Engineering Solution: Cementious Soil

There have been several problems to address on one project in particular. Thankfully, the rains were kept away just long enough to fix this erosion problem. This is one of the recent engineering solutions we designed and implemented.

There were good intentions 10yrs ago in planting bamboo in front of the drainage culvert- the previous owners were trying to prevent the river from eroding the land. However, the bamboo soon grew to be a 40+ foot tall water blockade for mountain runoff with an ensuing whirlpool.


Burned some of the bamboo and cut through the roots and bank. Here is our team fighting the rising river.


We made a cementious soil mix to strengthen the underlying clay, mitigating the shrink/swell potential and creating a strong base.


The cementious soil was an excellent alternative and cost savings, as opposed to using concrete and gravel. Apparently they use it as a base for concrete on modern airport runways!

The engineer!



20 Parts Soil


1 Part Cement


Dry Mixing


1 Part Water


Wet Mixing & Laying


Compacting


In the middle of the project, there was a major downpour. Looks like the cementious soil base held though!


Building a Bamboo Retaining Wall


This guy does not work for CalTrans; he was working too!


Using Local Methods with Bamboo to Stabilize the Soil


Filling with Gravel


13meter (40ft) Culvert Extension to River


The crew was so impressed with this technique, they said they would try this as a base for roads in their villages!


Project Complete!