Ground improvement

Abstract

Ground improvement techniques can often be used as an economical alternative to piled and deep foundation solutions for a wide range of made ground, fill materials and natural soils to support houses, offices, industrial units, tanks, road embankments and similar lowrise developments. Techniques used include in situ compaction of clean sands using depth vibrators, adding stone or concrete during compaction to form vibro stone or vibro concrete columns and dynamic compaction. As the soil conditions have a large influence on the result, ground improvement techniques require an appropriate level of site and ground investigation to permit satisfactory geotechnical characterisation of the soil profile. Ground improvement also requires an appropriate level of understanding of where the differing techniques work and how to ensure correct and appropriate application. Quality control and monitoring procedures during execution of ground improvement techniques are essential to ensure successful implementation and performance. Ground improvement techniques permit the adoption of relatively simple shallow foundations and groundbearing warehouse floor slabs. They can also provide significant sustainability advantages in comparison to more traditional deep foundation methods.