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Markham Vale Environment Centre, Markham Lane,
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5HY
T: 01246 827299 F: 01246 827266 E:
info@independentstabilisation.com
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BENEFITS OF STABILISATION
Adding a stabiliser to soil can allow local material to be re-cycled
with great commercial benefits to a site owner. What would have been
considered without value can be turned into a valuable resource in
situ. This in turn provides logistical and environmental benefits.
- Transport movements both off and onto site are minimised.
- No tipping or landfill charges need be incurred.
- Local area impact of your project is reduced - less noise and less heavy vehicle movement.
- Source materials are re-used while expensive new-fill useage is minimised.
Stabilisation
is used for both cohesive and non-cohesive soils. It is used to produce
both sub-base and base layers. With cohesive soils, the strength of the
soil is increased initially using quicklime, then treated with cement,
pulverised ash (pfa) or blastfurnace slag (ggbs).
Non-cohesive soils
can be treated using cement alone or again using a combination of
cement, pfa or ggbs. The exact specification of the stabilisation
process used depends on the durability required of the site. Sub-base
and base thickness, top surface thickness and other factors are all
balanced by our professional engineer to maximise long-term performance
stability, the ability to cope with anticipated traffic and local
weather conditions.
The
Independent Stabilisation Company Ltd have the engineering skills,
laboratory back up and practical experience to produce quality results.
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PROCESS & SPECIFICATION
The key to stabilisation is in the proportion
of binder mixed with the soil. Proportions are analysed as a percentage
of dry mass. In real site conditions the proportions used vary with
different soils and other factors. ISCL specialists will provide you
with guidance in each particular case.
Your ISCL professional specialist will look at
parameters such as:
- Compressive strength and/or Bearing Capacity.
- Stiffness as measured by a Nottingham Asphalt Tester.
- Timing of the overlay. When this is done and the extent of traffic both prior to and following the overlay.
- Compressive strength required, along with frost analysis to determine frost resistance.
- Volume stability when immersed in water. (As per BS 1924:1990 Part 2 immersion test).
The above parameters demand laboratory analysis
of the soil base in most instances, and ISCL provide these analyses as
part of their service. It is important that site analyses are done by
an experienced professional, familiar with the measurements required.
Once again, the experience of our soils engineer is vital in
understanding the typical ground conditions found on site. |
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DESIGN & TESTING
Our qualified engineers with experience in
stabilisation will look at a host of factors in determining the best
approach to creating a durable long lasting sub-base. Elements that
warrant particular attention are:
- Plasticity
- Moisture content
- Sulfur compounds
- Organic matter
- Strength Characteristics
In addition, the design of the mixture will take
into account factors relating to the use of the stabilised site. The
stabilisers used affect the properties of the final mixture. For
example:
- Quicklime reduces plasticity and makes the base more workable with moisture.
- Quicklime in combination with other stabilisers can lead to chemical changes in the stabilisation mixture.
- Pfa reacts with quicklime and this reaction is altered by ambient local temperature.
- Ggbs is activated by Quicklime. It can
provide greater strength than Quicklime alone, but attention has to be
paid to ambient temperature and the time allowed for the mixture to
cure.
- Cement with or without Lime can be used to achieve quicker strength targets.
- Moisture Content throughout the stabilisation process can result in differing effects.
In all cases the prepared mix must be carefully
analysed and monitored during preparation and storage. Laboratory
analysis on demand is essential for quality results. During the
construction period more testing and monitoring is required to make
sure a uniform mix is achieved throughout the process.
There is nothing intrinsically complex about
stabilisation. It therefore offers good commercial benefits during
construction and thereafter. All that is required is to use top quality
professional expertise in design, construction, and testing throughout
the process to ensure the long-term durability of the stabilised area. |
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