Unstable soil describes earth material that may shift , move or shrink because of its composition, environmental or human caused conditions. Unstable soil may not remain in place without extra treatment, support or shoring. Unstable soil can threaten the integrity of structures in many ways.

Soil Compaction Issues

Poor soil compaction is a well known cause of unstable soil and often results in structural damages and sinking structures. Depending on soil composition and density, Polyurethane injection grouting and polyjacking may provide solutions to these problems.

Soil Erosion

Erosion is caused by environmental processes and exposures such as wind, water, temperature changes and human activity. Soil erosion destabilizes soil and may result in undesirable events such as landslides, sinkholes and damaged structures.

Freeze/Thaw Cycles

Freezing and thawing can change the physical structure of soil and lead to increased erosion. The expansion of frozen water trapped in the substrate opens fissures in the soil and rocks to the extend of breaking up even solid structures. Freeze and thaw events create expansion and contraction cycles in the soil and minerals which lead to a continued break down and potential loss of integrity.

Organic Decomposition

Soils containing a high concentration of organic materials are subject to decomposing through chemical processes and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, archaea and protists. Decomposing organic substrates cause the soil volume to shrink and possibly become unstable.

Solutions

Polyjacking and Injection Packers System may help mitigate these causes of unstable soil. Soil stability can be restored to soil with adequate polyurethane resin and foam products and structures can be raised.