Fixing soil: 4 reliable ways, which method is better to choose

Fixation of soils is called an artificial change in their characteristics. For this, various physical and chemical methods are used. Thanks to this type of transformation, it is possible to increase the strength of the soil, make it more stable, reduce compressibility and water resistance. Today, there are many ways to fix the soil, each of which has certain pros and cons.

Methods of fixing soils

There are a large number of soil strengthening methods. They differ significantly from each other and have certain pros and cons.

Chemical fixation

This type of soil strengthening is carried out by different methods - with the help of cementation, resinization, silicification. The most common technology is cementation. This term refers to the process of injecting liquid cement mortar or milk into the soil. Hollow piles are pre-hammered into the ground.

Cementing is suitable for fractured rock formations. Also, this procedure is suitable for sandy soil, which consists of large and medium fractions. Depending on the porosity of the sand or the size of the cracks, different ratios of cement and water may be used. Also, additional substances are often introduced into the composition - sand, clay and other inert materials.

Resinizing is used to fix fine sands. This procedure is carried out using solutions of hydrochloric acid and urea ash. The compounds are injected into the soil with special injectors.

Silicization is used to fix loess and sandy soil types. To do this, chemical solutions are injected into the soil structure. Commonly used compositions based on calcium chloride and sodium silicate. The result is a silicic acid gel that makes the soil durable and waterproof.

Thermal

This type of fixing is based on the combustion of fuel, which is carried out in wells made in the ground. In this case, different fuels can be used - liquid or gaseous.

Fixation of the soil in the well is carried out under the influence of a flame, and in the body of the array - under the influence of hot gases that penetrate through the pores. As a result of these processes, a column of burnt soil is formed around the well. Its diameter is determined by the duration of firing and the volume of fuel. With this method, it is permissible to fix the soil at a depth of 15 meters.At the same time, the strength parameters can be brought up to 1 megapascal.

To fix weak soils with a high moisture content, it is permissible to use artificial freezing. This method is considered universal and highly reliable.

The essence of this procedure lies in the fact that coolant is passed through the well system. It has a low temperature and takes away heat from the soil. As a result, it is transformed into an ice-ground massif. It is characterized by a high degree of durability and complete water resistance.

Freezing can have different types - it all depends on the type of coolant. So, the brine method and the method using liquefied gas are distinguished. In the first case, a concentrated solution of calcium chloride or sodium is used. It is first cooled in the evaporator of the refrigeration machine to a temperature of -25 degrees. Liquid nitrogen, freon or ammonia are used as a refrigerant in special devices.In the second case, liquid nitrogen is predominantly used. Its evaporation temperature is -196 degrees.

Electric method

This method is suitable for fixing wet clay soil. It involves the use of the effect of electroosmosis. To do this, a constant electric current is passed through the soil. It should have a field strength of 0.5-1 volts per centimeter and a density of 1-5 amperes per square meter. This effect allows you to dry and compact the clay. As a result, it loses its ability to swell.

There is also an electrochemical method, which differs in that chemical components are added to the soil with current - in particular, calcium chloride. This helps to increase the intensity of soil consolidation.

Mechanical method

This type of fortification is considered the oldest. Its essence lies in the construction of various blocks and structures that help keep the soil layers in place. Sheet piling or cantilever mounting can be used for this.

The first option is considered quite expensive. It is mainly used to develop a recess or recess in earth layers that are saturated with water and are located close to the created objects. Sheet piles are required to be introduced into the soil layer prior to excavation. If this condition is violated, soil stability will not be achieved.

The console mount has a different device. It is made from special racks or piles. The supporting structures are lowered lower than the planned excavation is located. Piles hold boards or shields. They take the pressure of the soil.

This method should be used if the excavation is made no more than 5 meters. In case of greater depth, a cantilever-spacer mount should be used. In this case, spacers are installed in the upper fragments of the racks.

Which method is better to choose

The method of fixing the soil is selected according to the type of soil:

1. Silikatization strengthens loess-like and certain types of mantle loams, subsidence loesses.
2. Resinizing is suitable for sandy soil types.
3. Cementing is suitable for strengthening large voids. Also, this method of strengthening the foundations is used for fractured rocky, gravelly sandy and coarse-grained soil types.
4. Drilling fixation should be used for silts and clays in loamy soil of fluid consistency.
5. Thermal fixing is suitable for loess-like loams, filler loesses, non-settlement loams and clays.

Fixing the soil can be done in different ways. Each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages.

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