Markstabilisering

Markstabilisering, or soil stabilization, is a set of techniques used to modify the properties of soil to improve its performance as a construction material. The goal is to increase bearing capacity, reduce settlement and swelling, improve stability against erosion, and control permeability for foundations, roads, railways, and other earthworks.

Common methods include mechanical stabilization through compaction and grading; chemical stabilization by adding binders such as Portland cement, lime, fly ash, or slag; and binder-treated layers that form cemented or lime-stabilized soil. Bituminous stabilization uses asphalt binders to bind soils; reinforcement with geosynthetics such as geogrids or geotextiles can improve load transfer and drainage.

Design relies on soil characterization (grain size, Atterberg limits) and laboratory tests (unconfined compressive strength, CBR) plus field checks like compaction and moisture-density tests. Standards from national authorities and international guidelines govern materials and quality control.

Applications include road subbases and bases, airport runways, rail foundations, embankments, and remediation of soft ground. Advantages include faster construction and reduced depth of foundations; drawbacks include cost, environmental concerns, and potential long-term performance variations.

In practice, selection depends on soil type, climate, traffic load, and sustainability goals.