42 COMPACTION The process sfinproving the equite ensnesing propenties of sil ass.atthe ste known as stabilization, Stabilization is usually ofthe following four types: 0); Mechianical of physical stabilization, where the characteristics of a soil mass are inpproved by the application of mechanical eneray or by simply. mixing of different soils to improve grading. - Gi). Chemical where the soil propérties are improved with the addition of certain chemical agents such as cement, lime, resins etc. Alii) Thermal where the water Content of the soil mass is removed through the use to thermal energy, UAW) Electrical stabilization where electric energy is used'to improve soil properties such as electrical ésmosis process. Compaction Consolidation Density (unit weight) is increased by reduction of volume of air alone. Increase in water content may help Density is increased by reduction of volume of voids caused due to expulsion of water. It is essentially a compaction. drainage process. Compaction process may be | Consolidation, in general, is caused by accomplished by rolling, tamping, or vibration. static loading. It is short time, time independent process It is a long term time dependent process It is applicable for soil types including. both fine-grained and coarse-grained It is generally for fine-grained soils as coarse-grained soils should drain quickly under the application of load due'to their high permeability It improves shear strength, reduce settlement and improves weather resistance It is similar to compaction in this respect In compaction application of compactive effort is the must. Since consolidation is essentially a drainage process, it may be done by evaporation alone without application of load