DYNAMIC COMPACTION

Dynamic compaction
Definition:
method involves the systematic dropping of
heavy weights, 100 to 400kN, from a height of 5
to 30m, in a pattern designed to remedy poor
soil conditions at the proposed building site.

Dynamic Compaction
- pounding the ground by a heavy weight
Suitable for granular soils, land fills
and karst terrain with sink holes.

Pounder (Tamper)

solution cavities in
limestone

Crater created by the impact

(to be backfilled)

Dynamic Compaction

Pounder (Tamper)
Mass = 5-30 tonne
Drop = 10-30 m

dynamic
compaction at a
site in Bangladesh
where a 100 ton
crane is dropping
a 16 ton weight
from 30 m.

Dr. RAVI KANT MITTAL

Dynamic Compaction

Dynamic Compaction

Why dynamic compaction is used?

To increase in-situ density.
Improve the bearing capacity and consolidation
characteristics of soils (or waste materials).
Improve in-situ permeability and/or reduce
liquefaction potential.

Stages of the process?

Stage1 : Prior to commencement of the works, a
granular blanket is placed over the treatment
area. The weight is dropped from heights of up
to 25m, with up to 5 no. passes and up to 10
no. drops per pass.
Stage2 : On the first pass the deepest layers are
compacted. Following completion of the pass
the site is then regarded.

Stage3 : Subsequent passes compact successively

shallower layers, following which the site is
regarded.
Stage4 : The final tamping pass is often continuous
to compact the soils at shallow depth.

Expected Improvement and Required Energy with Dynamic Compaction

Soil Description

Expected Improvement

Typical Energy required

(tons ft/cf)a
2-2.5

Gravel and Sand < 10%

silt, no clay

Excellent

Sand with 10-80% silt

and <20% clay, PI<8

Moderate if Dry; minimal 2.5-3.5

if Moist

Finer-Grained soil with

PI>8
Land Fill

Not applicable

----

Excellent

6-11

aEnergy

= (drop height*weight*number of drops)/soil volume to be compacted; 1

11
ton ft/ft3 = 94.1 kJ/m3

Dynamic Densification (heavy tamping) A heavy weight is

dropped in a grid pattern, for several passes

Most Suitable
Soil Type
Max effective
treatment depth
Special
materials
required
Special
equipment
required

Cohesionless soil, waste fills, partly

saturated soils, soils with fines
30 m, less at the surface, degree of
improvement usually decreases with depth
None

Tamper of up-to 200 tons and crane

12

Properties of
Good improvement and reasonable
treated material uniformity area wise
+ Rapid, simple, may be suitable for soils
with fines
Special
advantages and lack of uniformity with depth, not
limitations
possible near existing structures, may
granular backfill surface layer
Relative Cost
low
13

Dynamic compaction

Dr. RAVI KANT MITTAL

Dr. RAVI KANT MITTAL

To prepare the subgrade for a section of Interstate 65

in Alabama, dynamic deep compaction was selected to
improve cone penetration values, qc from values as
low as 25 kg/m2 to greater than 100 kg/m2. A
conventional crawler crane was used to drop a 20 ton
circular weight (diameter 3 m) from a height of 18.3
m. Estimate the depth of influence, assuming the
subsurface is granular and free-draining.

Dr. RAVI KANT MITTAL

VIBRO-COMPACTION/REPLACEMENT ,
STONE COLUMNS

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Several ground improvement techniques were

developed in the recent past to suite to widely
varying soil types and environmental conditions.
Vibro techniques are some such techniques
which were used successfully world over to
improve both cohesionless and cohesive soils
accounting for earthquake conditions also.
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 The first vibratory method for the densification of

deep, granular deposits was developed by the
Keller Group and introduced into Europe in
1936, known now as Vibro Compaction, and also
referred to as vibroflotation. Initially these
methods were developed keeping in view
Cohesionless soils only.
19

Subsequently, this classic technique paved the

way for the development of Vibro Replacement
(stone columns),effectively increasing the range
of treatable soils to include fill materials,
cohesive soils and mixed soils. More recently,
the introduction of bottom feed Vibro
Replacement has provided for enhanced soil
displacement and allowed for stone columns to
be constructed without the introduction of water.
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10

Components of Vibro
technologies
The vibrator:

The vibrator pentrates to depth by means of its

weight and vibrations, sometimes accompained
by air and/or water jetting. Horizontal vibrations
are generated at treatment depth with the use of
eccentric weights that are rotated by means of
electric motors rated up to 200 HP and eccentric
forces up to 38 tons.
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The motion of the vibrator is radial in the

horizontal plane, creating a dynamic force in the
direction in which soil is weakest. Since the
vibrator is at the treatment depth, this is the most
efficient use of the vibratory energy, resulting in
the greatest densification.

