CVLE 528 - SOIL AND SITE IMPROVEMENT

Chapter 4 :

Mechanical modification:
DEEP COMPACTION:
- Vibro Compaction

Dr. Diala TABBAL

 1. Mechanical modification

 Deep Compaction
Three types of dynamic compaction for deeper layers

DYNAMIC COMPACTION

VIBROCOMPACTION

STONE COLUMNS

2
 VIBROCOMPACTION (Vibroflotation)

Compaction of granular soils by depth vibrators is known as Vibro Compaction.

The method is also known as “Vibroflotation”.

Vibro compaction applications are use in conditions where existing cohesionless

or slightly cohesive soils can be improved by vibration.

What is Densification Mechanism ?

The densification of cohesionless geomaterials is a process of particle rearrangement and
volume change, which result in a denser state.
 Vibro Compaction
 Basic Concept

The objective in Vibro-compaction is to achieve densification of coarse grained

soils with less than 10-15% silt. It is based on the fact that particles of non-
cohesive soil can be rearranged by vibration.

 The effect of the process is that the cohesionless soils (particles of non-
cohesive soil) can be rearranged by means of vibration, which requires a
combination of high frequency vibration and movement induced by the flushing
action of injected water resulting in initial replacement and compression of the
surrounding soils.
 Suitability
• Densifying cohesionless geomaterial with up to 20% fines (preferably less than 10%) but
less than 2–3% clay particles.

• The increase of fineness and plasticity of soil reduces the effectiveness of vibro –
compaction due to apparent cohesion for unsaturated soil or relatively low permeability
for saturated soil.

• This technique works well for saturated loose cohesionless geomaterial. If dry geomaterial
is encountered, flushing water may be used or the whole site is even flooded prior to
vibro-compaction.
• The most suitable zone to be compacted by the deep vibratory compaction method vibro Compaction
(also called “vibroflotation”) is zone B, which ranges from fine sand to fine gravel. Zone A is suitable for
vibro-compaction but may be difficult due to large particles of gravels.

• Zones C and D cannot be compacted by vibration alone. Zone C may be feasible but requires longer time
for densification. Soils in zone C are often found on sites where liquefaction due to earthquakes is of
concern

• Fine-grained soil in zone D makes densification by vibration impossible;

• Soils in zones C and D can be reinforced, stiffened and drained by using deep replacement method,
such as Stone Columns.
 Advantages
• Vibro-compaction is a quick, easy, and economical construction process. It is a proven
ground improvement method for many successful projects around the world. This
method can be used to improve geomaterials above and below the groundwater table.

• The intensity of compaction can be varied to meet bearing capacity criteria.

• Densification of granular soils by VC results in:

• Increased bearing capacity of soil
• Increased resistance to shear movement
• Sand and gravel particles rearrange into a denser state.
• Ratio of horizontal to vertical effective stress is increased significantly.
• Permeability of the soil is reduced 2 to 10 fold, depending on many factors.
• Friction angle typically increases by up to 8 degrees.
• Stiffness modulus can be increased 2 to 4 fold
• 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.

 Limitations
However, this method is limited to cohesionless geomaterial with a low clay content (i.e., less
than 3%). Installation induces vibration and possible ground subsidence.
 Applications
Vibro-compaction has been mostly used to increase bearing capacity, reduce settlement,
and mitigate liquefaction for a variety of projects when loose cohesionless geomaterial
exists. Examples of these projects are:
Buildings, Chemical plants, Storage tanks & silos, Pipelines, Wharf structures,
embankments, Roadways, dams,
Both land / offshore applications
VIBROCOMPACTION

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.
 Vibro – Compaction: Process
• This technique, called the vibro-flotation method, drives a vibrating probe (called
vibroflot, around 2m in length) into the ground, which generates lateral vibratory forces
to rearrange particles into a dense state. The rearrangement of particles becomes
possible only when the induced forces are higher than the interparticle friction.

• The vibrator is typically suspended from a crane and lowered vertically into the soil
under its own weight.
• In saturated cohesionless geomaterial, vibration can generate excess pore water
pressure, which reduces interparticle contact forces (i.e., effective stresses) so that the
interparticle friction (i.e., shear strength) is reduced. As a result, the rearrangement of
particles becomes easier. In dry cohesionless geomaterial, water can be injected to make
the compaction easier

Combined action of vibration and

water saturation by jetting
rearranges loose sand grains into a
more compact and densified state
to create stable foundation.
 Vibro – Compaction: Process
• Penetration is usually aided by water jets integrated into the vibrator assembly. Vibro-
flotation has a vibrator at the bottom of the probe (also called bottom vibrator), which
generates vibration by the rotation of an eccentric weight at the bottom of the probe. If
difficult penetration is encountered, predrilling through the firm soils may also be
performed.

• The compaction starts at the bottom of the treatment depth. After reaching the bottom
of the treatment zone, the vibrating unit is gradually raised un about 0.3 m lifts and
held vibrating for about 30 seconds at a time. This process compacts the soil to the
desired unit weight. 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.

