Lime Stabilization

The long-term performance of any construction project depends on the soundness of the
underlying soils. Unstable soils can create significant problems for pavements or structures
With proper design and construction techniques, lime treatment chemically
transforms unstable soils into usable materials . Indeed, the structural strength of lime stabilized
soils can be factored into pavement designs. Quicklime and hydrated lime are both highly effective in drying wet clay and silt soils. Highway contractors have found that lime expedites construction in rainy weather, due to its drying action and the formation of a firm working table. Building contractors have been discovering the same thing. For most soil drying applications, approximately 3 to 7% lime (based on dry weight of soil) is required, depending on degree of wetness.