How engineers use lightweight materials to prevent roads from sinking
When heavy infrastructure is built on soft soil, the ground can struggle to support the weight. This video explores the creative engineering strategy of using lightweight backfill to mitigate soil settlement.
Building embankments on unstable ground presents a significant challenge: the weight of the structure itself can cause the underlying soil to settle. To combat this, engineers have developed methods to reduce the overall load. One such approach involves using lightweight backfill materials to make the construction less heavy, effectively mitigating the pressure on soft soils.
Source: Why Some Roads Are Made of Styrofoam
