Priti Rao, Founding President of Bioenzym Entrepreneurs Academy of India (https://www.beacademy.in/) & S.K. Singh, ex-Scientist- DRDO and CEO of Gramin Samridhi Foundation (https://graminsamridhi.in/)
Soil stabilization is defined as a chemical, physical, biological, mechanical, or combined technique that maintains or improves the stability of weak soils to achieve engineering goals. In other words, Soil stability is the capacity of a land to limit the redistribution and loss of soil resources by wind and water. Soil Stabilization is the process of improving the engineering properties of the soil before construction. Stabilization is done to improve the strength of the soil and shrink/arrest the swelling potential, thus improving the load bearing capacity and the overall performance of the in-situ soils. There are three main categories of stabilization techniques: Mechanical stabilization; Physical stabilization; Chemical stabilization.
A solid foundation is critical for any type of construction. Unfortunately, not all jobsites are created equal. Whether due to natural soil compositions and/ or conditions or a preponderance of ground water that have seeped in over the years, some areas are not fully capable of supporting structures over the long term. Although they may look stable initially, over time the varying strength and durability of soils can lead to cracks and potholes developing in roadways.
Conventionally Physical and mechanical types of soil stabilization include five different types of techniques namely; compaction, pre-wetting, wetting-drying cycles, reinforcement and solid wastes. Mixing bitumen into the soil will make it more cohesive — meaning soil will stick together instead of moving around like dust. Additionally, bitumen soil stabilization reduces water absorption, meaning it can make the soil water-resistant or waterproof, depending on the ratios used.
In Soil stabilization the process generally involves mixing specially developed chemical reagents into the soil and mixing them together. Many of the most commonly used additives for this technique include quick lime, fly ash and cement. The purpose of adding these reagents is to change the chemical composition of the soil. This includes removing any excess moisture that may be contained within it and improving its structural integrity. What is left behind is something that will be a better subgrade for any construction that will be performed on it, providing a better platform for pavement or a building pad.
Projects that employ chemical soil stabilization receive numerous benefits through its application. First and foremost, the procedure results in greater structural integrity for the soil underneath the project. This reduces the risks of soil shifting or sinking after construction, which can lead to foundation failures and costly repairs to roadways. It also helps ensure that work can be completed faster and more efficiently, saving time and money for contractors.
Chemicals used in the soil stabilization process are not environment friendly and it can cause health related issues right from the preparation of these chemicals to their final applications. To avoid these hazardous effects, Bioenzyms has come as a natural choice for soil stabilization with same or better efficacy. Bioenzymes help glue soil particles together, making the soil more solid and less likely to break apart. They help pack the soil particles tightly together, which makes the ground firmer and better at carrying heavy loads like cars and trucks.
The way Bioenzymes interact with the soil makes it tougher, so it doesn’t shift or erode easily. This is especially useful in preventing landslides and keeping the ground stable. These enzymes promote the growth of helpful microbes in the soil, which break down organic material and improve the overall quality and stability of the soil. Bioenzymes are biodegradable and do not harm the environment, unlike some chemical soil stabilizers.
Gramin Samridhi Foundation along with Bioenzym Entrepreneurs Academy of India is working to solve the soil stabilization problems through Bioenzym as engineering intervention for some of the real-life applications.
