Slope stability

Groundworks Overview

Leca® LWA is used extensively as a lightweight aggregate for civil engineering and structural applications.

Leca® LWA is a lightweight material with open voids even when compacted.

This characteristic provides high drainage capacity and together with a very low density will greatly assist in reducing the risk of bearing capacity failure and increase the stability of the side slopes.

Efficient drainage of the structural layers of the road build up can prevent loss of load bearing properties caused by water and ensure a good load bearing capacity throughout the road life.

Slope Stability

Using free draining Leca® LWA as a structural material within the road build up will intercept the percolating water and water rising by capillary action from the sub-formations and direct the rising water away from the upper construction layers to improve the load bearing capacity. Carriageways in cuts that extend below the natural level of the groundwater, frost damage and loss of load bearing capacity can also be reduced by forming drain trenches filled with Leca® LWA at both sides of the road, along which the water is led away. Used within the carriageway drainage, Leca® LWA will help filter and increase microbiological breakdown of pollutant run off from fields and highways.

Maintaining levels within any foul or surface water drainage system can be difficult when the drain runs across a soft soil site. Leca® LWA can be used as a light weight pipe surround to reduce the pressure to the underlying soils and minimize the likelihood of irregular settlement.

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Further Geotechnical Areas

Leca® LWA is used extensively as a lightweight aggregate for civil engineering and structural applications. Through promotion and specification, our client base is continually finding further solutions and interesting uses for this special lightweight aggregate.