TERRABIND

ADVANCED
SOIL
STABILISER
www.terranovatechnologies.com

TERRABIND - PRODUCT DETAILS

Terrabind is an advanced lignin emulsion that enhances a range of engineering properties in clay soils.
Increase in compressive strength, compaction and reduced/ eliminated shrink-swell properties in clay
soils mean that developers will never have to replace soil or worry about subgrade failure/ soil settlement/
foundation instability/ undulations etc, whether it be for foundations for roads or embankments or
building floor foundations.
Terrabind gives the scope to develop an innovative range of design mixes, using in-situ soil, with further
potential advantages such as reduced road pavement thickness, reduced concrete utilisation, improved
logistical efficiency, lower lifecycle costs and minimised human error all cost effectively and without
compromise on durability and structure life.
Terra Nova Technologies is the first company in India to develop an organic soil stabilisation technology
in India. Terrabind does not contravene ground water ecology nor does it inhibit the growth of flora and
fauna on treated soil. Terrabind technology is a globally recognised method of soil stabilisation.

Benefit to soil formations

Reduces movement between soil particles.

Reduces voids and creates greater cohesion between soil particles.
Reduces moisture retention and permeability.
Reduces layer deflection/ undulations due to superior cohesion and load bearing capability.
Catalyses the binding properties of lime, cement and fly ash.
Does not contravene ground water quality and is environmentally safe.

Science behind Terrabind

The Terrabind formulation broadly focuses on the following actions in soil molecules;
1. Alters the ionic charge in soil molecules the reason for water attraction.
2. Break down capillary action in soil molecules the reason for water retention and swell.
3. Rearrange clay minerals thus increase particle attraction/ density thus achieve greater compaction and
compressive strength.
Terrabind solution mixed with soil produces elevated concentrations of hydrogen ions that penetrate the
clay lattice layers and dissolves mineral compounds in soil pores. This expels ionised water and the
recrystallization process results in an improved cementation effect leading to greater particle density,
compaction, compressive strength and impermeability of moisture.
The reaction is driven partly by the affinity of the exchanged Na and K ion for the ring structured anion in
the solution. Reaction between the ringed anions and the aluminum ions in the clay lattice to form
aluminum clay thus further improve strength. This also inhibits soil particles to attract, retain or swell in
the presence of moisture.
Terrabind comprises of organic compounds that are harmless to the environment. The formulation
comprises of organic chemicals that never break down, do not damage the environment or pose a risk to
ground water quality.
www.terranovatechnologies.com

TERRABIND - CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES

LAYER PREPARATION

Layer Preparation

Layer treatment

FULL DEPTH TREATMENT

Layer Compaction

Curing

Resurfacing treatment

SOIL RESURFACING

Re-Compaction

Final curing

Ease of use of Terrabind

Terrabind is diluted in water and sprayed from a water truck then homogenously mixed with soil using a
grader/ cultivator/ disc harrow/ rotovator after which it is left to aerate for 30 minutes then compacted
using a combination of vibratory and non-vibratory compaction.

www.terranovatechnologies.com

Materials
1 litre of Terrabind is mixed in 300 litres.

Equipment
Rotovator with working depth of 25+ centimetres and width of 1.5 metres.
Grader/ cultivator with a working depth of 30 centimeters and width of 1.5 metres.
Vibratory compactor with vibratory effect of up to 25 MT.
Tractor with water sprayer of 1.5 meter width/ coverage.
Water sprayer with agitator (for thin mist spray)
LAYER PREPARATION

Ensure soil layer to be treated is in dry state and at the same level as the terrain around it. This is
important as the soil layer must be confined around the edges.

Ensure soil below the soil layer is also in dry state. If the soil below the treated surface is wet and
expansive then it will not allow effective curing and will sink during compaction causing
structural deformities at the time of construction itself. If soil layer below is wet, then excavate
the soil till dry soil depth, aerate the excavated soil preferably till MDD point then place the soil
back where it was excavated from, pulverise, rotovate (dry form) and compact the soil layer
except for the top 27-28 cms as that will be treated with the Terrabind Soil Stabiliser.

Pulverise the soil layer up to a depth of 27-28 cms using rotovator and grader such that soil
particles are loosened and further aerated.

www.terranovatechnologies.com

FULL DEPTH TREATMENT

Add the required quantity of Terrabind to the required quantity of water and mix the solution.
Sprinkle 80% of entire quantity of the solution over the soil layer while continuously running the
rotovator or the cultivator behind the water truck.
Let the solution soak into the soil for 15 minutes.
Run 1 pass with the rotovator. If using a cultivator/ grader then run 4 passes.
Run the grader excavating and placing back the entire depth of the treated soil for 4 rounds. This
process allows further even mixing of the soil and breaks down soil clods further allowing the
Terrabind solution to have greater penetration.
Let soil aerate for 15 to 30 minutes.

Layer Compaction and Curing

Using a grader, move and align the entire depth of treated soil.
If available, then run 1-2 passes with a padfoot/ sheepsfoot roller.
Make 2 passes with the compactor, without vibration.
Make 8 passes with the compactor, with vibration to give an effect of 25+ MT.Allow soil layer to
cure for 24 hrs post compaction. No vehicular traffic must ply this road during the curing period.

www.terranovatechnologies.com

SOIL RESURFACING
This is important on unpaved road surfaces to improve ride quality, durability and resistance to water
permeability.

Using the grader + cultivator + rotovator, scrape the top 3-5 cm of the treated layer till the soil
particles are fully loosened.
Spray the remaining Terrabind solution across the layer.
Run 2 passes with the rotovator followed by grader to mix the soil and re-align the layer.
Aerate the soil for 10-15 minutes.
Run 2-3 passes with the compactor without the vibrator.
After 2-3 days, spray a thin mist of water over the layer.
For testing purpose, the layer must cure for 7-10 days before testing for compaction, CBR, FSI
and Compressive Strength.

POST-RESURFACING
This is black cotton soil with a Plasticity Index of 45. Picture taken 30 mins after treatment.

Additional points in treating heavy clay soils/ montmorilonite soils

Ensure road is slightly raised, arched and with culverts on the sides to ensure minimal to zero possibility
for rain/ storm water to gain volume and velocity that will result in surface erosion.

www.terranovatechnologies.com