Undercutting vs. soil stabilization: what’s the difference?
If your company conducts construction projects for roads, energy systems, warehouses, or new construction buildings, you will need a reputable team. Such large-scale projects require the utmost expertise and planning to carry them out successfully. One of the first steps of any construction project is ensuring the soil is stable enough for building upon. Here, we come to the topic of undercutting vs. soil stabilization.
What Is Undercutting?
Undercutting in construction can apply to many construction elements, such as building frameworks or, in this case, subgrades. It is the basic principle of removing one element to make room for something else or replacing it with something better. Undercutting foundations in construction would mean that you excavate the topsoil and replace it with more suitable soil.
What Is Soil Stabilization?
Soil stabilization is the adjustment of the topsoil’s composition to make it suitable for construction. Professionals like Reliable Contracting work with the existing soil, mixing it with other minerals, elements, etc., to change its nature. The steps of soil stabilization are:
- Evaluation of the existing soil
- Addition of soil cement or lime
- Mixing the new and old elements to create a homogenous soil
- Addition of water to create the best moisture content
- Grading the land to facilitate healthy drainage
- Compaction of the soil to ready for construction foundations
Benefits of Soil Stabilization
Instead of removing acres of soil and replacing it with new soil, soil stabilization saves time and money by working with what is already there. For the right pieces of land, soil stabilization is a much more efficient method of getting your project rolling.
Soil stabilization achieves all the goals you have for creating a firm building foundation:
- Fine-tuning soil drainage
- Minimizing swelling and shrinking
- Making the soil easier to compact
- Controlling dust
- Increasing the soil’s strength to support buildings, roads, parking lots, etc.
Which Is Best for Your Construction Project?
In some cases, undercutting might be a more suitable option. On the other hand, soil stabilization might be your ticket to saving a lot of time and costs. It is best to talk with a professional about which is better for your construction site. Reliable Contracting has an extensive portfolio of large-scale construction projects and is happy to talk with you!
ABOUT RELIABLE CONTRACTING
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.