The Importance of Understanding Your Project’s Soil Proctor & Maximum Dry Density

No matter what type of construction project you’re working on, it won’t be successful without a strong foundation. One of the most important aspects of understanding your site stabilization needs is to identify the existing soil’s proctor. Which is the measurement to identify your soil type’s optimum moisture content to help achieve its maximum dry density.

Dry density refers to the mass of soil without any water content. This is a critical component when it comes to understanding the shear strength, permeability, and compressibility of the ground. Site developers, construction and engineering firms need to pay close attention to this, as it can have a serious impact on the cost of your soil stabilization project. The importance of optimum moisture content and dry density for the strength of a substrate cannot be ignored, or else projects may not succeed.

Smart Testing to Determine Your Project’s Soil Maximum Dry Density

Proper soil moisture measurement and testing is a critical component of managing your projects stabilization costs. You should always have a soil engineer perform a proctor soil compaction test of your jobsite’s existing soil prior to soliciting bids. This process includes collecting samples of the existing soils onsite and performing a standard proctor or modified proctor test in a laboratory. The results will yield a value that represents the maximum density of the soil at its optimum moisture. This value should be shared with your soil stabilization subcontractors so they can use it to calculate the spread rate of the material best suited to dry and or strengthen your existing soils. This way, you will better ensure you’ll receive quotes that provide the same treatment rates for your project that will be successful with the existing soil type.

In addition to proctor tests, there are other methods commonly used to determine dry density for soil. These include the sand cone test, which starts with excavating a portion of the soil. The excavated material is collected and saved for analysis. A cone filled with sand is placed over the cavity and the sand fills the space. The amount of sand remaining in the cone is used to determine precisely how much sand fills the excavated space. The weight of the soil sample is divided by the volume of sand filling the cavity to find the soil’s set weight. From there, the dry density is calculated by dividing the weight of the soil sample by the percentage of water it contains.

Another commonly employed technique is the nuclear gauge testing process. This involves inserting a retractable rod into a hole dug into the soil. Radiation is emitted through the rod, and the denser the soil is the more of the radiation will be redirected back to the gauge. The amount of radiation that bounces back is measured and the results are used to determine the density and moisture content of the ground.

Cost Benefits of Determining Your Maximum Soil Dry Density

Ensuring you understand your site’s existing soil’s maximum dry density before you begin to compare estimates can save you thousands of dollars in change orders. If contractor A is bidding using a maximum dry density of X, and contractor B is bidding using a maximum dry density of Y. You can have pricing that appears to be consistent by description, but is not apples to apples, and possibly not even representative of your site’s existing soil conditions.

For instance, if both contractors quote 5% Cement Stabilization at a depth of 12” but use different maximum dry densities to calculate their spread rate you could have the following scenario:

Contractor A uses a Dry Density of 110 p/cf:

• 5% – 12” Cement Stabilization = $5.00 per SY
  • (@ a Dry Density of 110 p/cf this treatment rate would need 50 lb/ SY)

Contractor B uses a Dry Density of 100 p/cf:

• 5% – 12” Cement Stabilization = $4.50 per SY
  • (@ a Dry Density of 100 p/cf this treatment rate would need 45 lb/ SY)

You may choose to go with contractor B and save the $.50 per SY, then use your remaining discretionary budget elsewhere only to find out when they get onsite that your project soil’s maximum dry density is 110 p/cf and 45 lb/ SY will not be enough material to generate the results you need to properly build your project.

Common Misconceptions About Soil Dry Density

• The higher the dry density is, the stronger the soil will be. Although it’s tempting to think of a higher dry density as automatically better for stability, that’s not always the case. The strength of soil depends on its optimum soil moisture content, which can vary based on the type of soil and other conditions.
• All soils are the same. Different soils have different densities, which means they will offer unique performance profiles under heavy use. For example, soils that contain a lot of sand will be denser than soils that have a lot of clay.