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11

23

Benefits of vibro technology

Increased bearing capacity
Increased shear resistance
Reduced settlement
Uniformity of site after treatment
Mitigation of liquefaction and lateral
spreading

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12

 Achievement of the specific degree of

improvement required by the project
Cost and time savings over conventional
systems
Can be applied close to existing structures
In situ treatment, thus avoiding excavation and
replacement
25

Types
Primary deep vibratory techniques are
Vibro Compaction
Vibro replacement

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Densification through vibration

Vibrating probe
Vibrations of probe cause grain structure to collapse
densifying soil; raised and lowered in grid pattern
Most Suitable Soil Type

Saturated or dry clean sand

Max effective treatment depth

20 m, ineffective in upper 3-4

m.

Special materials required

None

Special equipment required

Vibratory pile driver or vibroflot

equipment
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Properties of treated material

Can obtain up to Dr = 80%

Special advantages and

limitations

+ Rapid, simple, cheaper than

VR stone columns, compaction
piles less effective than
methods that employ
compaction as well as
vibration, difficult to penetrate
stiff over layers, may be
ineffective for layered systems

Relative Cost

Moderate
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14

Vibro Compaction
Compaction of granular soils by depth vibrators is
known as Vibro Compaction. The method is also
known as Vibroflotation. Natural deposits as well
as artificially reclaimed sands can be compacted to
a depth of up to 70 m. The intensity of compaction
can be varied to meet bearing capacity criteria.
Other improvement effects such as reduction of
both total and differential settlements are achieved.
The risk of liquefaction in a earthquake prone area
is also drastically reduced.
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Vibro float
with water jet

on

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15

The principle of sand compaction (Vibroflotation):

The compaction process consists of a
flotation of the soil particles as a result of
vibration, which then allows for a
rearrangement of the particles into a denser
state.

31

Effects of Compaction
The sand and gravel particles rearrange into a
denser state.
The ratio of horizontal to vertical effective
stress is increased significantly.
The permeability of the soil is reduced 2 to 10
fold, depending on many factors.
The friction angle typically increases by up to 8
degrees.
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16

Effects of Compaction cont.

Enforced settlements of the compacted
soil mass are in the range of 2 % to 15
%, typically 5 %
The stiffness modulus can be increased
2 to 4 fold.

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Vibro Compaction Process

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17

VIBRO-COMPACTION/REPLACEMENT , STONE/SAND
COLUMNS

Steel casing is driven in to the soil, gravel or sand is filled

from the top and tamped with a drop hammer as the steel
casing is successfully withdrawn, displacing the soil
Most Suitable
Soil Type

Cohesionless soil with less than 20%

fines

Max effective
30 m
treatment depth
Special
materials
required

Granular Backfill
35

Special equipment required

Vibrofolt equipment, steel

casing, hopper for backfill

Properties of treated material

Can obtain high relative density

Special advantages and

limitations

+ Rapid, useful for a wide range

of soil types
May require a large volume of
backfill, noisy

Relative Cost

Moderate

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37

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19

39

Soils in zones A and B can be compacted by the

deep vibratory compaction method Vibro
Compaction (also called Vibroflotation), while
soils of zones C and D cannot be compacted by
vibration alone.
Soils in zone C are often found on sites where
liquefaction due to earthquakes is of concern. These
soils can be compacted during the installation of
Stone Columns.
Soils in zone D are not compactable by vibration, but
can be substantially reinforced, stiffened and drained
40
by installing Stone Columns.

20

Requirements for the soil to achieve good compaction by

vibration :
The soil must be permeable enough to allow rapid
drainage of the pore water during the compaction process.
The permeability is high enough for all granular soils with
less than 10 % fines smaller than sieve #200 (0.074 mm)
AND less than 2 % clay.
The friction angle of the soil must be high enough to
permit the passage of the compacting shear waves. This
requirement is usually satisfied if the soil is well graded.
The sand or gravel should not be easily crushable
(carbonate content in form of shells) or contain very platy
mica minerals that would increase soil compressibility.
41

Excellent improvement and typical probe spacing with vibro

compaction
Soil description
Expected
Typing probe spacing
Improvement
(ft)a
Well-graded sand < Excellent
9-11
5% silt, no clay
Uniform fine to
Good
7.5-9
medium sand < 5%
silt and no clay
Silty sand with 5-15% Moderate
6-7.5
silt, no clay
Sand/silts > 15% silt Not applicableb
--Clays and garbage

