Despite what you might think, Australia is a highly ‘soil-diverse’ continent.

Our wide brown land contains many different soil types, and across regions from east to west and top to bottom, the soil can range from clay and sand based to loamy and silty. It leads to challenges in soil stabilisation when blended with extreme weather events. 

In Australia, temperatures can rise to 50C in the summertime and sub-zero temperatures in winter, alongside a mixed bag of drought conditions, heavy rainfall and even powerful tropical cyclones. 

When combined with tight environmental controls and legislation designed to protect the environment, flora and fauna, it makes creating stable soil bases for industrial and infrastructure projects a true challenge.

But if the cost of shaky ground is the health and safety of people, the environment or the continued success of a large-scale project, the art of soil stabilisation is one that we must master. 

Are environmental regulations, health and safety concerns or potential profit loss a concern right now?

It’s Hard to Find Solid Ground

In practice, soil stabilisation is the way to improve the engineered properties of the ground to enhance its load-bearing capacity and durability over time.

Essential in the world of mining and resources, infrastructure and construction, Australia produces more than a few hurdles to overcome on the way to success, however. 

Here are some of the main soil stabilisation challenges at a glance:

  • Soil types: Australia has a wide range of soils that challenge stabilisation methods, and each unique type requires its own approach.
  • Climatic conditions: Australia’s harsh weather, including heavy rainfall, drought, and extreme temperatures, can also have an enormous impact on the effectiveness of soil stabilisation techniques.
  • Environmental considerations: Strict environmental regulations control what can and can’t be done during soil stabilisation projects. These regulations are often complex and add to project costs. 
  • Transport and logistics: Australia is a huge country, one where transporting stabilising materials to remote locations, like mine sites, can be demanding and expensive. 
  • Expenditure: Soil stabilisation is expensive, however you look at it, especially in remote areas with limited access to materials and equipment. 
  • Lack of knowledge and skills: Soil stabilisation is a field that requires specific knowledge, skills and products. As Australia faces right now, a significant hurdle for large projects is a need for more skilled personnel. 
  • Geographical regions: The wide-ranging topography of Australia is also a challenge. Some areas, like Western Australia, require more complex stabilisation techniques than others.

Tailor your Soil Stabilisation With GRT

Global Road Technology has invested significant time and money into developing world-leading soil stabilisation products. 

Able to be blended on location into existing road material or added to new materials via pugmill, GRT’s solutions are proven to cut costs by 4 to 10 times compared to standard, bound pavements like asphalt and concrete.

All roads and pavements are subject to wear and tear over time. 

So minimising the extent of dust, potholes, rutting and corrugation arising, and avoiding total pavement failure, is a big deal.

The savings flow through to your budget’s bottom line while also maximising safety and the flow of goods, services and people to remote projects and communities. 

Check out GRT’s product range on our soil stabilisation page. 

Summary

The art of soil stabilisation comes with its fair share of challenges in Australia’s harsh climactic environment.

Soil preparation for mining and infrastructure projects must be able to handle extremes in temperatures and weather events over a long period. 

GRT’s evolved soil stabilisation techniques are the next step in improving the process.

Tried and tested around the globe, GRT’s products cut costs on the front end and maximise pavement and roadway safety and lifespan far beyond traditional methods. 

For advanced chemical-based soil stabilisation that’s safe and effective, check out GRT’s range of products, like GRT7000 and GRT9000, here! 

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