Soil Compaction and Structural Fill

Structural Fill and Soil Compaction in Bozeman

A slab or footing is only as stable as the ground beneath it. Coullaudkoulinsky places engineered structural fill in controlled six to eight inch lifts and compacts each lift to a specified density, commonly 95 percent of maximum dry density by Proctor test. That is what turns a soft or over-dug hole in the Gallatin Valley into a load-bearing pad that will not settle under your building.

Why Tested Compaction Matters

Loose fill hides its weakness. It looks finished the day the machine leaves, then compresses under load and pulls a foundation corner down with it. Compacting in lifts and confirming density with a nuclear gauge removes the air voids that cause settlement. On Bozeman sites, where frost reaches close to four feet, a compacted and well-drained subgrade is also your best defense against heave. We test to standard or modified Proctor, whichever your engineer specifies.

Our Process

We start by moisture-conditioning the fill so it compacts instead of pumping, then place it in thin lifts and roll each one with a sheepsfoot or smooth-drum roller. We take field density readings as we go and only call a lift finished once it hits spec. When the plans or Gallatin County require it, we document every result and hand you a compaction report the inspector can sign off on.

Call (406) 305-7634 for tested structural fill and compaction on your Bozeman site.