Mass stabilation still new & unknown method globally

Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd
PRESS RELEASE Oct. 9, 2008

Mass stabilisation techniques were eventually invented in Finland in 1990´s and can still be considered as fairly new technique world-wide. A global supplier of working methods and equipment for earth-moving and environmental industries, Allu Finland Oy, has introduced the first commercial application of the mass stabilisation system. It consists of three parts; the pressure feeder that pumps binder into the ground, the power mix, a unit mounted onto the excavator, that mixes the binder into the soil and the measuring device that measures, controls and reports the stabilisation process.

Stabilisation is used to harden soft soil layers. In addition, stabilisation reduces land subsidence. This effect is achieved by mixing the right amount of binder with the soil. The binder is generally lime, cement or a mixture of these. The most natural applications of mass stabilisation are the embankments of roads, streets and railways as well as different yard and storage areas, where the thickness of the stabilised soil layers is a few metres. Mass stabilisation can help transform worthless soil into valuable building land, or make it suitable for other types of use.

Stabilisation system is a Finnish invention that provides a fast, cost effective and environmental-friendly work method for hardening and dynamic strengthening of soft soils as well as for improving the soil's deformation properties. Stabilisation system is also well suited for processing contaminated soil masses. As a process, these mass stabilisation projects require smooth cooperation between the clients, contractors, authorities, designers, geologists and binder suppliers.

There is a huge market and demand for mass stabilisation world-wide. The method has been introduced e.g in New Orleans where the flood disaster of 2005 occurred. To prevent a similar disaster from happening again, the levee that protects New Orleans has been reinforced using column stabilisation. Feeding of the needed binding agent was handled by a Pressure Feeder supplied by Allu Finland Oy. The company has previously been involved in the building of an emergency evacuation road in Florida, south of Key West. A mass stabilisation method was used to stabilise the soft, swampy subsoil enough to withstand the weight of the road and the traffic on the road.

An environmentally friendly example of the innumerable uses of stabilisation is found in Valencia, Spain. Stabilisation equipment was used in the harbour to stabilise more than 300,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil that was dredged from the seabed and utilised in the expansion of the harbour area.

Mass stabilisation method presented to over 250 clients, R&D experts and industry leaders in Lahti

Mass stabilisation method is presented during the Lahti Conference from the geotechnical, project designing, equipment and financing point of views. At the final conference day, two excursions are organised. The Lahti excursion takes the participants to visit Allu factory and the work sites where the mass stabilisation process and equipment for strengthening the soft soils are presented in practice. Also a visit to Vuosaari harbour will be included where the dredged contaminated sludge has been stabilised as a basement for container storage area. The Turku excursion introduces a stabilisation method and machinery for treating the contaminated dredge sediments. The excursion takes the participants to construction site where they are able to see the stabilisation machinery in action.

Mass Stabilisation Conference 2008 was organised at Sibelius Hall in Lahti on Oct. 9-10, 2008 jointly by:

• Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd | Cleantech Centre of Expertise Programme | www.lahtisbp.fi/en | Annukka Havas | +358 50 5321 263
• ALLU Finland Oy | www.allu.net | Pekka Kiukkonen | +358 3 882 1457
• Ramboll Finland Oy | www.ramboll.fi | Pentti Lahtinen | +358 20 755 6746
• Biomaa Oy | www.biomaa.fi | Ville Niutanen | +358 40 511 1893
• Nordkalk Oyj Abp | www.nordkalk.fi | Kari Kuusipuro | +358 20 455 7482
• Finnsementti Oy | www.finnsementti.fi | Janne Liimatainen | +358 20 120 6347
• Terramare Oy | www.terramare.fi | Tapio Leinonen | +358 9 613 621