Abstract: A composition and method for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: a) preparing a dry mixture, comprising: the soil and/or sand, CaCl2 or CaO, and alumina, wherein 100 parts of the dry mixture comprises 1-99 parts soil and/or sand, 0-25 parts CaCl2, and 0-25 parts alumina; and b) adding aqueous Na2SiO3, wherein 100 parts v/v of the aqueous Na2SiO3 comprises 1-35 parts Na2SiO3, and 99 to 65 parts water; and repeating steps a and b until refusal occurs. Alternatively, a composition for consolidating and mechanically strengthening soil and/or sand, comprising: 100 parts of a dry mixture, comprising: 99-1 parts of the soil and/or sand; 0-25 parts alumina; 0-35 parts silicate; and 0-25 parts CaCl2. The silicate may be Na2Si2O3, Li2Si2O3, and K2Si2O3.