You Can Trust Rock Solid to Put You on Solid Ground

As a leader in soil stabilization, Rock Solid can be your ideal partner for ensuring proper maximum dry densities are used to evaluate your soil stabilization & modification quotes. All estimates and project consultations are free. Let us help you protect your next project from unnecessary change orders. We offer a wide range of services to give your jobsite the stability it needs. To learn more about everything we have to offer, reach out and speak with us today.

A solid foundation is critical for any type of construction. Unfortunately, not all jobsites are created equal. Whether due to natural soil compositions and/ or conditions or a preponderance of ground water that have seeped in over the years, some areas are not fully capable of supporting structures over the long term. Although they may look stable initially, over time the varying strength and durability of soils can lead to cracks and potholes developing in roadways as they erode and settle underneath them. This is why chemical soil stabilization is a crucial process for many mass grading and asphalt paving contractors.

The main purpose of the chemical soil stabilization process is to create a more stable, uniform base for whatever is being built on top of it. However, it also has the additional benefit of helping protect the environment. But what is chemical stabilization, and how is it performed? Read on to learn more about this technique.

The Process of Chemical Soil Stabilization

What is soil stabilization using chemical methods, and how does it affect conditions on a jobsite? Generally speaking, the process involves mixing specially developed chemical reagents into the soil and mixing them together. Chemical stabilization may be used in conjunction with mechanical stabilization methods or on its own, depending on the requirements. Many of the most commonly used additives for this technique include:

• Quicklime: Also known as lime or calcium oxide, quicklime works especially well in soils with high clay content. When added to soil, it raises the pH level of the earth so much that certain components become soluble. This allows for the formation of more cementitious bonds inside the chemical composition of the earth that are permanent.
• Fly ash: This is a byproduct of burning coal for electrical generation and is commonly used for soil stabilization. It works by enhancing the ground’s physical properties, adding shear and compressive strength as well as reducing soil plasticity and shrink-swell potential. Another benefit to using fly ash is how it helps prevent the absorption of moisture that causes instability.
• Cement: Mixing cement and water into the soil is another popular soil stabilization technique. This serves to bond the soil together and create a stronger subgrade than if the soil was left untreated.
• Polymers: Synthetic polymers including polyacrylamide and polyvinyl acetate may be used to enhance the load-bearing capabilities and durability of soils. These form bonds to soil particles that help them bind together and increase shear strength.
• Calcium chloride: When added to soil, calcium chloride absorbs excess moisture from the earth, after which it dissolves into a deliquescent solution that resists evaporation. This solution also has a high degree of surface tension, which lubricates the aggregate and helps each particle interlock with the others around it.

The purpose of adding these reagents is to change the chemical composition of the soil. This includes removing any excess moisture that may be contained within it and improving its structural integrity. What is left behind is something that will be a better subgrade for any construction that will be performed on it, providing a better platform for pavement or a building pad.

The Step-By-Step Chemical Stabilization Process

The process typically begins with selecting the soil stabilization method that will be most effective and appropriate based on the composition of the soil. For example, clay soils and sites that have a lot of wet soil are served especially well by adding quicklime. Highly plastic soils and jobsites in areas that experience a lot of heavy rainfall may be ideal for fly ash. In areas that feature a heavy concentration of sandy or silty soils, contractors may want to consider the use of cement to hold them together.

After selecting the chemical soil stabilization techniques that are the best fit for the site, the next step is to add the agent to the ground. These are added to the soil with the use of large-scale rotary mixing tools that cover large areas. Once these are added successfully, the resulting mixture is compacted with a vibratory compactor. The use of heavy equipment is critical for ensuring the consistency of the finished results as well as the ability to perform the work at scale with the highest degree of efficiency.

Applications of Chemical Soil Stabilization Methods

The lasting effects of the various types of chemical stabilization of soil make it an ideal method of site preparation for a wide range of construction projects. These techniques ensure strong, stable foundations for virtually any type of hard surface pavement or structural fill zone. Examples of projects that can benefit from this approach include:

• Parking lots
• Roads and sidewalks
• Building pads
• Airport runways
• Tracks and athletic fields

Benefits of Chemical Soil Stabilization

Projects that employ chemical soil stabilization receive numerous benefits through its application. First and foremost, the procedure results in greater structural integrity for the soil underneath the project. This reduces the risks of soil shifting or sinking after construction, which can lead to foundation failures and costly repairs to roadways. It also helps ensure that work can be completed faster and more efficiently, saving time and money for contractors.