Not applicable

---

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21

aProbe spacing to achieve 70% relative density with

165 HP Vibrofloat , Higher densities require closer

spacing (1 ft = 0.308 m)
bLimited improvement in Silts can be achieved with
large displacements and stone backfill

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22

Vibroflotation
Suitable for granular soils
Practiced in several forms:

vibrocompaction

stone columns

vibro-replacement

Vibroflot (vibrating unit)

Length = 2 3 m
Diameter = 0.3 0.5 m
Mass = 2 tonnes
(lowered into the ground
and vibrated)

Vibroflotation
Vibroflotation is a
technique for in situ
densification
of
thick layers of loose
granular
soil
deposits. It was
developed
in
Germany in the
1930s.
From Das, 1998

46

23

Vibroflotation-Procedures

From Das, 1998

Stage1: The jet at the bottom of the Vibroflot is

turned on and lowered into the ground
Stage2: The water jet creates a quick condition in
the soil. It allows the vibrating unit to sink into the
47
ground

Stage 3: Granular material is poured from the top

of the hole. The water from the lower jet is
transferred to he jet at the top of the vibrating unit.
This water carries the granular material down the
hole
Stage 4: The vibrating unit is gradually raised in
about 0.3-m lifts and held vibrating for about 30
seconds at each lift. This process compacts the soil
to the desired unit weight.

48

24

Vibroflotation

Vibroflotation

25

Vibroflotation

Vibroflotation

26

Vibroflotation

Vibroflotation

27

Vibroflot

Stone Columns

(Wet, Top Feed Method ): vibrocompaction

vibrator makes a
hole in the weak
ground

hole backfilled ..and compacted Densely compacted

stone column55

Expected Densification and Reinforcement achieved with stone

columns
Soil description
Densification
Reinforcement
Gravel and sand <
10% silt, no clay
Sand with between
10 and 20% silt and
<2 % clay
Sand > 20% silt and
Non plastic silt
Clays

Excellent

Very good

Very good

Very good

Marginal with large

Displacements
Not applicable

Excellent
Excellent
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vibroreplacement
When Vibrofloat is used in clay, the water jets
of the Vibrofloat cuts into the soil and carry
away the fine particles to the top of the bore
hole and out of the bore hole in the form of
clay-water slurry. The clay particles neither get
displaced laterally nor is the density of clay
surrounding the bore hole increased. As a
consequence, the Vibrofloat only causes
vibroreplacement of clay by coarse sand or
gravel sand or gravel that is back-filled into the
bore hole.
57

Top Feed Vibro Replacement Process

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Vibro-Replacement Stone Columns

Vibro-Replacement Stone Columns
extends the range of soils that include
cohesive soils.
Densification and/or reinforcement of the
soil with compacted granular columns or
stone columns is accomplished by either
top-feed or the bottom-feed method.

Cohesive, mixed and layered soils

generally do not densify easily when
subjected to vibration alone. The VibroReplacement Stone Column technique was
developed specifically for these soils,
effectively extending the range of soil types
that can be improved with the deep vibratory
process. With Vibro-Replacement Stone
Columns, columns of dense, crushed stone
are designed to increase bearing capacity,
reduce settlement, aid densification and
mitigate the potential for liquefaction, and
60
improve shear resistance.

30

The Vibro-Replacement Stone Column Process:

1. Reduces foundation settlement.
2. Increases bearing capacity, allowing reduction in
footing size.
3. Provides slope stabilization.
4. Permits construction on fills.
5. Permits shallow footing construction.

Vibro-Replacement Procedures:

Stage1: The jet at the bottom of the

Vibroflot is turned on and lowered
into the ground
Stage2: The water jet creates a quick
condition in the soil. It allows the
vibrating unit to sink into the ground

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Vibro-Replacement Procedures (cont.):

Stage 3: Granular material is poured from the
top of the hole. The water from the lower jet
is transferred to the jet at the top of the
vibrating unit. This water carries the
granular material down the hole

Vibro-Replacement Procedures (cont.):

Stage 4: The vibrating unit is gradually
raised in about 0.3-m lifts and held
vibrating for about 30 seconds at each lift.
This process compacts the soil to the
desired unit weight.

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What is Stone Column?

stone columns are a ground improvement technique
to improve the load bearing capacity of the soil.
The stone column consists of crushed coarse
aggregates of various sizes.
The ratio in which the stones of different sizes will be
mixed is decided by design criteria.
65

STONE COLUMN
Most Suitable Soil Conditions /type: Soft clays and alluvial
deposits
Maximum Effective Treatment Depth: 20 m
Special Materials Required: Backfill of well graded crushed
rock /stones/ gravels 75 mm to 2 mm size.
Equipment Required: Vibroflot, crane, water or bailer and
casing or rotary drilling machine and bentonite/ casing.
Properties of Treated Material: Increased bearing capacity,
reduced settlements
Special Advantages and Limitations: Faster than precompression, avoids dewatering required for remove and
replace; limited bearing capacity, not suitable for clays with
66
sensitivity more than 4.

