2.

GROUND TREATMENT BY VIBROCOMPACTION/VIBROFLOTATION

T h e following clauses shall b e read in conjunction with the general

requirements for ground treatment work given in section 1 of this
Specification.

2.1. Description T h e ground t r e a t m e n t shall b e carried out by d e e p vibratory compac­

tion.

2.2. Particular T h e following matters a r e , where appropriate, described in the Particu­

Specification lar Specification

(a) design loads and settlement criteria

(b) degree of compaction
(c) depth of t r e a t m e n t
(d) area of t r e a t m e n t .

2.3. Materials G r a n u l a r material used to fill depressions caused by compaction shall be

2.3.1. Suitability of added free from clay and with not m o r e than 5 % material passing the BS
granular material 75 um sieve. T h e granular material may be either site material or
imported to t h e Site.

2.3.2. Fill material T h e material used by the Contractor for filling to m a k e u p ground levels
to the working surface prior to t r e a t m e n t shall be hard inert granular
material capable of passing the BS 106 m m sieve and not m o r e than
1 0 % passing the BS 75 urn sieve.

2.4. Ground treatment
2.4.1. Method of treatment
T r e a t m e n t may be by either the wet or dry process. It shall be d e m o n ­
strated on site that the required depth of treatment can be achieved and
that the spacing of compaction points is appropriate for the required
degree of compaction. W h e r e a change in the m e t h o d of t r e a t m e n t is
required by t h e Contractor , the
agreement of the Engineer shall be sought without delay.

2.4.2. Water supply T h e Contractor shall provide a supply of water. If the wet process is
selected, the Contractor shall indicate
the rate of water supply required and be responsible for checking that
this is available. T h e Contractor
shall be responsible for supplying any extra storage tanks and pumping
as required.

2.4.3. Effluent disposal T h e Contractor shall be responsible for disposing of effluent to a water­
course or sewer and for complying with the requirements of the statu­
tory authorities. T h e Contractor
shall state clearly the n u m b e r and size of any silt traps required. These
shall be provided and maintained by the Contractor. O n completion of
the ground t r e a t m e n t the Contractor shall r e m o v e all such equipment
and backfill any pits.

2.4.4. Depth of treatment T h e depth of treatment shall b e as shown on t h e documents and shall
not be varied without the prior agreement of t h e Engineer.

2.4.5. Tolerances All compaction points shall be located to within 150 m m of t h e plan
positions shown on the compaction point layout drawings.

2.5. Buried obstructions T h e Contractor shall break out known near-surface obstructions and fill
2.5.1. Known near-surface the resulting voids with suitable granular material prior to the com­
obstructions m e n c e m e n t of the ground treatment works by the Contractor

2.5.2. Unforeseen W h e r e an unforeseen obstruction is encountered below ground level,

obstructions the Engineer shall be informed immediately. T h e Engineer will then
decide with the Contractor
whether or not the obstruction is to be removed.

Institution of Civil Engineers. Specification for ground treatment. TTL, London, 1987 3
 W h e r e it is decided to remove the obstruction, the Engineer will
instruct the Contractor to excavate the obstruction and backfill the void
with approved granular material.

2.6. Site control T h e Contractor shall k e e p daily records of the treatment carried out and
2.6.1. Records shal submit signed copies of these records to the Engineer within two
working days. The records shall show

(a) date
(b) compaction point reference
(c) depth of penetration at each compaction point
(d) vibrator power consumption
(/) during penetration
(ii) during compaction
(e) jetting pressure (where applicable)
(/) duration of
(i) penetration
(ii) compaction
(g) obstructions and delays
(h) n u m b e r and type of tests carried out.

A n y unforeseen conditions encountered and reported shall be noted

briefly in the records.

2.6.2. Surface compaction W h e r e ground treatment is being applied to areas where the founda­
tions are less than 600 m m below the treatment working surface,
measures shall be taken by the Contractor on completion of the treat­
m e n t to ensure that this depth is adequately compacted to the satisfac­
tion of the Engineer.

4 Institution of Civil Engineers. Specification for ground treatment. TTL, London, 1987