Measuring Success: Quality Control and Testing

Strong quality control practices are important for making sure soil stabilization techniques are as effective as they need to be for the site. This is why contractors should perform regular checks and tests on the site to ensure the soil will be capable of providing the best overall support for the roadway or structure. Compaction tests, strength tests including California Bearing Ratio tests, and moisture checks are all important ways to validate that the soil stabilization methods employed are meeting the project requirements.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Depending on where the project is, there may be additional steps that must be taken to ensure the project meets all applicable regulations. For example, the use of certain chemical additives may not be advisable if there is the potential for groundwater contamination, or else added precautions for preventing runoff may be necessary. It is always advisable to check local laws and statutes for the project site to prevent any oversights or mistakes that could lead to rework or violations.

Turn to Rock Solid for Complete Expertise

When you want to take full advantage of everything chemical soil stabilization can do for your project, Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc., is your ideal partner. We have the experience necessary to deliver these capabilities and more to provide you with the perfect foundation for whatever work you’re performing. Follow the links to learn more about our soil stabilization and soil modification services, or reach out to speak with one of our representatives today.

Most road and highway construction projects that include FDR or Base Stabilization involve a huge amount of bulk materials, including cement, fly ash, LKD, quicklime and other materials. That means there’s a good chance your next project will require the use of dry bulk trucking. But what is dry bulk trucking, and what kind of specialized equipment and processes are utilized for it? Read on to learn more about this essential aspect of the supply chain for many road construction jobs.

Understanding the Basics

Because this deals with dry bulk cargos that are different from standard packaged goods, it requires some special trailers and loading/unloading procedures. For instance, the typical dry bulk trailer is segmented, meaning it features a series of cone-shaped compartments, creating a series of hoppers that each have their own individual valve at the bottom. These valves are connected to pipes that run along the underside of the trailer. At the top of each hopper is an opening typically referred to as a manhole.

Loading the trailer with most bulk materials is a relatively simple operation. Under most circumstances, the driver of the truck pulls up underneath a chute attached to the silo containing the material, and it flows down the chute through the manhole into the hopper until it is filled. In most cases, the bulk material is moved from storage to the chute by means of an auger or conveyor belt, depending on the type of material. Where this process can become trickier is if the materials are being transferred from a railcar, in which case they need to be moved with the use of pressurized air or top loaded with a transloader.

In terms of unloading, the valves at the bottom of each hopper are opened, allowing the material to flow into the pipe on the underside of the trailer. From there, the materials can either be pumped into a spreader with pressurized air or into a tank for on-site storage. Pumping out the trailer must be done with care, as too much pressure will result in the lines becoming clogged.

Perhaps the most important step involved in dry bulk transport occurs after the trailer is completely emptied. This is when it is taken to a certified tank wash station to be cleaned. This is crucial because any materials left over from one load could contaminate the next one. At the tank wash, the insides of the hoppers are thoroughly cleaned with specialized water jets. If the next load is identical to the one before it, no cleaning would typically be required.

Safety Considerations for Dry Bulk Trucking

Due to the nature of this process, it’s critical that workers observe fundamental safety precautions for dry bulk trucking. This includes being careful to avoid overloading the trailer, as this can lead to instability on the road that increases the risk of accidents. All workers involved in unloading the material must be fully trained in bulk tanker safety, including the handling of hazardous materials. Loading and unloading should always be performed using the proper equipment, as using the wrong equipment can lead to unsafe and unpredictable conditions. Crews also should have an established response plan to be followed in the event of spillage, with regular drills conducted to ensure everyone understands what needs to be done.

Material Characteristics and Handling Challenges

The procedures and protocols used during dry bulk trucking may vary based on the characteristics of the materials. For example, certain dry bulk commodities may be extremely sensitive to moisture, absorbing it and clumping inside the trailer. Because this can create issues when unloading, sealed trailers and desiccated air may be needed to keep it dry.

