Methods of Ground Improvement

1. Vacuum Consolidation

Vacuum Consolidation is an effective means for improvement of saturated soft soils. The
soil site is covered with an airtight membrane and vacuum is created underneath it by
using dual venture and vacuum pump. The technology can provide an equivalent pre-
loading of about 4.5m high conventional surcharge fill. Vacuum-assisted consolidation
preloads the soil by reducing the pore pressure while maintaining a constant total stress.

Procedure:-
An air/water pumping system is installed and creates a vacuum in the soil below the
impervious membrane equivalent to a depression of between 60-80 KPa, depending on
the global efficiency of the system.
This pressure is equivalent to that exerted by a 3-4m high surcharge embankment. This
preloading through the application of an atmospheric pressure creates an isotropic
accelerated consolidation of the compressible soils. Settlement is then achieved without a
surcharge load, in a greatly reduced time, than is normal.
While the area is under vacuum consolidation, normally 4-6 months, no activity that can
puncture the membrane is allowed on the vacuum area without proper protection.
However heavy plant and filling can usually proceed in the adjacent areas.
A monitoring system is usually installed and operated during the consolidation period to
record settlement, displacement & pressures.

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2. Jet Grouting

Jet grouting is a general term used by grouting contractors to describe various

construction techniques used for ground modification or ground improvement. Grouting
contractors use ultra high-pressure fluids or binders that are injected into the soils at high
velocities. These binders break up the soil structure completely and mix the soil particles
in-situ to create a homogeneous mass, which in turn solidifies.
This ground modification / ground improvement of the soil plays an important role in the
fields of foundation stability, particularly in the treatment of load bearing soils under new
and existing buildings; in the in-depth impermeabilization of water bearing soils; in
tunnel construction; and to mitigate the movement of impacted soils and groundwater.

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3. Vibro Compaction

Vibro-compaction, sometimes referred to as Vibro floatation, is the rearrangement of soil

particles into a denser configuration by the use of powerful depth vibration. Vibro
compaction is a ground improvement process for densifying loose sands to create stable
foundation soils. The principle behind vibro compaction is simple. The combined action
of vibration and water saturation by jetting rearranges loose sand grains into a more
compact state. Vibro compaction is performed with specially-designed vibrating probes.
Both horizontal and vertical modes of vibration have been used in the past. The vibrators
used by Terra Systems consist of torpedo-shaped probes 12 to 16 inches in diameter
which vibrates at frequencies typically in the range of 30 to 50 Hz. The probe is first
inserted into the ground by both jetting and vibration. After the probe reaches the
required depth of compaction, granular material, usually sand, is added from the ground
surface to fill the void space created by the vibrator. A compacted radial zone of granular
material is created

Applications:
Reduction of foundation settlements.
Reduction of risk of liquefaction due to seismic activity.
Permit construction on granular fills.

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4. Stone Column

Stone Columns are formed by inserting a vibrating probe to incorporate

granular aggregate into the ground via the resulting void. This is followed by the re-
compaction of granular aggregate. Both Top and Bottom feed techniques are
available, depending on the stability of the in-situ soils and water level. The Stone
Columns are typically installed under uniformly loaded structures, such a building slabs
and embankments, on regular grid spacing. A load transfer platform can then be
designed to spread the load from the structure to the improved ground.
This technology is well suited for the improvement of soft soils such as silty sand, silts,
clays and non homogeneous fills. Due to their lack of lateral confinement organic soils,
peat and very soft clays are not suitable for this method, and other ground improvement
methods need to be considered.

1. Stone columns are formed by inserting a 130kW hydraulic or electric vibro-float

using air as a jetting fluid, equipped with a pressure chamber facility. This
combination gives the best results for the incorporation of the granular column
backfill to the bottom of the column and delivers the continuity and optimum
compaction required. The vibrating probe penetrates the soil to the design depth or
refusal, and as a result the soil is displaced laterally without producing any spoil.

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2. As the probe is lifted the granular fill is deposited into the void by gravity and
assisted by the injection of compressed air. The aggregate is then compacted by
repeated re-insertion of the vibrating probe, in lifts of 30-50cm, until the aggregates
reach the surface.
3. The final diameter of the Stone Column depends on the properties of the surrounding
soils and may vary with depth in non-homogeneous soils.