The objective of this research is to evaluate the concept of using plasma torches that can effectively be operated in situ in a cased borehole surrounded by a geo-material medium. The plasma torch would be lowered to the bottom of a small diameter, cased borehole. By raising and operating the torch at progressively higher levels the borehole casing is rapidly melted opposite the plasma flame, and a column of soil (and/or a mixture of soil & waste) is heated and converted into a stabilized vertical mass. Successive (or simultaneous) operations in adjacent boreholes, properly spaced, would likewise stabilize an entire region.
