How to stabilize the earth: all stages of the process

Stabilized earth is a technology that allows create flooring in a simple, fast and economical way. By mixing a natural and eco-friendly stabilizer with an earthy aggregate it is possible to obtain a material characterized by high permeability and mechanical resistance. Roads and driveways made of stabilized earth will thus require less care and maintenance, allowing the costs associated with its care to be reduced.

Characteristics of stabilized earth

The mixture of stabilizer, water and earthy aggregate gives the stabilized earth characteristics that make it unique in the panorama of materials for building country roads, cycle paths and garden paths:

• High mechanical strength. The stabilizer and water mixture allows you to create an extremely solid bond between the various parts of the earthy aggregate. The resulting compound is characterized by a high level of mechanical resistance: this causes the formation of potholes and other defects that could make the transit of people and vehicles difficult - and dangerous.
• Great permeability. The composition of the earthy aggregate guarantees a high degree of permeability, thus preventing puddles, mud or dangerous streams of water from forming on the surface of the flooring.
• Eco-sustainable and recyclable. The conglomerate made up of stabilizer and earthy aggregate does not release polluting substances into the environment and water, thus being completely eco-sustainable. The compound is also 100% recyclable, not being considered special waste. Furthermore, the possibility of using aggregates and local soils allows us to reduce CO2 emissions linked to the transport of materials, making the stabilized earth even less impactful.
• Economic. The costs and prices of stabilized earth are low, allowing various types of flooring to be created in any situation. Furthermore, the extreme resistance of the surface allows maintenance costs to be reduced, making this solution even more economical.

What is stabilized earth used for?

The applications of stabilized earth are many. Its characteristics and versatility make it suitable for various uses, for example:

• Pedestrian paths and cycle paths;
• Roads and driveways;
• White roads and dirt roads;
• Yards;
• Road foundations.

Stabilized earth, therefore, can be used within marine, wooded and forestry areas; of natural and archaeological parks; of protected areas subject to historical, landscape and environmental constraints (SCI, SPA, SAC areas); of agricultural companies (wine-growing, for example); wooded areas and motorway rest areas.

How to stabilize the earth with Terra Solida Italia products

The process for creating a stabilized earth surface or floor is less complex than you might imagine. One of the advantages of this solution, in fact, is that roads and driveways are immediately passable: the setting times of the stabilizers are in fact very short, allowing (to reopen the arteries to traffic in the shortest possible time) their use and walkability within a few days of installation.

Exactly, though, How is the earth stabilized? What steps must be taken and what deadlines must be respected? Much, obviously, depends on the products used as adjuvants, but the operating methods do not differ much.

• First of all, it will be necessary create the background, whose task is to "support" the weight of vehicles or people who will transit on solid earth paving. The thickness of this layer obviously depends on the expected traffic on the road and can vary from 25 to 40 centimetres. Furthermore, at this level water regulation works will have to be foreseen: the stabilized earth is characterized by a high level of permeability and the subgrade will be fundamental to ensure that the upper layers do not disintegrate;
• After creating the foundation of the road in solid earth, you will have to move on to the choice of composition of the earthy aggregate. As already mentioned, the mixture can be composed of various types of aggregates (including recycled materials from building demolitions), provided that the crushed stone contained in it has a maximum diameter of 18-25 millimeters and the percentage of clay is less than 5% of the total weight of the compound;
• We then move on to the choice of system component, i.e. the stabilizer that will help create the bonds between the various aggregates of the earthy aggregate, giving the covering the compactness and solidity that characterize stabilized earth;
• Once the water and adjuvant solution has been mixed with the earthy aggregate, we move on to the drafting of the material. First of all, the substrate must be wetted, so that it does not absorb too much humidity from the adjuvant and aggregate mixture; subsequently we will proceed with the laying and compaction (by hand or with a vibropaver) of the stabilized earth flooring. Finally, the material must be rolled so as to definitively compact it. In three days (or more), the pavement can be opened to vehicular traffic.

Do you want to create a stabilized earth flooring? Contact us for a personalized Terra Solida Italia® consultation by filling out our form.