OMITOGUN SOLOMON T.

189078021
(APPLIED SOIL MECHANICS FOR CIVIL ENG.)

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
AKOKA, LAGOS
NIGERIA
2019
 Vibrofloation is one of the latest ground
improvement techniques applied by the
rearrangement of soil particles into a
denser configuration by the use of
powerful depth vibration.
 It is a Deep Foundation Technique used for
Ground improvement by soil consolidation to
considerable depth, up to 75 meters.
 It uses a probe called Vibro-flot (which could
be powered electrically or hydraulically) to
strengthen the soil by deep compaction.
 It involves the introduction of backfill
granular material (Sand or Granite) to form
Stone columns interlocking with surrounding
soil.
 Developed in Germany in the 1930s for in – situ densification of
thick layers of loosed granular soil deposits.
 Process involves the use of a vibroflot (called the vibrating unit).
The device is 2 m length. Vibrating unit has an eccentric weight
inside it and can develop a centrifugal force. Openings at the
bottom and top of the unit are for water jets.
 The entire compaction process can be divided into four steps.
Step 1
The jet at the bottom of the vobroflot
is turned on, and the vibroflot is
lowered into the ground.
 Step 2
◦ The water jet
creates a quick
condition in the
soil, which allows
the vibrating unit
to sink.
 Step 3
◦ Granular material is
poured into 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.
 Step 4
◦ The vibrating unit
is gradually raised
in about 0.3 m lifts
and is held
vibrating for about
30 seconds at a
time. This process
compacts the soil
to the desired unit
weight.
Most coarse-grained soils with fines content of
less than 10% are considered acceptable for
this method, i.e. sands, gravels, and slags.
APPLICABLE SOIL TYPES

The orange area represents the grain size distribution of soils

suitable for vibroflotation (Bauer Maschinen GmbH, 2012)
1.Soil
Penetration
2.
Densification
at specified
depth
3.Retract
vibroflot
4.Backfill
 Vibro Compaction method
 Vibro Replacement method
(Wet top feed)
 Vibro Displacement method
(Dry method)
Vibro Compaction method
This method allows granular soils to be
compacted. This method is only used to
compact sandy soils.
Vibro Replacement method
(Wet top feed)
This method involved the partial replacement
of poor soil material, by flushing out the
weak soil with Water/Air Jet and replacing
with granular material.
 Vibro Displacement method
(Dry method)
This method is used where the environment
plays a critical role in project.
Little or no water is used in the construction.
The vibro-flot is inserted in to soil and the
soil is displaced laterally as the stone column
is being formed and compacted.
 Type of environment
 Type of environment
 Soil condition
 Type of environment
 Soil condition
 Type of equipment
 Type of environment
 Soil condition
 Type of equipment
 Procedures adopted
 Type of environment
 Soil condition
 Type of equipment
 Procedures adopted
 Skill/experience of the site
engineer
 It reduces the possibility of differential
settlements that will improve the foundation
condition of the proposed structure.
 It reduces the possibility of differential
settlements that will improve the foundation
condition of the proposed structure
 It is the fastest and easiest way to improve
soil when bottom layers of soil will not
provide good load bearing capacity.
 It reduces the possibility of differential
settlements that will improve the foundation
condition of the proposed structure
 It is the fastest and easiest way to improve
soil when bottom layers of soil will not
provide good load bearing capacity.
 It is faster than piling method.
 It can be done around existing structures
without damaging them.
 It can be done around existing structures
without damaging them.
 It does not harm the environment
 It can be done around existing structures
without damaging them.
 It does not harm the environment
 No excavations are needed, reducing the
hazards, contamination of soils and hauling
material out from the site
 Vibro-compaction is not effective where the
fines (silt and clay) exceeds 20 per cent.
 Coarser grain size limit is applicable to vibro-
compaction.
 Cannot be used in low permeable soils.
 The vibroflotation technique has been proven
to be an effective and economic method of
improving the loose granular non-cohesive
soils for a wide range of applications.
 This technique is good for improving the
bearing capacity of the ground as well as the
shear strength and compressibility
characteristics of granular soils which reduce
total and differential foundation settlements.