Although fine materials may flow through hoppers with little trouble, larger aggregates and particulates may become packed together during shipment. In this scenario, the use of vibration may be needed to prevent materials from becoming stuck inside the hopper. The use of the proper equipment is important because materials such as sand can be too abrasive for hoses or liners that aren’t meant for them.

Cost Factors in Dry Bulk Trucking

How much dry bulk transportation costs will depend a great deal on various factors. These include the type of material being hauled, the distance traveled, the type of dry bulk tanks required, the price of fuel, the availability of drivers, and any load optimization needed. This is why it’s important to work closely with an experienced hauler who understands the specific requirements of dry bulk trucking and how to optimize services for the situation.

Advantages of Dry Bulk Trucking

The benefits of dry bulk trucking when provided by an experienced company such as Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc., are numerous. We bring the expertise and experience needed to handle your bulk materials correctly and with the highest levels of efficiency. Our services have helped numerous clients save money and complete their work on schedule.

We provide complete dry bulk trucking of cement, fly ash, quicklime and other materials. Choosing us means you can be sure that loads will be delivered promptly and as safely as possible. If you’d like to learn more about our full capabilities and how they can be of service to you, reach out to us today.

Ensuring roads and other paved surfaces remain in good condition is crucial for protecting public safety and providing essential infrastructure. However, the traditional methods used to replace deteriorated asphalt can be costly, time consuming, and wasteful. These issues are magnified when you consider how many miles of road and parking lots need to be restored on a regular basis due to simple wear and tear. Removing and replacing pavement and it’s underlying aggregate base entirely used to be the only way to remediate worn-out roads, but today there is another option that is far more expedient, affordable, and ecofriendly — full depth reclamation (FDR).

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS OF FDR

What is full depth reclamation? In simple terms, it involves reusing the existing asphalt road aggregate base material to create a stronger, more stable surface. There are four main steps to the process:

• Pulverizing the existing pavement — The asphalt is pulverized with a road reclaimer, converting it into a usable aggregate base that can be reused in-place to revitalize the road .
• Stabilizing the base — Additives are used to increase the strength and durability of the original materials that have been pulverized into a well blended aggregate base.
• Shaping the material — The reclaimed & now stabilized materials are shaped and compacted to create a smooth, stable surface for the restored roadway.
• Application of wearing course — Thin surface overlays like a micro-surface, chip seal, or thin HMA surface protects the restored pavement and gives it added stability.

There are three main techniques typically used for FDR projects, which vary based on the additives used to stabilize the base:

• Mechanical — Aggregate materials are mixed into the pulverized asphalt & aggregate base .
• Bituminous — This technique involves mixing liquid emulsions into the pulverized asphalt & aggregate base .
• Chemical — Lime, fly ash, or cement are utilized to strengthen and stabilize the existing pulverized asphalt & aggregate base materials.

THE BENEFITS OF FULL DEPTH RECLAMATION

The traditional remove-and-replace approach to road reconstruction was more or less the only one for a long time, but not necessarily because it offered many advantages. This process tended to be a drawn-out one, with projects requiring a week or longer to complete under most circumstances. It also called for hundreds — sometimes thousands — of truckloads of material to be hauled to and from the site, racking up significant fuel costs and contributing a lot of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Using FDR eliminates these issues, because the existing material is  pulverized in place,  remains on the ground, and is ready for stabilization immediately, there’s no need to transport large quantities of materials to and from the site. This also cuts down on the amount of time the project requires by an average of 55%  in most cases. Not only does the process result in lower emissions from trucks, but also recycling the existing material means fewer resources are consumed. This makes FDR a more environmentally sustainable process overall. The resulting pavement also has greater durability, able to hold its structural integrity for a longer period of time.

CONTACT ROCK SOLID TODAY

Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc., is the leader in providing full depth reclamation services for contractors, developers, and governmental entities across the country. We’ve completed countless successful projects, such as this one in Orland Park, Illinois. To learn more about everything we have to offer, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.

