The Problem

Unstable soil can be defined as soil that will not stay in place on its own, and therefore requires extra support. It should be noted that unstable soil can threaten the stability, security, and safety of infrastructure and can damage, degrade, and even destroy a number of structures, such as buildings, bridges, and roads.

The Causes

There are a variety of factors that can cause unstable soil including erosion, poor compaction, freeze/thaw cycles and decomposition. For more on the causes of unstable soil, see this multi-part blog series:

The Causes of Unstable Soil – A Brief Overview
The Causes of Unstable Soil – Erosion
The Causes of Unstable Soil – Poor Compaction
The Causes of Unstable Soil – Freezing and Thawing
The Causes of Unstable Soil – Decomposition

The Solution

Soil can be stabilized with high-strength polyurethane foam. Once the bearing capacity of the soil has been increased with this process, then the structure can be lifted if necessary. Contact GCS today for a free estimate!