CASE STUDY
IN-SITU SOIL STABILITATION FOR A FIFA FOOTBALLTRAINING PITCH
CARDIFF, DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021
CLIENT: CHURNGOLD, KIER AND SOUTH WALES SPORTS GROUNDS
Industry: Civils
For civils industries, we offer a permanent and temporary Soil Stabilisation solution, for projects where large areas of ground material needs treatment, whithout having to remove material from site.
Application: In-situ
With our in-situ application, stabilisation is carried out in one continuous motion,for sub soil that needs to remain onsite to be re-used and treated, when there is no room to stockpile material.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This case study showcases the successful in-situapplication of SMR for soil stabilisation. This projectwas for a FIFA Football Training pitch in Cardiff. Byaddressing poor geotechnical properties and a highwater table, SMR achieved remarkable results while minimizing environmental impact and costs.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The challenge revolved around unfavourable geotechnical conditions and a high water table thatcould potentially impact the stability of the pitch.
Our initial soil analysis results showed a high moisture content of 50%+. Parts of the site were heavily waterlogged due to adverse weather conditions the area had faced in November 2020.
THE SMR SOLUTION
The client required 7,800m2 of spoil to be stabilised, for it to achieve a minimum of 5% CBR value, and for the levels to be within +20mm & -30mm tolerances.
The chosen approach involved modifying existing spoil using a 3% SMR binder mixture, stabilizing at 300mm depth with a 100mm Type 1 stone capping layer. Despite adverse weather conditions, the SMR method was successfully implemented.
We did this by carrying out a single pass of SMR Proprietary Binder to a depth of 300mm. The Binder was rotavated into the existing ground before compacted with a 13-ton single drumroller. The type 1 stone was then laid and compacted at a depth of 100mm.
RESULTS
Within 48 hours of the curing process, theground achieved a CBR reading of 6.79%,surpassing the 5% requirement. After 7 days,the CBR readings reached 15.86%,demonstrating our SMR solution’s efficiency.
BENEFITS
Material and Transportation Efficiency: Approximately 300 fewer lorry movements, leading toreduced diesel consumption.
Environmental Impact Reduction: Savings of around 1200 liters of diesel and a reduction of 2.51tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Waste Minimization: Elimination of 5,700 tons of landfill spoil, avoiding additional diesel usage.
Cost Savings: Significant reduction in expenses without compromising construction quality.
Carbon Footprint Reduction: Lowered environmental impact without affecting performance.
Client Satisfaction: Successful goal attainment resulted in highly satisfied clients.
CONCLUSION
SMR effectively addressed the challenge, achieving outstanding outcomes while offeringbenefits in terms of cost savings and environmental stewardship.
“I am writing to you today in my official capacity as Contract Project Manager and on behalf of my client Oxford City Council, to thank you and your team for your contribution tothe Seacourt Park and Ride extension.
I have worked on this project virtually full time through RIBA Stages 3-5 over the last 2 years and have had to manage a number of engineering challenges to date.
I firmly believe your Technical input in to developing a major engineering solution on a site with known poor geotechnical properties and flood to of been exemplar.
Solving problems for me is the essence of engineering and you met those challenges headon when others would of walked away. Your relentless confidence in your product (SMR)was what ultimately convinced me to try something new against traditional construction and I for one do not regret it. For this reason I would gladly choose to work with you againover many of your competitors.”
-WYG engineering Consultants working on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council
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