Those in the business of building roads and highways have a lot of heavy equipment at their disposal. Graders, compactors and excavators are some of the most imposing and impressive machines used for road construction and reclamation. However, as important as they are, one of the most versatile and essential tools used on the jobsite may also be one of the least assuming. It’s a simple chemical compound that comes in the form of tiny flakes, small pellets or as a liquid. Knowing how to apply calcium chloride for dust control and road stabilization is one of the most necessary factors for ensuring the success of a project.

Why Calcium Chloride Matters for Road Construction Projects

It’s no secret to anyone in the road construction business that their work involves a lot of dust and dirt. Machinery working on bare earth can end up kicking a lot of fine particulates into the air. This does more than create a mess, as excessive dust can lead to many long-term issues that impact projects. For example, there’s the potential health risks created by workers and those around the project breathing in contaminants in the air. Any dust that is carried by the wind and settles in other places can lead to environmental impacts such as polluted water sources, which can affect the project’s sustainability and even lead to violations of local environmental regulations. Contractors also should take care to prevent dust because of the harm it can do to their equipment. Fine dust particles can build up inside machinery and cause performance issues as well as breakdowns if not properly addressed.

On top of all these concerns, the erosion of soil through typical construction activities also can have an impact on the overall stability of the completed roadway. It’s for these reasons that many contractors choose to employ calcium chloride to help prevent dust and stabilize the ground underneath their work.

How Calcium Chloride Works

The application of calcium chloride for road stabilization and dust control is common because of its ability to stabilize aggregate. It accomplishes this thanks to three key properties. It is hygroscopic, which means it naturally absorbs moisture out of its surroundings. Once it does, it dissolves into the water to form a clear solution that is deliquescent, meaning it resists evaporation. This resulting solution has a high degree of surface tension, which helps it lubricate the underlying aggregate and improves each particle’s ability to interlock with those around it.

Thanks to its ability to resist evaporating, using calcium chloride for dust control and stabilization means the road base retains an optimal level of moisture. This offers a number of benefits for construction and reclamation projects, especially compared to traditional methods.

The Benefits of Calcium Chloride Road Treatment

Using calcium chloride for road dust control is highly effective because it won’t evaporate as quickly even under direct sunlight and in extreme heat. It serves to keep the road’s surface damp in almost any conditions, ensuring good visibility for drivers and helping to keep the road in optimal condition for as long as possible. Although pure water has been used traditionally for this purpose, the fact that it evaporates so quickly means it must be applied multiple times. This can become an expensive proposition in many environments.

In terms of road stabilization, any dust that is kicked up by traffic runs the risk of resettling wherever the wind takes it. Over time, this means there may be fewer fine particles helping to hold the larger aggregates in place. This can lead to potentially serious stability issues and premature deterioration of the pavement. Calcium chloride helps prevent this by holding the fine dust and other aggregate materials together.

Comparing Calcium Chloride to Other Dust Control Agents

Calcium chloride is far from the only chemical agent used for dust suppression and soil stabilization. Contractors have a range of options that offer their own unique pros and cons, including:

• Magnesium chloride: Like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride draws water out of soil to prevent dust. It also tends to be less expensive upfront, but the fact that it dries out faster means more applications may be necessary than with calcium chloride.
• Lignosulfonates: Made from trees, lignosulfonates are organic binders that can hold soils together. Although this means it presents many ecological benefits, it can become slick when wet and may require more applications to be as effective as calcium chloride.
• Synthetic polymers: Adding a layer of synthetic polymer creates a kind of crust that prevents dust from being lifted into the air. This performance tends to come at a much higher price than using calcium chloride, however.

Application Methods and Best Practices

Calcium chloride typically is deployed in road construction either in liquid solution form or as solid pellets or flakes. When sprayed directly onto the surface of the subgrade, it can serve to suppress dust as well as strengthen the soil. For applications that require additional stability, such as when soils are especially loose or wet, the solid forms of calcium chloride may need to be mixed into the earth during the grading process.

