Stark Asphalt | Soil Stabilizing

SOIL STABILIZING

Soil stabilization is the process of intermixing existing soils and/or aggregate base material with alternative products to increase the overall stability. Common stabilizing products included Portland cement, lime and kiln dust until the mid-1970s. However, contractors experienced a multitude of problems including the ongoing concern of inconsistent mixing resulting in numerous subgrade problems.

Today the most commonly used product for soil stabilizing is class "C" fly ash. Class "C" fly ash is a byproduct of the coal burning process and is a self-cementing product, due to the presence of calcium oxide (CaO) when combined with water (moisture) from the soil. In order to create a uniform water to cement (Class "C" fly ash) ratio based on the amount of moisture in the soil, Stark Asphalt, in 2002, installed a direct-inject spray bar system. This system allows our construction crews to monitor the amount of moisture that is injecting into the drum of our pulverizer creating a uniform stabilization process.

Soil stabilization has opened the door of opportunity for many sites that were considered "un-paveable" due to excessive moisture in the past. Stark Asphalt proudly employs a diverse group of Project Managers possessing a wealth of knowledge regarding local soil conditions, specifications and standards.