Geotechnical engineers understand that settlement is a naturally-occurring process that can negatively impact the work we complete on the earth’s surface. The vertical movement of the ground over time is a result of stresses within the earth, and in the cases of settlement and subsidence can result in major damage to pavement systems and construction projects. Soil settlement can happen in an instant, or it can slowly take place over years. Left unchecked, settlement or subsidence can lead to structural damage and can negatively impact buried utility lines and expensive infrastructure assets.
That’s why so much engineering goes into the evaluation of soil and rock mechanics before major construction projects, and why environmental issues such as the location of flood plains and water tables factor into major construction design plans.
However, even when the initial engineering has been completed to the highest standards, the earth moves, water flows, and geology ultimately wins.
For this reason, reliable soil stabilization is critically important in the modern world. With subsurface and surface assets constantly under strain from increasing loads above and continual movement below, the need for reliable stabilization techniques has never been more pressing.
Historical Methods
In the past, stabilizing weak soil strata involved the use of products such as bitumen and Portland cement. Over time, materials such as fly ash, tar, cement kiln dust, tree resins and ionic stabilizers have also been used in the ongoing effort to find a cost- and environment-friendly solution that provides adequate stabilization to weak or compromised soils. These efforts have often resulted in the use of on-site materials such as sub-soils, sand, mining waste material, and construction waste material.
However, over the past 30 years, an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of these methods, and their increased cost, has led to the development of new materials and techniques to accomplish the same ends.
UDI – The Modern, Front Line Application for Soil Stabilization
Beginning in 1989, with the introduction of URETEK Deep Injection® (UDI), a superior method of soil stabilization has emerged to the delight of geotechnical engineers intent on finding a better approach to mitigating the consequences of weak soils below the surface.
UDI involves the injection of structural polymer into base and subgrade soils to increase their load bearing capacity. This is achieved by injecting the polymer through small holes drilled directly through the pavement structure to depths determined by site-specific analysis. URETEK’s proprietary high-density polyurethane foam (HDPF) polymer material flows easily into voids and weak zones within the soil mass below. Then, through a controlled chemical reaction, the expanding polymer compacts surrounding soils, increasing their load bearing capacity. The composite material quickly cures into a strong, dimensionally stable, environmentally inert, non-toxic, and water-resistant geo-material that provides years of reliable service.
Trusted Vendor for Pavement System Repair and Maintenance
For over 30 years, professionals have turned to URETEK for rapid, lasting solutions that align with tight budgets and keep our nation’s roadways smooth and stable.
URETEK’s long history of successful UDI application has established the company as a trusted UDI contractor that can instantly mobilize to job sites across the country. When we arrive, our crews get right to work on a site-specific repair or maintenance solution that quickly mitigates weak soil issues and extends the reliable working life of roads, bridges, airport runways, and other paved surfaces. Best of all, our zero-excavation solutions mean the work is completed in days, not weeks or months. When the job involves stabilizing base and subbase soils and restoring critical pavement systems to their optimal functional state, nobody does it better, or faster, than URETEK.
Contact URETEK today to learn more about our speedy soil stabilization solutions that keep budgets in line while assuring many more years of reliable service from highways, bridges, and runways.
Also, see our case studies to learn more about how our UDI application has successfully addressed weak soil strata over the years.
