Ground improvement techniques modify and strengthen in-situ soils so that foundations and embankments can be built on otherwise unsuitable ground.
Objectives include increasing bearing capacity, reducing settlement, improving drainage and permeability, remediating contaminated soils, and stabilising slopes.
These methods minimise spoil generation and can be applied in restricted sites with low vibration and limited environmental impact.
| Technology | Ideal soil type | Max. depth | Vibrations | Resulting material | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutter Soil Mixing (CSM) | Nearly any soil type | 25–35 m typical | Very low | Continuous soil cement panels; minimal spoil | Slope stabilisation, retaining walls, liquefaction mitigation |
| Soil mixing | Soft clays, silts, sands and contaminated soils | Up to ~30 m (typical) | Very low | Soil cement columns/panels; some excess soilcrete | Foundation support, cut-off walls, remediation |
| Stone columns | Soft to moderately compressible soils (non-organic) | ~11–13.5 m | None or very low | Minimal spoil; compacted aggregate | Settlement reduction, embankments, industrial slabs |
