Ground Improvement FAQ
Everything engineers, developers, contractors and architects ask us about ground improvement.
General information
Ground improvement covers a range of techniques that increase the bearing capacity, stability and overall performance of soil so it can support buildings, roads, ports, airports or mines. It is needed when native soils cannot safely carry the planned or existing foundation, and it limits the risk of settlement over time.
Different soil types can pose significant challenges to building foundations, which must be carefully managed to ensure structural stability. Here’s a summary of how various soils can negatively affect foundations:
Clay Soils:
- Settlement Issues: Clay soils, especially when soft to firm, are prone to settlement over time, which can lead to uneven foundations and structural damage.
- Time-Dependent Behavior: The settlement in clay can occur slowly, creating long-term stability issues for structures built on these soils.
Sandy Soils:
- Shifting and Liquefaction: Sandy soils can shift easily, especially when water drains through them. During seismic events, clean sandy soils are particularly susceptible to liquefaction, where the soil temporarily behaves like a liquid, causing structures to settle or even collapse.
Silty Soils:
- Moisture Retention and Dilatancy: Silty soils retain moisture, making them difficult to drain and prone to volume changes under stress. This can lead to unpredictable foundation behaviour, including settlement or heaving.
Peat and Organic Soils:
- High Compressibility and Decomposition: These soils are highly compressible and may continue to settle over time due to decomposition, leading to significant foundation problems. Their low strength and potential for off-gassing also pose additional risks.
Menard Canada specializes in ground improvement techniques tailored to the aforementioned challenging soil conditions, providing sound solutions like densification, reinforcement, and drainage systems to enhance soil stability and mitigate the risks associated with poor soil conditions.
Get in touch with us today to discover how we can make your next project better.
Yes, ground improvement can be applied to existing structures experiencing settlement or stability issues. Many ground improvement techniques can be used to stabilize the foundation without the need for extensive excavation or disruption to the structure.
Project considerations
You may need ground improvement if your site has poor soil conditions, such as loose, soft, or compressible soils. Signs that ground improvement is necessary include:
- High groundwater levels
- Loose, sandy soils prone to liquefaction
- Soft clay soils that could lead to excessive settlement
- Previous history of subsidence or settlement in the area
A detailed geotechnical investigation is recommended to properly assess the soil conditions and determine the need for ground improvement.
It is a customized solution for every project that optimizes performance and cost-effectiveness.
The choice of technique depends on factors such as soil type, project requirements, budget considerations, and site constraints. Our specialists can provide tailored recommendations for your project.
The duration of ground improvement varies depending on the technique used, the size of the area, and the depth of treatment required. It can range from a few days for smaller projects using ground improvement methods to several weeks for more complex techniques like deep soil mixing. Proper planning and site evaluation can help estimate an accurate timeline for your project.
Ground improvement often cuts project expenditures by avoiding costly dig and replace methods and cutting project timelines. Additionally, ground improvement leads to long-term savings by preventing costly repairs, reducing foundation sizes, and allowing for more economical construction techniques. By investing in ground improvement, you are ensuring the stability and durability of your structures, saving money on future maintenance and repair work.
Menard Canada offers the following Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) processes:
- Equipment and Tracking Systems: All site equipment is monitored with quality control systems, including Menard’s Omnibox™, a digital device that tracks real-time data, ensures reliability and shares the relevant information among different stakeholders.
- On-Site Monitoring: Our site team continuously monitors progress, utilizing control systems and tracking software to maintain high standards.
- Local Design Team Oversight: The local design team is actively involved, providing real-time updates, making adjustments to the design if needed, and ensuring compliance with all site requirements.
- Comprehensive Testing: We conduct multiple tests, including materials, stabilization load tests and post-compaction testing, to ensure quality and reliability before, during, and after the site work.
- Transparent Reporting: We provide testing results and detailed reports to our clients, ensuring transparency and maintaining clear communication throughout the project.
Safety and environment
Yes, ground improvement can significantly reduce the structural risk associated with earthquakes. Techniques such as soil densification, reinforcement, and drainage can enhance the soil’s strength, reduce liquefaction potential, and improve overall stability. These improvements help mitigate seismic activity’s damaging effects on structures, minimizing settlement and the risk of foundation failure during an earthquake.
Ground improvement is considered environmentally friendly for several reasons:
- Minimal to no Excavation: Many ground improvement techniques, such as Vibro Stone Columns and Dynamic Compaction, require little to no excavation, reducing the disturbance to the environment.
- Reduced Material Use: Techniques often utilize locally available materials, like stone or grout, minimizing the need for transportation and reducing the carbon footprint.
- Lower Waste Production: Ground improvement methods generally produce minimal waste, as they often involve in-situ treatment of soil rather than removing and replacing it.
- Energy Efficiency: Certain techniques, like Soil Mixing or Menard Vacuum™, require less energy compared to traditional deep foundation methods, contributing to a lower environmental impact.
- Long-Term Stability: Improved soil reduces the need for future maintenance or repairs, which can further decrease environmental disruption over the lifecycle of a project.
- Enhanced Water Management: Methods like Vertical Drains and Slurry Walls help manage groundwater effectively, preventing contamination and promoting sustainable water use.
Ground improvement techniques are designed to minimize impact on surrounding properties. However, it’s essential to consider potential effects like vibration or changes in groundwater flow. Proper planning and communication with neighbouring properties, along with the use of low-vibration methods, can help mitigate any undesirable impact.
Getting started
Reach out by either submitting a website form or calling us directly. We’ll connect you with one of our experts for an initial discussion. During this conversation, we’ll review the project details you provide, which helps us assess the best course of action.
Feel free to reach out to us with any information available about the soils and the structures planned for your site.Here are examples of useful details:
- Geotechnical Reports: Soil type, composition, strength, groundwater levels.
- Site Plans: Layouts, boundaries, existing structures of the project area.
- Structural Details: Building loads, foundation requirements, height.
- Project Specifications: Timeline, budget constraints, and any specific goals or challenges.
You can share this information at any time, and our team will review it to identify key focus areas for your project.
After receiving your information, we conduct an initial evaluation, reviewing site conditions, bearing capacity, compaction, and groundwater levels. Our team then determines the appropriate ground improvement techniques and conducts a cost-benefit analysis, assessing potential risks, savings, and overall value. Based on this, we’ll develop a tailored solution and work with our technical design and engineering experts to prepare for the final project design and implementation. You can contact us here to begin.
Careers
At Menard, we foster an innovative and collaborative environment where employees are empowered to make an impact. We value curiosity, creativity, ambition, and a commitment to excellence, making it an ideal place for professionals passionate about ground improvement solutions. Learn more here
Yes! We provide internships, co-op placements, and mentoring programs to help students and young professionals kickstart their careers in geotechnical engineering. Visit our Careers page
We recruit for a wide range of roles, including project engineers, site supervisors, design engineers, business development professionals, etc. Learn more about career at Menard Canada
Questions about a specific technique?
Each solution page answers the most common questions about CMC, vibro stone columns, dynamic compaction, wick drains and more.
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