Dynamic Compaction Is Often Necessary For Ground Stabilization

By Author: William Hauselberg
Total Articles: 816
Comment this article

Dynamic compaction is something that can be used to make the density of the soil strong when other many other methods have failed to complete the task. Dynamic compaction is used to make the density of soil deposits much stronger. The different steps involve dropping a weight that is very heavy again and again on the surface at regularly spaced timings. The weight and the mass and the height determine the amount of compaction that the weight would cause on the surface. In choosing what weight to use it heavily depends on how much compaction is desired and is often between 6 tons to 38 tons. The height of the weight can range from 1m to 30m.

The Effects Dynamic Compaction Generates

The shock power of the weight when it crashes on the ground is meant to help in the densification of the soil. These are known as stress waves and these stress waves can penetrate up to 10m, which is quite powerful. Soils that are cohensionless the waves are able to create liquefaction which is then followed by the compaction of the soil. They are able to create a stronger amount of pore water pressure which will then allow the soil to ...
... compact. The pressure that is trapped between rocks and soils are known as the pore water pressure.

The desire amount of compaction depends on how heavy the weight is and the height from which the hammer is dropped, distance between the hammer and the desired target. The first weight dropping will create the strongest impression, and will penetrate the target much deeper. The drops there after, will often be much shallower, although this depends on of course the intervals place in between each of the drops thereafter the first drop. The number of drops required is very different for each situation and depends on the desired results that you want to achieve.

Dynamic Compaction is an Important Part of Ground Improvement

Deep dynamic compaction is needed because most soil types are improved by going through the dynamic compaction process. The types of soils most often treated are old fills. Sometimes if the soil is below the water level it is then very important that it is treated carefully because the pressures caused by the water pores can be dangerous.

Geo-Solutions Inc (Geo-Solutions) helps contractors, owners and engineers select and implement cost-effective and practical construction solutions to environmental and civil engineering problems. Geo-Solutions specialties include ground improvement or soil stabilization technologies such as dynamic compaction and deep dynamic compaction.