Discussion On Method

Method Descriptions

1. Vibro Compaction

- The method of soil improvement whereby granular soils are compacted using
depth vibrators is known as “Vibro flotation”. Natural deposited soils as well as
artificially reclaimed sands can be compacted to great depths. The current depth
record lies at 70 meters for reclaimed sands and at 53 meters for naturally
deposited sands. The intensity of compaction can be varied in order to achieve
the desired effect depending upon the foundation or ground improvement
purpose.

Vibro compaction is a ground improvement technique that densifies clean, cohesionless

granular soils by means of a downhole vibrator. The vibrator is typically suspended from a crane and
lowered vertically into the soil under its own weight. Penetration is usually aided by water jets
integrated into the vibrator assembly. After reaching the bottom of the treatment zone, the soils are
densified in lifts as the probe is extracted. During vibro compaction, clean sand backfill is typically
added at the ground surface to compensate for the reduction in soil volume resulting from the
densification process. The vibratory energy reduces the inter-granular forces between the soil
particles, allowing them to move into a denser configuration, typically achieving a relative density of
70 to 85 percent. The treated soils have increased density, friction angle and stiffness. Compaction is
achieved above and below the water table.

The improved soil characteristics depend on the soil type and gradation, spacing of the
penetration points and the time spent performing the compaction. Generally, the vibro compaction
penetration spacing is between 6 feet and 14 feet, with centers arranged on a triangular or square
pattern. Compaction takes place without setting up internal stresses in the soil, thus ensuring
permanent densification.

The use of clean sand backfill during vibro compaction allows the original site elevation to be
maintained. However, on sites where the planned final grade is below the existing grade, lowering of
the site elevation may be desirable. In these instances, the ground surface is allowed to subside
during the compaction effort.

Vibro compaction permits the use of economical spread footings with design bearing
pressures generally of 5 ksf up to 10 ksf. Settlement and seismic liquefaction potentials are reduced.
The required treatment depth is typically in the range of 15 to 50 feet, but vibro compaction has
been performed to depths as great as 120 feet. Examples of previously performed applications
include increasing bearing capacity, decreasing settlement and mitigating liquefaction for planned
structures, embankments, railways and roadways.

Vibro compaction rigs can be fully instrumented with an on-board computer to monitor
parameters during vibro compaction. Monitoring these parameters allows the operator to correct
any deviations in real-time during the construction process to keep the vibro compaction within
project specifications. Data from the Data Acquisition (DAQ) system such as amperage and lift rate
are recorded and displayed in real-time alongside specified target values on an in-cab monitor.
Benefits

- vibro compaction techniques are extremely well established and in suitable soil
types can be used for construction of tank farms, ports and marine structures
- vibro compaction is extremely effective for sand compaction, and to date BBGE
has utilised the technique in the Middle East, North America and the
Mediterranean
- vibro compaction can provide fast, in-situ densification of loose sands to depths
of up to 30 metres and is one of the most economical and sustainable ground
improvement methods available
- vibro compaction significantly reduces the threat of liquefaction in the event of
seismic shocks
-

How vibro compaction works

The offset position of the eccentric weight housed in the vibroflot creates a horizontal
vibratory action, which acts to compact loose granular soils (i.e. sand and gravels) into a denser
condition, thus providing a significant improvement in the geotechnical properties of the treated
ground.

On reaching the required design depth water jetting from the nose cone is reduced, and the
vibroflot is slowly extracted with pauses at regular intervals to ensure satisfactory levels of
compaction are achieved at each depth. Additional side water jets are often utilised to assist with
compaction and to encourage further erosion of the soils around the bore.

The vibroflot is gradually withdrawn back to the surface where a zone of compacted ground
is formed around the insertion point. Additional site won sand may also be added at the top of the
hole to fill the cone of depression that is formed. The rate of extraction is varied to suit the
conditions encountered on site and to ensure that the correct amount of densification is achieved
for each project.