Using Compressed Air in Soil Stabilization

Compressed air is everywhere. Portable diesel air compressors bring compressed air wherever it is needed: plantside, roadside, refineryside and many other jobsites.

This month’s feature application is using portable air compressors in soil stabilization.

Soil nailing is a construction technique that can be used as a remedial measure to treat unstable natural soil slopes. The technique involves the insertion of reinforcing elements into the slope. Solid bars are usually installed into pre-drilled holes and then grouted into place using a separate grout line, whereas hollow bars may be drilled and grouted simultaneously by using a sacrificial drill bit and by pumping grout down the hollow bar as drilling progresses.

Soil stabilization typically requires a portable air compressor delivering between 750-900 cfm. This provides enough pressure to drill nail and reinforce the wall with shotcrete.

Find your Sullair authorized distributor to learn more about this application and which compressor is right for you.