Soilworks products are the industry’s top standard due to our insistence on creating high performance soil stabilization and dust control products that stand up to rigorous testing – both in the lab and in the field. Our commitment to quality and performance has led to our involvement and testing in hundreds of real-world situations. The following library of reports, presentations, specifications, approvals and other similar documents provide you, our customer, the transparency and dependable assurance that is expected from Soilworks.
This U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) presentation outlines applied and demonstration-level research into advanced soil stabilization technologies for military airfield construction. The focus is on rapidly deployable materials with low logistical burden that support contingency operations, C-130 load requirements, and cold-weather performance. Key stabilization categories include polymer/cement blends, synthetic and wood-based fibers, emulsion polymers, and moisture-cure polyurethanes. Emulsion polymers were highlighted for their dust suppression and weatherproofing capabilities, particularly in surface treatments where durability and flexible curing are required under variable environmental conditions.
Soiltac, a copolymer emulsion manufactured by Soilworks, aligns with the ERDC’s evaluation criteria for rapid stabilization and dust control in expeditionary settings. It provides a durable, erosion-resistant crust on unpaved surfaces, helipads, and contingency airstrips without requiring complex mixing or hazardous handling. Durasoil, Soilworks’ synthetic organic fluid, offers a non-curing, waterless alternative for dust suppression, making it well-suited for tactical environments requiring immediate mobility with minimal environmental impact. For military engineers and airfield planners seeking materials validated under ERDC testing conditions, Soilworks offers high-performance solutions designed for rapid deployment, reduced FOD risk, and compatibility with force projection objectives.
Objective
To employ mats, soil stabilizers, fibers, geotextiles, etc… for rapidly constructing airfield facilities
Photo: Soil Improvement (with Heavy Equipment)
Photo: Aircraft Parking
Photo: Matting Systems
Photo: ERDC HVS Test Facility, C-130 Wheel, 30,000 Lbs on 6” of Stabilized Soil
Photo: Dust Control Application
APPROACH
Products
Photo: Dust Control Application
Photo: ERDC HVS Test Facility, c-130 Wheel, 30,000 Lbs on 6” of Stabilized Soil
Rapid Stabilization Work Unit Plan
Table: Rapid Stabilization Work Unit Plan
Pertinent Work Units
Accomplishments Thru FY04
Photo: Airfield Matting
Photo: Soil Stabilization
Photo: HUMVEE Sprayer
Ft. Bragg Demo – Mat testing for C-130 Loads
Test
Mat
6” Clay-Gravel Base (40-50 CBR)
Pressure Cell
Buckshot Clay 24” Subgrade (8-10 CBR)
Test
Mat
6” Base
Pressure Cell
Buckshot Clay 24” Subgrade (8-10 CBR)
Test
Mat
6” Base (3-5 CBR)
Pressure Cell
Buckshot Clay 12” Subgrade (8-10 CBR)
Photo: 6” Clay Gravel Base
Photo: Installing Pressure Cells at Top of Clay Subgrade
Photo: C-130 Load Cart on Durabase
Ft. Bragg Demonstration – Materials
Table: Fort Bragg Soil Strengths
Photo: Fibers
Photo: Polymer
C-130 Load Testing of Stabilized Surfaces
Photo: ERDC HVS Test Facility
Graph: Rut Depth with Number of C-130 Wheel Passes
Ft. Bragg Demo Candidates – Testing
Photo: Loaded C-130 Wheel on SM Soil
<Cracked at edge of wheel path, 5” rut>
Photo: C-130 Testing on Emulsion Polymer/Cement
<Cracked at edge of wheel path, 3” rut>
Photo: C-130 Testing on Fiber/Cement
<1/2” rut @ 750 passes>
Ft. Bragg Demo – C-130 Parking Aprons
• Sicily ALZ, Ft. Bragg, NC
Photo: Apron 1 – ACE Mat/Polymer/Cement
Photo: Apron 2 – Fiber/Cement
FY05 Activities
Photo: Test Facility
Graph: Stress vs. Strain
MATS
Photos: Various Mats
Soil Stabilization
Photos: Laboratory Testing of Fiber Types
Graphs: Stress vs. Strain
Moisture Cure Polyurethanes – MCPUR
Graph: Unconfined Compressive Stress vs. MCPUR, 1% Soil Moisture
Graph: Unconfined Compressive Stress vs. MCPUR, 5% Soil Moisture
Moisture Cure Polyurethanes – MCPUR
Graph: Toughness vs. MCPUR, 1% Soil Moisture
Graph: Toughness vs. MCPUR, 5% Soil Moisture
MCPUR Cure Time – UCS
Graph: Unconfined Compressive Stress vs. Cure Time (Days)
MCPUR Cure Time – TOUGHNESS
Graph: Toughness vs. Cure Time (Days)
So Why not MCPUR?
Photos: Application Equipment
Photo: Aircraft/Airfield
Effects of Cement and Fibers on Soil
Graph: Stress/Strain Response, Load Lbs. vs. In.
Effects of Fiber Type and Concentration
Graph: Unconfined Compressive Stress vs. Stabilizer Type
Graph: Toughness vs. Stabilizer Type
Soil Stabilization
FY06-07 Activities
