MECHANCIAL STABILIZATION

The oldest types of soil stabilization are mechanical in nature.  Mechanical solutions involve
physically changing the property of the soil somehow, to affect its gradation, solidity, and other
characteristics. In mechanical stabilization, the grading of a soil is changed by mixing it with
other types of soils of different grades. By doing so, a compacted soil mass can be achieved.
Ultimately, dense, and well graded material can be achieved by mixing and compacting two or
more soils of different grades. Factors affecting the mechanical stability of mixed soil may
include:
 The mechanical strength and purity of the constituent materials 
 The percentage of materials and its gradation in the mix 
 The degree of soil binding taking place 
 The mixing, rolling, and compaction procedures adopted in the field 
 The environmental and climatic conditions

COMPACTION SOIL STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE

Compaction of soils is one of the methods of soil stabilization. Through compaction, the stiffness
and strength properties of the soil are improved, and the permeability reduced. The grading of
the fill materials is characterized by the grain size distribution curve. It uses mechanical means
for expulsion of air voids within the soil mass resulting in soil that can bear load subsequently
without further immediate compression. Dynamic compaction is one of the major types of soil
stabilization; in this procedure, a heavyweight is dropped repeatedly onto the ground at regular
intervals to pound out deformities and ensure a uniformly packed surface.

CHEMICAL SOIL STABILIZATION TECHNIQUE

Chemical solutions are another of the major types of soil stabilization.  All these techniques rely
on adding additional material to the soil that will chemically and physically interact with it and
change its properties. For example, cement stabilization is most effective on low cohesion soils,
owing to difficulty in good distribution of the anhydrous stabilizer amongst cohesive clays and
because larger granular particles can be surrounded and coated by the cement paste. On the
contrary, in cohesive soils, many particles are smaller than anhydrous cement grains and hence are
more difficult to coat.  The chemical stabilization of soil is a relatively broad term that is used
when chemical reagents such as quicklime, Calciment Lime Kiln Dust (LKD), cement, or other
industrial co-products and biproducts are used to increase the strength of subgrade soil.
POLYMER SOIL STABILIZATION PROCESS

Polymer soil stabilization refers to the addition of polymers to improve the physical properties of
soils, most often for geotechnical engineering, construction, or agricultural projects. Even at very
small concentrations within soils, various polymers have been shown to increase water
retention and reduce erosion, increase soil shear strength, and support soil structure. They are of
low cost and easy to prepare. Synthetic polymers such as vinyl’s and acrylamides coat soil grains
reducing permeability and enhancing the dry strength of the fine material to hold coarser
aggregate together. Polymers can be mixed with soil in the form of a liquid to fill the pores and
harden the soil structure. The prerequisites for polymer stabilization include:
 The polymer must be adhesive to soil particles in the presence of water
 Internal cohesion of the polymer is key
 Workability at high humidity and low ambient temperatures 
 Miscibility with water to produce a low viscosity liquid

Types of Sandy Clayey soil

 Group A: sand, loamy sand, or sandy loam types of soils. It has low runoff potential
and high infiltration rates even when thoroughly wetted. They consist chiefly of deep,
well to excessively drained sands or gravels and have a high rate of water
transmission.
 Group B: silt loam or loam. It has a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly
wetted and consists chiefly of or moderately deep to deep, moderately well to well
drained soils with moderately fine to moderately coarse textures.
 Group C: sandy clay loam. They have low infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted
and consist chiefly of soils with a layer that impedes downward movement of water
and soils with moderately fine to fine structure.
 Group D: clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, or clay. This HSG has the
highest runoff potential. They have very low infiltration rates when thoroughly
wetted and consist chiefly of clay soils with a high swelling potential, soils with a
permanent high water table, soils with a claypan or clay layer at or near the surface
and shallow soils over nearly impervious material.