In most cases, it’s recommended that crews perform compaction after applying calcium chloride to ensure the proper density for the resulting subgrade. Grading the surface to facilitate drainage also is necessary, as excessive moisture will dilute the calcium chloride and impact its performance.

Performance Factors and Environmental Conditions

The efficacy of calcium chloride for dust suppression and soil stabilization can be influenced by several external factors, such as:

• Humidity: Excessively dry conditions can hurt the performance of calcium chloride solutions, and may require applications of water or rainfall to reactivate them.
• Temperature: Higher temperatures can accelerate the rate at which calcium chloride absorbs moisture.
• Traffic: The heavier the traffic on the road, the harder calcium chloride has to work to control dust.

When used for dust suppression, calcium chloride typically should be reapplied after prolonged periods of dry weather. Roads that experience heavy traffic also should reapply liquid calcium chloride on a more-frequent basis than quieter roads.

Safety and Handling Tips

In its solid form, calcium chloride must be stored in sealed containers in a cool, dry place to prevent it from clumping. When handling it, workers should be equipped with PPE including gloves, respirators, and safety goggles to prevent direct exposure to skin and eyes. This will prevent irritation. Workers who handle calcium chloride also should wash their hands thoroughly after each use.

Call Rock Solid for Complete Expertise

The use of calcium chloride to keep dust down and stabilize the road base is a great choice whenever you want a long-lasting, easy-to-apply solution. Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation is a leader in providing this and other related services to strengthen road construction through base stabilization and full-depth reclamation projects. We work closely with your crew no matter where you’re working to ensure the best overall results for you. To learn more about this and any other capabilities we can offer to you, reach out and get in touch with us today.

All the activity on a construction site can lead to soil erosion, which can have numerous negative environmental impacts. Nearby water sources can become contaminated, soils can lose their ability to support vegetation, and the habitats of local wildlife can be damaged. This can lead to severe issues for contractors from a regulatory standpoint, as many jurisdictions have strict sanctions for ecological damage caused by construction activity. Contractors who don’t recognize the potential harm of soil erosion may face heavy fines and reputational damage as a result.

As heavy equipment moves across the ground, it loosens enough earth that it can be carried away by wind and rain. Unfortunately, many builders make the mistake of not paying enough attention to the effect their work has. Read on to learn more about how to reduce the impact of construction on the soil and why it matters.

HOW TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION IN CONSTRUCTION 

There are a number of techniques construction companies can use to minimize the impact their work has on the soil at their jobsites. These include:

• Careful staging — It requires a bit of forethought, but contractors can limit the amount of erosion they cause by working only in the area required for the project. By restricting the movement of equipment, they avoid causing damage to surrounding areas.
• Soil stabilization — One of the most effective means of soil erosion prevention and sediment control in sustainable construction is the use of soil stabilization techniques. These include putting down mulch or blankets to hold it in place or planting more vegetation so the root systems will keep it from moving.
• Dewatering — Because the movement of water through sites is one of the most significant causes of soil erosion, removing as much groundwater or rainwater from the site can make a big difference.
• Slope protection — Installing geotextiles, turf blankets, or mats on slopes can help prevent them from collapsing and enabling loose soil to be blown or washed away into surrounding areas. Any sites that feature steep slopes should consider using these to keep everything in place.
• Permanent installations — Depending on the design of the project, erosion control already may be built into the work. Retaining walls, artificial turf, and drainage systems may be added. However, it should be noted that contractors also will likely need to employ temporary strategies to limit the impact of their activities elsewhere on the site or until those permanent solutions are put in place.
• Regular inspections — No matter what type of erosion mitigation strategy is employed, builders need to check up on the site after each rainfall to ensure their efforts are working. This allows them to make any needed adjustments to achieve the best results.

