The Performance of Foundations on Various Soils Stabilized by the Vibro-compaction Method

The improvement of weak or loose soil deposits by the vibrational technique has now become a well established method. Loose or medium dense sands can be compacted with slender, cylindrical vibrators (vibro-compaction method). Cohesive or organic soil can be improved by their partial displacement or replacement with selected granular material which is vibrated into the parent soil (vibro-replacement method). Compaction depth up to 30 m (100 ft) can be achieved.This paper describes the method of construction of compaction columns and stone columns. Method of estimating the settlement of the improved soil under given load conditions is presented. The applicability and limits of the process are outlined.Two case histories are discussed and they were chosen for their various degrees of difficulties encountered in the subsoil and because the settlement specifications placed very strict limits on the foundation performance.