SMR Applications: In-Situ Stabilisation
Where: Lincoln, Compound Yard
Background
The general hardcore area of Simons Yard, Lindum, off Allenby Estate near Lincoln, is typical of many right across the construction and equipment sectors. It was being used for the storage of site cabins and other machinery but had become a hazard and an economic liability.
Problem
The ground within the yard had become particularly unstable, especially in the wet due to the sandy clay soil and represented a real hazard for the heavyweight forklift used to move the cabins; one unit having already tipped off the forks and as a result of the damage sustained had been written off.
Solution
SMR (UK) quoted to remediate the entire 3500 sq mt yard using its Structural Material for Reinstatement (SMR) material. The process involved grading and compacting the ground, finally topping it off with graded road plainings.
The ground was initially roughly cleared, with a number of significantly large concrete lumps being removed. A supply of SMR soil stabiliser, delivered to site in one-tonne bags was then evenly spread over the area before being grinded to a depth of 200mm to evenly mix the material in a single pass. (Depths of 300mm can be achieved using this equipment / process). The area was then levelled and then compacted using a heavy mechanical roller to initiate the remediation process.
The SMR solution upon compaction achieves a 80% hardening within the first two hours and 100% after 24-hours. A new wear course was then spread across the site and 24-hours after this was compacted the yard was safe and ready to resume full operation.
Benefits
The benefits of using the SMR soil stabilisation methodology include:
Everything remained on-site: The process meant that no new sub-base material had to be transported onto site but more importantly none of the existing material had to be sent to landfill, which would have been costly in terms of transportation and disposal fees. This minimised the environmental impact of the project and kept its carbon impact to an absolute minimum.
Speed of delivery: Whilst three days were originally envisaged, the whole process was in fact completed in just two days, minimising the disruption to operations within the yard.
Reduced Costs: Re-using the excavated material on-site eliminated the need for sourcing primary aggregates and sub-base – the only brought in element being the new wearing surface. The project was costed at £5.95 per sq metre and represented a saving of £80,000+ (based on a c35 200mm equivalent).