COMMON MISTAKES THAT LEAD TO SOIL EROSION ISSUES

Some of the most common mistakes contractors make that can cause erosion problems later include:

• Clearing too much vegetation — Clearing out all vegetation on the jobsite might make it look cleaner, but it also leaves the site extremely vulnerable to erosion. This is why it’s important to plan carefully and only remove whatever vegetation is necessary.
• Assuming all soils are alike — What works well for controlling erosion on one job may not be enough for another. Soil modification and site prep work must be planned with the specific conditions of the area in mind.
• Improper grading — Failing to grade the site properly can result in unwanted water flow patterns. This can accelerate erosion in certain spots.
• Waiting too long to start erosion control procedures: Even the most well-considered erosion control plan can fail if contractors wait too long to use them. This is why it’s important to make erosion prevention a key element of the planning from the very beginning of the project.

GIVE ROCK SOLID STABILIZATION & RECLAMATION A CALL

As a leading partner to the construction industry for soil stabilization and modification, Rock Solid knows what it takes to ensure construction sites don’t let erosion get away from them. Our expertise and experience with this highly specialized work means our clients can count on us to keep their jobsites free from the issues that plague so many others. If you want to learn more about our capabilities and how we can put them to work for you, reach out and get in touch with us today.

Cold weather isn’t a friend of most construction projects. That includes road-building jobs, among many others. Still, it’s not necessary to automatically put project plans in a deep freeze just because it’s gotten downright frosty outside. If soil stabilization is your primary concern because you think the ground is too cold to proceed, you should know that the right mix of materials and know-how make soil stabilization possible — with some limitations — even in frigid temperatures.

Depending on project scheduling and other completion factors, cold weather stabilization and soil modification work can take place on projects such as these examples, and many others:

• Parking lots that must be paved before seasonal asphalt plant closures
• Mass grading sites (allowing building pad construction to stay on schedule)
• Roads for your subdivision development with the tight deadlines
• Construction of a new athletic field at the local school or park district

Subgrade strength is critical for these projects. Sometimes, so is the ability to keep working in less-than-ideal conditions.

THE “HOW” BEHIND SUCCESSFUL COLD WEATHER SOIL STABILIZATION

As mentioned earlier, there are some limitations to attempting soil stabilization once the cold hits. If the ground is completely frozen, all bets are off. Heavy frost can cause damage to the tiller that mixes materials into the soil. More importantly for your project, when the ground is frozen, it’s not always possible to achieve a homogenized mix of soil and stabilizing material.

However, the onset of cold temperatures doesn’t necessarily mean the ground has frozen. Subgrade temperatures do not change as quickly as the air temperature. If temps fall from 60 degrees Fahrenheit on an Autumn Day to 25 degrees overnight, the ground is not going to freeze that quickly. Even if there’s been an extended cold snap, there’s hope. Enter quicklime, a material most often used for soil modification.

One of quicklime’s primary purposes is to strengthen soils that have a high plasticity rating. Fortunately, it also produces heat, and that means it can melt ice or burn off frost. If there is less than 3 inches of ground frost, soil stabilization thus may still be possible. An on-site call must be made by an experienced professional regarding what percentage of quicklime will be needed to burn the frost and warm the soil. Once the frost is burned off, a homogenized mixture of cement and/or other soil stabilizing materials can be achieved allowing the treated area to gain the strength needed for successful stabilization.

You can say that quicklime makes a material difference. Again, there are limitations. A subsequent cold snap can cause the upper few inches of the stabilization to freeze, loosen and become unraveled. So, due diligence is required in the form of watching the weather forecast for the period after the planned stabilization. The soil stabilization project should then be scheduled accordingly.

RELY ON ROCK SOLID FOR SOIL STABILIZATION

If cold weather has you pondering putting off a project due to soil stabilization concerns, reach out to us at Rock Solid to fill us in and take advantage of our expertise. We’ve been providing soil stabilization and other services for projects throughout the Midwest and from coast to coast since 2007. Applications for our soil stabilization services are virtually limitless.

Paving contractors likely have heard about cold in-place recycling (CIR). If so, you know that it’s being used in a large number of reclamation projects. What you may not know, however, is why.

The quick and easy answer is that this process offers a number of advantages over other methods of restoring asphalt surfaces. Read on to learn a bit more about this procedure and why it’s used so often.

