The Causes of Unstable Soil - Poor Compaction

Many types of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, depend on compacted soil in order to stay in place. Therefore, in order for these structures to last, a specific degree of compaction must be achieved. When soil does not adequately compact, the problem is known as poor compaction, and that can lead to more serious issues. Concrete repair contractors always need to be on the lookout for signs of poor compaction which include settling slabs, cracking foundations, and dips in roadways and railroads.

What causes poor soil compaction?

There are a variety of causes of poor soil compaction. However, much of it boils down to soil texture and soil properties. Some soils are more prone to compaction than others. Excess soil salt content, high clay fraction soils, low pH soils, and soils with high water content tend to compact less favorably. It should also be noted that decisions made by construction contractors and their teams can also influence soil compaction. For example, failure to select proper compaction equipment or compaction materials can contribute to poor compaction. Furthermore, some areas are more prone to poor compaction than others, such as portions of soil set against a foundation.

How can poor soil compaction be corrected?

Luckily, poor compaction can be corrected. The solution is to strengthen the soil until it is properly compacted. As mentioned in the previous post, voids can be filled, soil consolidated, and water migration halted with Alchatek soil stabilization products. Once the bearing capacity of the soil has been increased with this process, then the structure can be lifted if necessary.

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