• During vibro-compaction, granular material (clean sand backfill) is poured into the top
of the hole to compensate for the reduction in soil volume resulting from the
densification process.
 Vibro – Compaction: Process
During vibro-compaction, granular material (clean sand backfill) is poured into the top of the
hole to compensate for the reduction in soil volume resulting from the densification
process. If no sand is added, the in situ sands will fall, resulting in a depression at the ground
surface. Loose sand will experience a 5 to 15% volume reduction during densification.
Coarser backfill, up to gravel size, improves the effectiveness of the technique, especially in
silty soils. The technique does not densify the sands within 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m) of the
ground surface. If necessary, this is accomplished with a steel drum vibratory roller.
Compaction at selected locations using vibrations and vibratory
equipment results in compaction to large depths up to 40 m (mostly within 20 m).
 Degree and Distance of Influence
It was found that there is a critical acceleration of approximately 0.5 g, above which the dynamic stresses
induced by dynamic compaction destroy the structure of granular soils.
• When the acceleration is increased to more than 1.5g, the shear strength of the soil is significantly
reduced and the soil is fluidized.
• A further increase of acceleration exceeding 3.0g causes soil dilation.

The response of cohesionless soil to vibration can be

classified in four zones around the vibrating probe:
(1) dilatory zone, (2) fluidized zone, (3) compaction zone,
and (4) elastic zone.

• The fluidization is referred to the dry soil losing its

stability at a high acceleration.
• For saturated soil, liquefaction may happen at a high
acceleration. The materials in the dilatory and
fluidized zones are in a plastic state and form a
plastic zone causing plastic deformations while those
in the compaction zone are in an elastic-plastic state.

The best densification happens at the boundary between the plastic zone and the compaction zone. The
compaction zone extends to the point where no further densification happens (i.e. in the elastic zone).
 A- Volume Change without Backfill

Vibro-compaction without backfill often induces ground subsidence. The volume change
will be calculated using a phase diagram. Under an initial condition, a geomaterial mass
consists of solid and void and the total volume, V0, is equal to the sum of the solid volume,
Vs, and the void volume, Vv.

Volume changes during densification without backfill: (a) initial and (b) after improvement.
 B- Volume Change with Backfill
During vibro-compaction, backfill materials are sometimes added to help densify surrounding
cohesionless geomaterial. If the backfill volume is equal to the volume change from the initial
state to the improved state (i.e., no ground subsidence), the following relationship can be
established:

Volume changes during densification withbackfill: (a) initial and (b) after improvement.
 Design Considerations

1- Performance Criteria
For most vibro-compaction projects, the following performance criteria should be considered:
• Relative density of geomaterial, Dr ≥ 60% for floor slabs, flat bottom tanks, and embankments
• Dr ≥ 70–75% for column footings and bridge foundations
• Dr ≥ 80% for machinery and mat foundations

2- Grid Pattern and Spacing

Grid points for vibrocompaction can be in a square, rectangular or triangular pattern.
Typical spacing for vibro-compaction ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 m, depending on type, initial
density, and target density of the geomaterial and horsepower of the vibrator.
3- Area and Depth of Improvement

In general, the area of improvement should be larger than footprints of foundations.

Some typical arrangements of compaction probe points below isolated and strip footings
are shown in Figure. Under a general condition, one to two rows of compaction points
may be installed outside of a footing. On a liquefiable soil site, two to four rows of
compaction points may be installed outside of a footing. The depth of improvement
should be deep enough to eliminate all potential problems for problematic geomaterials.

Typical arrangements of compaction probe points below isolated and strip footings (modified from Kirsch
and Kirsch, 2010)
4- Design Parameters and Procedure

Design parameters for vibro-compaction include:

• Geomaterial type, fine content, and percent of clay particles
• Thickness and depth of problematic geomaterial
• Depth of groundwater table
• Initial void ratio or relative density of geomaterial
• Target void ratio or relative density of geomaterial
• Pattern and spacing of compaction points
• Area of improvement
• Equipment type and horsepower
• Frequency of penetration, compaction, and extraction
• Duration of compaction
• Ground subsidence
• Diameter of column if backfill is used.

 The success of in situ densification (Improved soil characteristics) depend on:

 the soil type and on grain size distribution of the in situ soils,
 spacing of the penetration points and
 the time spent performing the compaction.
5- Procedure for Design

The following procedure can be followed for the design of vibro-compaction:

1. Based on geotechnical profile and potential problems, determine whether vibro-

compaction is suitable. The most important parameters are fine content and percent of
clay particles.

2. If the geomaterial is deemed suitable for vibrocompaction, estimate the initial void or
relative density.

3. Based on the performance requirement (e.g., bearing capacity, settlement, and

liquefaction), select a target void ratio or relative density.

4. Based on the required relative density or allowable bearing capacity, estimate the required
spacing of compaction points.

5. Calculate a potential ground subsidence.

6. If the ground subsidence is greater than the requirement, backfill should be used to
minimize the ground subsidence.
Example: Vibro-Compaction without Backfill
A 5-m-thick loose sand exists on a site that has a fine content of 8% without any clay
particles. The minimum and maximum void ratios of this sand are 0.456 and 0.950,
respectively. This sand has an initial void ratio of 0.673. The design requires the sand to
be densified to a target relative density of 75%. A large horsepower vibrator (such as
HP100) is available for vibro-compaction. Estimate the required spacing of compaction
points in a triangular pattern and the average ground subsidence after vibro-
compaction without backfill.

Relative density Dr
Dr=(emax-e) / (emax - emin)
END