CASE STUDY

Soil Reuse & Stabilisation for Section 278 Compliance

F1 Construction successfully maximised the reuse of existing site soils by stabilising them to meet Local Highways Authority requirements for Section 278 works. This approach achieved a zero cut/fill balance, reducing environmental impact and material costs while ensuring full compliance with highway standards.

Project Details
TL;DR:

Envirobase Technologies enabled F1 Construction to reuse existing site soils through bespoke stabilisation, achieving full Section 278 compliance while minimising environmental impact.

  • Developed custom soil stabilisation blends tailored to site geotechnical conditions.

  • Ensured rigorous testing and quality control, meeting all Local Highways Authority standards.

  • Delivered a zero cut/fill balance, reducing costs and waste from imported materials.

Get in touch with Envirobase Technologies to explore sustainable soil reuse solutions for your infrastructure projects.

F1 Construction – Soil Reuse & Stabilisation for Section 278 Compliance

Permenant works – Highways

Client: F1 Construction

Sector: Infrastructure / Highway Works

Challenge:

Maximizing the reuse of existing site soils to achieve a zero cut/fill balance while meeting Local Highways Authority requirements for stabilised materials as a replacement for traditional capping layers in Section 278 works.

FI Construction faced a dual challenge on a major infrastructure project: reduce environmental impact by eliminating the need for imported fill and ensure full compliance with stringent highway specifications for sub-base construction. The goal was to stabilise in-situ soils to serve as a structural capping layer, avoiding both waste and additional material costs.

Solution:

Our team initiated a comprehensive soil assessment program to evaluate the suitability of existing materials for stabilisation. Through laboratory testing and field trials, we developed a series of bespoke powder blends tailored to the site’s geotechnical profile. Each blend was engineered to enhance strength, reduce moisture sensitivity, and meet the mechanical performance criteria set by the Local Highways Authority.

A detailed quality plan was implemented to govern the stabilisation process, including:

  • Material sampling and classification
  • Blend optimisation and performance testing
  • On-site verification and compliance monitoring

The stabilised soils were rigorously tested for parameters such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR), compaction, and durability under traffic loading.

Outcome:

The project achieved a zero cut/fill balance, significantly reducing environmental impact and material transport costs. The stabilised soil layers met all required specifications for use as capping under Section 278, and the build was fully compliant with local authority standards.

FI Construction praised the technical precision and sustainability of the solution, which delivered both economic and environmental benefits. The success of this approach demonstrates the value of bespoke soil stabilisation in modern highway construction.

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