosion.
- The stiffness of the soil increases, which prevents liquefaction.
- When the soil is stabilised, it allows for a faster construction process.
Conclusion
Soil improvement is a critical part of construction. Improving any soil condition can save a lot of time, costs, and damage to buildings. When you are doing a construction project, always remember to consult an expert and start with soil testing to know what kind of soil you are dealing with. Knowing the soil type will help you in choosing the right soil improvement technique for it. If you are looking for experts in soil improvement, then look no further because Alpha Piling LTD is an ideal choice for you.