33

STONE COLUMN
Principle/Technique: Hole is made into soft, fine
grained soil and backfilled with densely compacted
gravel.
In Bailer and Casing method, the borehole is
advanced by using a bailer while its sides are
retained by a casing.
When the casing has reached the desired depth of
the column, chemically inert, sound and well
graded crushed stones of 75 mm to 2 mm are
placed in the casing to fill it to about 1m to 1.5 m
67
depth.

After placement of this charge, the casing is

withdrawn making sure that its bottom
invariably remains a minimum of 0.5 m into the
aggregate. The loose charge below the bottom of
the casing is then compacted by operating a
rammer of suitable weight and fall within the
casing so as to obtain a ramming energy of
around 20 kN-m (Joules) per blow.

68

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Stone Column Construction methods!

The two primary methods of Vibro Stone Column
construction are:
1. Wet, Top Feed Method (Replacement and
Displacement).
2. Dry, Bottom Feed Method (Displacement).
69

Stone Column Construction (cont.)

Wet, Top Feed Method (Replacement and Displacement):
In this technique, jetting water is used to remove soft
material, stabilize the probe hole, and ensure that the stone
backfill reaches the tip of the vibrator.
This is the most commonly used and most cost-efficient of the
deep vibratory methods. However, handling of the spoil
generated by the process may make this method more
difficult to use on confined sites or in environmentally
sensitive areas.

70

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Stone Column Construction (wet top

feed.)
**Top-Feed Construction Method:

71

Wet Stone Columns

Wet Top Feed Stone Columns were
invented in in the early 1960s. They
are faster to install and need less
sophisticated equipment than Dry
Bottom Feed Stone Columns.
However, the installation technique
requires more experience than Dry
Bottom Feed Stone Columns.
Stone columns
West Kowloon, Hong Kong

72

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Where to Use the Wet Top Feed

Stone Column Method ?
Where the compaction of sandy and gravelly
layers is required and those layers are located
above the water table. Compaction is generally
better accomplished with the wet method than
with the dry method, as the flushing water
assists in compaction of the sandy soil around
the column.
Where particularly clean stone columns are
required. The flushing water cleans the columns
during installation.
73

Wherever there are no contaminants in the soil

and the soil is not a highly plastic clay leading to
the problem of handling the mud in the process
water.
Where space is available for a 500 m2 (= 5000
ft2) settling pond.
Where the installation crew has sufficient
experience in the more demanding installation
methodology.
74

37

Hong Kong North Lantau Expressway, Tai Ho Section

MTRC traction substation 8.000 m3 of stone columns.
75

Stone column
foundation for a hotel
at Coco Beach, Puerto
Rico.

76

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 Penetration
The vibro probe
penetrates to the
required depth by
vibration and jetting
action of water.

77

Installation
Adding gravel through
the washed out
annular space
alongside the
Vibroprobe creates the
stone column.

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 Completion
The surface is leveled
and roller compacted

79

Dry Stone Columns

Dry Bottom Feed Stone Columns were invented
in Germany in the early 1970s. They are
particularly useful if washout of soil to the
surface is to be prevented or where handling of
process water for the Wet Top Feed method is
problematic.

80

40

 Dry Bottom Feed Stone Columns have been

successfully used on large infrastructure projects
like earth dams, highway embankments, airport
runways, port facilities and under large industrial
structures such as oil tanks and silos. They are a
common choice for foundations in liquefiable
soils in earthquake prone areas.
81

Dry, Bottom Feed Method (Displacement):

This technique uses the same vibrator probes as standard
Vibro-Replacement Stone Columns, but with the addition of a
hopper and supply tube to feed the stone backfill directly to
the tip of the vibrator.
Bottom Feed Vibro-Replacement is a completely dry operation
where the vibrator remains in the ground during the
construction process.
The elimination of flushing water in turn eliminates the
generation of spoil, extending the range of sites that can be
treated. Treatment is possible up to a depth of 80 feet and is
not inhibited by the presence of groundwater.
82

41

Foundation for a bridge in Leipzig,

Germany

83

Stitcher installing Dry Bottom Feed Stone

Columns in Crosby, UK

84

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85

86

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87

88

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Stone column (dry bottom feed)

89

Pictures for stone column

90

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Expected Stone Columns Results!!

91

92

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Blasting
For densifying granular soils

Fireworks?

Aftermath of blasting

93

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95

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