Ground improvement involves treating or modifying the condition of soil or unstable ground by altering the nature of the soil to improve shear strength, stiffness and permeability. For example, poor strength soils can be modified with cement to produce a harder material with improved mechanical properties – lower plasticity, increased bearing ratio and shearing strength, and decreased volume change.
Ground improvement can be used to reduce the excavation costs of unsuitable material and reduce the costs for imported replacement fill materials or the costs of using deep foundations.
Altair GES expertise in earthworks and ground improvement projects include the determination of optimum soil compaction parameters; specification of fill materials; site monitoring; quality control and performance; design of cut and fill slopes; and settlement analysis.
Working in conjunction with specialist ground improvement contractors, Altair GES can advise on the design, carry out site supervision and verify the ground treatment methodologies. Over the last 38 years we have been involved with a number of ground improvement projects using a range of stabilisation techniques including:
lime and cement stabilisation
deep soil mixing
vibro-replacement
dynamic compaction
wick drains and surcharging
Our involvement and expertise can represent a significant element in achieving optimum earthwork and foundation solutions, minimum off-site removal of poor soils and significant cost savings. We can supervise and monitor the construction phase to ensure the engineered fill will perform its structural function in the long term.