M&T – Ground Stabilisation for Structural Foundation Improvements
Permenant works – Highways
Client: M&T
Sector: Commercial Building Development
Challenge:
Enhancing the load-bearing capacity of soft alluvium soils to support traditional strip footings, avoiding the need for a more expensive piled foundation system.
M&T approached our team with a critical geotechnical challenge: the proposed development site was underlain by soft alluvium soils with insufficient strength and excessive settlement potential. The original design called for piled foundations, but the client sought a more cost-effective alternative—traditional strip footings—if the ground conditions could be suitably improved.
Solution:
We developed a fully warranted bespoke ground improvement strategy focused on creating a structural layer capable of supporting the building loads. This involved a tailored soil stabilisation process using a custom-designed powder blend formulated to enhance strength and reduce compressibility.
The stabilisation process was executed through controlled soil mixing techniques, ensuring uniform distribution of the powder and consistent treatment depth. A rigorous testing regime was implemented, including:
- Strength assessments to confirm bearing capacity
- Settlement analysis to ensure long-term stability
- Quality assurance protocols to verify compliance at every stage
The powder formulation was engineered to react with the site’s specific soil chemistry, producing a hardened matrix with significantly improved geotechnical properties.
Outcome:
The treated soil layer met all technical requirements, enabling the use of strip footings and eliminating the need for piling. Strength and settlement parameters were validated through post-treatment testing, and the construction process adhered to strict quality assurance standards.
M&T benefited from substantial cost savings and reduced construction time, while maintaining full compliance with structural and environmental regulations. The success of this project highlights the effectiveness of bespoke soil stabilisation in transforming marginal ground into buildable terrain.