Efficacy of using hydro-insensitive reinforced resin for soil stabilization in sensitive fish habitats

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Settlement of concrete pavements and any slab-on-grade structure is often attributable to inadequate fill material such as frozen fill or improper base compaction. Other causes contributing to a weak base soils condition also include: reduction in water table level; leaking water pipes, sewers and drains; excavations adjacent to buildings; and vibrations caused by heavy road traffic or adjacent construction sites. Poly-Mor Canada Inc (PMCI) has been in the business of using a range of expanding polymer systems to address numerous challenges in the new and retrofit construction industry for many years. POLY-MOR uses a form of "chemical compaction grouting" where a special high density, hydro-insensitive expanding polymer resin is used to fill, densify and stabilize low density, compressible soils to depths of 30 feet and beyond. PMCI has recently developed a new reinforced resin system that is much stronger and long-lasting and can be very suited for soil stabilization in marine environment. However, the specific strength parameters of this new product when exposed to lateral pressure is not completely understood. Moreover, the effect of using this material on the marine life is not fully understood. The proposed project at University of Victoria will focus on three aspects of the new system developed by PCMI, which include: Logistics of placement of the PCMI system on unstable soil, Stability and strength of the PCMI system to lateral pressure, and Short-term leachate tests on the PCMI systems when exposed to chloride and sulphate environment. There are several thousand miles of usable land in Canada along the coast that cannot be fully utilized due to unstable soil and erosion. This project aims at developing an effective solution that can be used to protect the shores of Canada from further erosion, while using a reasonably simple and pragmatic technology. Moreover, the findings of this project will shed light on the efficacy of using this system in sensitive marine environments where leaching of chemicals from the product could be foreseen as an issue.