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What is Soil Improvement? countries coastal properties are already densely populated
In the dredging industry soil improvement is typically >` i >i> i>L >i Vi >>V ii v
implemented: recreation and residence. Consequently, with the growth
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in order to eliminate environmental impacts. ` > ii` iii iV}V> ii>V
Soil improvement techniques vary depending on the i V`> v ii v  >``] i
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How is Soil Improvement used to
What is the difference between reduce environmental impacts?
c ompaction and consolidation? Soil improvement is also applied to improve the mechanical
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iVivi>`>`V`>iViv heavy metals and other soil contaminants. Many techniques
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and can be done with smooth rollers, HEIC, or dynamic sediments such as dewatering the sediment to reduce the
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with cement or other suitable materials that render the soil reclamation material.
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i`iVivii`}V`>vi How does Soil Improvement help in
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vacuum consolidation, all methods in which soil i viiV v iV >V V> Li i>i}
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Why is consolidation for Soil V>i]>v]]>ii>>`
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iv>VVV>>i`]>]V stressed zone. Increased pore pressure may also cause soil
the space between individual soil particles is completely >L>`>iv>i>i
vi` >i /i >i ii > ii i A vertical drainage system drains are generally placed
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are pressed together. Water pressure in soil is generally ii q > v > v>i i> v iVi i >i
relatively low. However, when an earthquake occurs, the `iVi>}iv>iv>i/iV`>v
shaking can cause the water pressure to increase to a degree vVii}iV>`>V>i`Viiii
where the soil particles begin to move around and create ivi>i}>Li>}V>>V
an unstable situation. Such an increase in water pressure adequate and construction can commence rapidly.
can also be activated by construction-related activities
V>L>}iv>V`iVi>iii}vi What is vacuum consolidation?
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as well as in reclaimed land. iVi ii i >V> v > V>}i
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natural course may take a decade or more. Given the consolidation, the vacuum pressure applied contributes to
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settled enough to support buildings or an airport or houses, i>`}] i`V} V`i>L i v i v>i
the project may be jeopardised. A lengthy turnaround i}viV>}i
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the reclaimed land is usually needed as soon as possible. PTD systems?
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techniques have been developed to stabilise the new >iV >`} >V V`>] >` i
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or wick drains are applied in areas with loose, compressible vertical wick drains, all connected to a horizontal collection
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soils are characterised by a very weak soil skeleton and a `iv>>iiiLiivi
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serious problems. Any increase in load can result in an reinforce or stabilise soils?
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resulting in an in-situ hardening process. In this way, the soil
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required in the shortest time and in an economical manner.
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What is vibroflotation?

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The wick drain system is one method used to hasten the removal Lii>>}i`>iLiViiii`ii
of water from soil. Here, wick anchor plates are being used to / V>V i>i >` Vi>i i Li>}
mark the location of each wick prior to installation. `ivi]i`V}iV>Viviiiv
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project.
What is High Energy Impact A specially developed sand drain vessel equipped with
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a non-circular, asymmetric compactor module towed along casings are driven into the seabed to the required depth.
the ground by a tractor. In every rotation, the module rises /i ii i V>i` i
up on its contact point with ground and drops to create an V>}Vv}>>`ii
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impact compaction mechanism enables the compaction How are geotextiles used for Soil
energy to reach deeper levels than can be reached by Imp rove m e nt ?
normal static bulldozers or vibratory compaction methods. iii >i > >V> V`} v>
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> } } /i L> v > ii What are other advantages of Soil
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high power pumps. Simultaneously, during this injection > VivviVi i> v i`V} V>>
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tel. +31 (0)70 352 3334, fax +31 (0)70 351 2654, e-mail: info@iadc-dredging.com, www.iadc-dredging.com

i>i} V>>i` > > v` ivviV -i with which the land is secured. A well-managed soil
vii`V>Liii`vVViV] improvement system appropriate to the site will enhance
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unusable sediment is reduced in quantity decreasing the
> v >Vi ii`i` v >}i] V >> > For further reading and information
costly, environmentally sensitive issue. In addition, when >
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additives such as cement are used during soil improvement i*v L>i]Terra et Aqua, Lin]-iiLi
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construction works and also immobilise contaminated 
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Geotechnical Conditions at the Seawall Project in Brisbane, Coasts
marine sediments.
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Is Soil Improvement worth the effort? 
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 iV>> iV] i V v `i`}} >` v} Sophisticated and Interactive Design Process Delivers Success for
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operations, including soil improvement and building Australia.
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compared to using urban land at high-priced shorelines i`iV >`i i Engineering Treatment of Soils.
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addition, the environmental advantages to improving soil
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can be seen in mitigating instabilities during seismic events > i i} >`
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I s one Soil Improvement system  6> i}i] 
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p r eferable over another? 6>`Vi `}-v-]Terra et Aqua,x]
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Reviewing many trials and tests, the conclusion must be
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to develop newly reclaimed land or compaction methods to
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stabilise subsoils in vulnerable seismic areas. Each technique ii>i>}i`i]Terra et Aqua]
has its own advantages and disadvantages in relation to >V]n
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V`i i iVvV ii` v > iV >` V>V This brochure is presented by the International Association of D r e d g i n g
Companies whose members offer the highest quality and professi o n a l i s m
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in dredging and maritime construction. The information present e d h e r e
Although this evaluation stage may bring additional costs, is part of an on-going effort to
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understanding the fundamental
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>i Li iVii` i i}ii` ivvViV maritime construction.