What Is Cold In-Place Recycling?

Cold in-place recycling involves an array of equipment that functions like a rolling processing plant or train.

First, a milling machine grinds the top two-to-five inches of asphalt off of the pavement, combining the millings with an asphalt emulsion, to give it enhanced strength. Then the new mixture is then laid onto the exposed substrate with a high-density paver to be rolled & smoothed out by a roller. The final step often includes the application of a thin hot mix surface or slurry pavement as a protective surface wearing course.

What Are the Benefits of Cold In-Place Recycling?

When compared to traditional methods of rehabilitating damaged pavements, there are a lot of advantages to choosing cold in-place recycling. First and foremost, the results are a new, strong, improved roadway surface without cracking and rutting that utilizes the existing roadway by recycling it in place

Additionally, because it recycles a significant amount of the existing asphalt, the process helps reduce the number of materials required for the job. This means it is less expensive overall, and cuts the project schedule down considerably reducing the impact on local traffic. Plus, cold in-place recycling is more eco-friendly because it doesn’t require additional heat to be generated during the procedure; thus, it requires less energy consumption.

Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation is a leading provider of CIR capabilities for contractors across the country. To learn more about everything we have to offer and how we can help your next project, reach out and talk to us today.

A construction project is only as good as the ground upon which it stands. Without proper stabilization of the soil, buildings, roads, levees, parking lots and more are at risk of becoming structurally deficient over time. Properly stabilized soils also help reduce the long-term maintenance costs of the finished project. Contractors who pay attention to soil stabilization  techniques also ensure faster timelines and less material waste, which adds up to significant savings.

Contractors working on virtually any type of project need to be aware of the importance of soil stabilization before they begin. Otherwise, all their hard work could be for nothing.

What Is Soil Stabilization?

Simply put, stabilization is the process of preparing the earth underneath a project to make it stronger. This is especially important in areas where the subgrade may be excessively wet or soft.

Typical chemical soil stabilization procedures involve spreading a stabilizing agent — such as lime kiln dust (LKD0, cement, soil cement, or fly ash — and mixing it with the soil to reduce its moisture content and improve strength. From there, crews work to compact the earth and grade it is using heavy equipment. The result is a strong, consistent subgrade that provides greater stability and resistance to shrinking and swelling.

In addition to chemical stabilization, mechanical soil stabilization techniques also may be used, depending on the site conditions. These involve working the ground with specialized equipment to change its physical properties.

What Are the Advantages of Soil Stabilization?

Among the many benefits of soil stabilization is the fact that builders can be confident that their sites will be compacted properly, providing a reliable platform for building pads, parking lots, and roads. Stabilization improves the shear strength of the soil to give it higher load-bearing capacity, and can often reduce the thickness of your structural cross sections saving your project from over-spending on aggregate base or surface pavements

Removing excess moisture from the earth also helps control the shrink-swell cycle that can lead to buckling or sinking, depending on the conditions. With stabilization, you are more likely to have solid subgrade construction that can be counted on to last a long time.

Stabilizing soil also ensures projects have a much better chance of meeting environmental regulations that might be in play. It can be an essential strategy for reducing ecological disturbance, satisfying erosion control plans, and obtaining storm water permits.

Planning for soil stabilization as early in the project as possible is essential. For example, integrating stabilization with the grading process means a smoother and less cumbersome process than relying on ad-hoc solutions after the fact while other phases of construction should be underway.

Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation is proud to provide soil stabilization services and more for a wide range of projects. To learn more about our capabilities including full depth reclamation and how we can help with your next project, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.

What is the difference between Soil Stabilization and Soil Modification?

Both help improve the construction schedule. Soil stabilization makes your sub-grade more rain resistant; the stabilized soil will remain strong through rain events and can be worked on soon after they occur. Whereas soil modification is faster and more reliable than disking and drying on projects with tight deadlines.  On most projects, soil modification is used prior to top lift stabilization to expedite the mass grading process by quickly reducing moisture of fill soils so they can be compacted efficiently.