What Is Soil Liquefaction? Mitigation By Deep Soil Mixing Method

By Author: William Hauselberg
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What is Soil Liquefaction?

When soil is stressed, it can liquefy, losing its stability and strength. The stress can be caused by extreme force such as an earthquake, or the introduction of too much water to the ground. The resulting soil liquefaction can occur, destabilizing the ground. Different types of soils react differently to stress, for example, soil that is mostly sand can liquefy faster than clay soils.

Liquefaction wreaks havoc on built structures. Foundations can crack and an uneven settling of the building can occur. Damage to the structure itself can occur, as well as complete destruction in severe liquefaction instances. Bridges are affected because the foundation around support posts becomes liquefied. Any sloping ground near water sources, dams and levees tend to liquefy more often, creating fissures and cracks in the ground and in structures. Deep soil mixing methods are used to improve shear strength to improve stability.

Soil Mitigation by Deep Soil Mixing Method

There are different soil treatment technologies available to remedy soil liquefaction. One of the more common treatments ...
... is the Deep Soil Mixing Method. Deep soil mixing was begun in Japan and has been developed over many years by engineers and geologists. The goal is to relieve pressure on the structures, reinforce the soil and prevent future liquefaction.

To achieve that goal, different components can be added to the soil such as binding agents. Binding agents include cement, grout and other thickeners. Augers can dig deep into the soil to add the binders, and from there they are mixed and left to set. There are several methods of soil liquefaction mitigation, including single axis mixing and the slurry trench method. In each instance, the auger bores into the ground and releases the binding mix directly into the ground. When the binding agent is in the ground, paddles mix the formula with the soil.

Other Uses for Deep Soil Mixing

Soil liquefaction mitigation can also be used to remediate soil contamination as well. Chemicals in soil can be solidified so that they do not leach into groundwater. Currently, the development of particular clays as solid spoils continues in order to reduce liquefaction impacts.

Geo Solutions is a contracting company that specializes in Ground Improvement and Groundwater Solutions such as slurry walls, soil mixing, grouting, and reactive barrier construction. More information about soil liquefaction and Soil liquefaction mitigation available in the site.