How Important is Soil Stability for Construction Infrastructure?

​You've heard the saying, "The foundation of a strong house is a solid foundation." The same is true for construction infrastructure. If the soil isn't stable, your building will be weak and may even collapse. In this article, we'll discuss the importance of soil stability for construction projects and how to check for it. We'll also talk about what you can do to improve soil stability if it's not up to par.

Why is soil stability important for a construction site?
Poorly compacted soil can lead to all sorts of problems. Loose soil can lead to cracks and water damage to the foundation. And if the soil is too dense, it can heave and also harm the foundation. In short, soil stability is crucial because it helps to ensure that your building will have a solid infrastructure that can withstand the elements.

What soil has the least soil stability?
The least stable soils are granular soils. In granular soils, particles don't stick together well, and they have a low unconfined compressive strength of around 0.5 tons per square foot or less. Examples of granular soils include gravel and sand.

How can you check if your soil is stable for infrastructure?
Aggregate stability testing is the most common method to test soil stability. Aggregates are clusters of soil composed of mineral deposits and healed together by plant roots and the residue of barren soil and dead organisms. These aggregates hold the soil together, and testing can determine if they are strong enough to support a construction project.

How is aggregate soil stability testing performed? 
This testing is conducted on-site and measures the soil's resistance to erosion or caving. The test is performed by wetting the soil and subjecting it to a sloping surface. The soil's erosive ability is then measured by the time it takes for soil particles to detach and fall down the slope.

In what ways can you improve soil stability?
There are several reliable soil stabilization methods that can improve soil stability. The four most common soil stabilization methods are:

1. Mechanical Soil Stabilization: This stabilization method uses soil reinforcement to improve soil strength. The reinforcement can be in the form of plastic or metal grids, geo-textiles, or soil nails.
2. Chemical Soil Stabilization: Chemicals are mixed with the soil to improve soil strength. The most common chemicals used are lime and cement.
3. Compaction Soil Stabilization: Compaction equipment is used to improve soil density by crushing up the soil particles into fine particles. The most common type of compaction equipment is a roller.
4. Polymer Soil Stabilization: Polymers are used to improve soil strength. A popular polymer used to improve slope stability are Envirotac products.

Work with Soil Stabilization Experts
If you have any questions about improving soil stability on your project, please contact us today. Environmental Products & Applications, Inc. dust control products can help save you time and money and provide peace of mind as you move forward with your construction project.