Remediation: Soil Stabilisation

Soil Stabilisation

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VHE has an in-house capability in lime cement and advanced stabilisation techniques to reduce the moisture content of cohesive soil thereby improving its bearing capacity, or to reduce the soil’s permeability and prevent the leaching of contaminants.

Cement, when added to contaminated soil, forms less soluble and more stable hydration products with the contaminants. Cement mixed into soil reacts with water, forming a physical bond which immobilises contaminants. Solidification lowers the permeability of treated material, inhibiting water movement and preventing leaching.

With the removal of Landfill Tax Exemptions (LFTE) completely by March 2012 the real cost of disposing of any active contaminated soils will rise to over £70 per tonne, placing an even more significant emphasis on retaining soils on site for re-use.

VHE has undertaken soil stabilisation on a large number of projects. Applications include:

• Moisture modification of wet materials
• Processing unsuitable material into engineering fills
• Replacing capping layers and sub base by modifying in-situ materials
• Treatment of gas works contaminated soils using modified binders

Case Studies

.  Stella South Power Station
.  River Street Car Park, Rochdale
.  Manchester Airport Runway 2
.  Aston Clinton Bypass