Are Stabilization & Modification the Same?

Let’s take the easy approach and dissect the words.  As defined at Merriam-webster.com, Stabilization means to make stable, steadfast, or firm and Modification is the making of a limited change in something.  Stabilization & modification are similar, but not the same, especially when it comes to soil and sub-grades.

Remember the definition?  It’s the making of a limited change in something.  The something we want to change is soil.  When we modify soil we most often change it by drying it.  Very often, excavators need to utilize fill from their jobsite that is too wet to compact.  We use the same process and many of the same products that we use in stabilization, but the most popular to modify soil are lime kiln dust and quicklime.  The main goal for modification is to dry the soil to a moisture level that allows compaction to be completed properly.  Modification can be performed in a single lift, to help pass a proof roll, or in multiple lifts to build a site’s building pad or parking lot.

Improved Construction Schedule – Make your sub-grade rain resistant; the stabilized soil will remain strong through rain events and can be worked on soon after they occur.

Better Value – Reduce the thickness of aggregate, asphalt, or concrete needed to meet structural design requirements, and reduce your cost.

Improved Construction Schedule – Modification is faster and more reliable than disking and drying on projects with tight deadlines.

Better Value – Cheaper, faster, stronger, and better for the environment than export of unsuitable soil, and import of quality fill to build your site.

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