"The new technology – invented by a team from the University of Idaho’s Biology and Civil Engineering departments – was shown to double the strength of soils at depths greater than two meters below the surface. The technique, which uses readily available and easy-to-manufacture components to stimulate biologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation, has been shown to increase strength from 2.5 MPa (360psi) to 6 MPa (870psi). The method works in almost any soil and the materials can be delivered and mixed on site – substantially reducing freight costs compared to stabilizers that ship by the gallon or drum. For its part, the University of Idaho will gain access to TerraFusion’s six-continent-wide distribution network and team of professional construction sales executives. “This is an exciting and important partnership the university is embarking on, which will benefit TerraFusion, our faculty and researchers and the general public,” said Gene Merrell, University of Idaho associate vice president of research. “The technology and research developed here in Idaho has the potential to increase soil stabilization around the world and make the process easier, less expensive and safer. This is another reminder of why partnerships between commercial ventures and the university are important to invest in.” The discovery, besides possessing a great commercial potential, can also help save lives. As recent events such earthquakes in Haiti and China demonstrate, a structurally sound foundation is absolutely necessary for the long term soundness and safety of any building or community. Providing a developing country with an affordable and dependable method of stabilizing its infrastructure can mean the difference between limited damage and a humanitarian disaster. That is the ultimate goal of this technology. http://www.prlog.org/10759557-terra...-joint-and-commercialization-partnership.html Actually, the increase in shear strength was 3-fold. Our latest test have results that are much stronger in shear strength.
The more I read a layperson's view of this (that stuff is incredibly intelligent reading, bro) the more I understand the good that this will cause. Happy to know you, and great job on a job well done.
Great development I am in the Precast concrete industry and deal with foundation stabilization daily. I'm not a Geotech guy but design structures that go on top of that and sometimes down in of course. Piles,drilled shafts etc. This is a tangent sort of but we have been developing a mixture (in powder form) that goes into the concrete pour and it mimics the steel reinforcing and matches load capacities. It can be just as strong and minimizes weight per unit. Anyways excellent work!
In our latest experiment that I analyzed the data for today, we had an improvement in soil strength that was greater than 10-fold and the treatment period was only half as long as the results reported in the press release.
You realize that your first huge contract awaits you in the city of Seattle? They would LOVE this solution to the waterfront's unstable soil issue.
Brother Joe, I have talked to a geotechnical engineer who works for the city of Seattle. He is very interested in the technology but the biggest contract will likely come from China or from the UN via Haiti.
Joe, missed you when I was out in Seattle last week, left you messages, but sorry we didnt get together this go round. Outstanding work.....keep it up!
Aw, crap. I forgot about you being in town! My phone service has been shut off for a couple weeks, hope to get it back on soon but in the meantime I'm screwed.
