GROUND IMPROVEMENT
Deep Soil Mixing (DSM)
Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) is a ground improvement technique used to strengthen and stabilize weak or soft soils. The process involves mechanically mixing in situ soils with cement-based binders to create a composite material with improved engineering properties.
The process begins with a special mixing machine, equipped with rotating auger blades, that is lowered to the desired depth. The auger blades, which contain nozzles for injecting cement slurry, are rotated to mix the surrounding soil while injecting the cement-based binder mixture under pressure. This process helps improve the soil’s engineering characteristics and stability according to project standards and specifications.
The rotational movement applied by the mixing machine in accordance with standards and specifications ensures complete mixing of the soil and binder, creating a homogeneous mixture along the processed area. The addition of cement-based binders effectively enhances the soil’s durability, strength, and load-bearing capacity, transforming weak or soft soils into stable and resistant ground conditions.
In the deep soil mixing technique, factors such as the type and dosage of the binder, mixing depth, diameter, and the power of the mixing machine can be adapted to meet specific project requirements. This process is versatile and can be applied to various soil types such as clay, silt, and sand.
Once the deep soil mixing process is completed, the treated soil mass is left to cure and harden, forming a strong deep foundation suitable for supporting various types of structures and infrastructure. Compared to traditional soil improvement methods, deep soil mixing progresses quickly, generates minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment, and is cost-effective.
In summary, deep soil mixing is a highly effective technique offering a reliable solution for strengthening and stabilizing weak soils in complex construction projects.
Jet Grouting
Jet grouting is an innovative ground improvement technique used to strengthen and stabilize soils in various construction and geotechnical applications. The process involves injecting a cement-based grout mixture under high pressure into the ground, forming a soil-cement composite column.
The jet grout manufacturing process typically begins with a drilling machine that includes a single, double, or triple flow jet grout shaft, supported by a high-pressure injection pump. The drill shaft is lowered to the desired depth, and the grout mixture is injected through one or more nozzles located at the drill bit.
As the cement grout is injected, high-pressure jets break up the surrounding soil particles, mixing them with the grout to create a homogeneous soil-cement matrix. The grout mixture typically consists of cement, water, and sometimes additives to enhance its properties.
As the drilling machine is slowly rotated and pulled out of the ground, the grout continues to be injected, forming a column of soil-cement material that has gained in-situ strength.
Jet grouting offers several advantages, including the ability to improve the ground in place without excavation, penetrate deep into various soil types and conditions, and create customized ground improvement solutions tailored to project needs.
Once the jet grouting process is completed, the soil- cement columns increase the stability, load-bearing capacity, and resistance to liquefaction, settlement, and displacement, making them suitable for supporting heavy structures, reducing slope instability, and other geotechnical applications.
In summary, jet grouting is a versatile and effective technique that provides construction engineers with a reliable solution for stabilizing and strengthening soils in complex geotechnical conditions.
Stone Column
Stone columns, created using dynamic impact techniques such as vibration and vertical pounding mounted on multipurpose pile-driving machines, are a preferred ground improvement method in recent years for controlling settlement problems in soft clays and reducing liquefaction risks in loose sands.
This method is used to compact loose granular soils against liquefaction risks and control excessive settlement in soft clay soils.
Vibro Compaction
The vibrocompaction technique, used with vibroflotation, is particularly applied in water- saturated and loose sandy hydraulic fills. A water jet pushes the loose material, and the vibration of the vibroflot stabilizes the hole created.
This allows granular materials with diameters of 25–75 mm to settle to the bottom of the hole, forming a stone column element compacted together with the surrounding soil.
Dynamic Compaction
Dynamic compaction is a soil improvement process used to compact and strengthen loose and soft soils. It involves dropping weights at predetermined intervals in several phases to generate dynamic stress and vibration on the ground surface, resulting in improved soil properties.
