Ground Improvement

by Depth Vibrator

11/2011
Why ground improvement?

During the planning stage of a construction project a soil investigation is usually carried out on the proposed site by a
specialist soils engineer who assesses the bearing capacity of the subsoil and recommends possible types of
foundations. Normally, the subsoil provides adequate bearing capacity without special foundation measures being
required (see Example 1 in Figure 1 below).
If, however, the specialist soils engineer comes to the conclusion that the subsoil does not have sufficient bearing
capacity, then various solutions are available, such as ground improvement or deep foundations (see Examples 2 and
3 in Figure 1 below).

1 2 3

B nt
Bv Ba
Bt
Pile
Bt = Subsoil, load-bearing
Bt Bt Bv = Subsoil, compacted
Bnt = Subsoil, non load-bearing
Ba = gravel blanket

Fig. 1: Different subsoil conditions and possible foundation methods

In many cases, ground improvement offers an economical and fast method for improving the engineering characteristics
of the prevailing subsoil.

Advantages of ground improvement:

No excavation, therefore no environmental impact resulting from costly transportation and specialist disposal of
contaminated soils.
No groundwater lowering, therefore no requirement for permits, no discharge problems and no risk to adjacent
buildings.
Simple foundation conditions, similar to natural subsoils with an adequate bearing capacity. The technique is
highly adaptable.
Environmentally compatible by using only natural materials (VF and VD processes) VCC columns require a
shorter penetration depth into load-bearing soil compared to bored piles.

By providing good technical supervision and workmanship throughout the works and understanding the interaction
between subsoil and structure, it is possible to attain the required bearing capacity in nearly all natural and artificial soils
subject to certain qualifications.

PI 80 11/2011 2
The techniques

Fig. 2: VF with TR 75 Fig. 3: VD with BF 12 and bottom feed Fig. 4: VCC with BG 12 and TR 17
vibrator TR 17

Vibroflotation VF
Applicable in non-cohesive and slightly cohesive granular soils such as sands and gravels, as well as slag
deposits. Suitable for carrying high loads on the improved subsoil, including dynamic loads without significant
settlements. Particularly economical application in fully saturated soils below the groundwater table. (Fig. 2)

Vibrodisplacement VD
Applicable in mixed grained or cohesive soils, such as sandy silts, to fine-grained soils with undrained shear
strength values ranging from 20 to 100 kN/m by the introduction of coarse grained backfill material. Suitable for
light to medium structural loads. (Fig. 3)

Vibro concrete columns VCC

Applicable in soft superficial deposits, including organic material, overlying load-bearing subsoil. Suitable for light to
medium structural loads. Very low settlements. (Fig. 4)

%
Clay Silt Sand Gravel Stone
100

90

80

70

60
VD VF
50

40

30

20

10

0
Fig. 5: Zones of application for the VF 0,001 0,01 1 10 100

and VD techniques 0,002 0,006 0,02 0,06 0,2 0,6 2 6 20 60 mm

PI 80 11/2011 3
Vibroflotation process (VF)

Granular or slightly cohesive sediments, such as

gravels and sands, are generally considered to be
ideal foundation soils for carrying high loads. It is,
however, frequently overlooked that in their natural
state these types of soil are characterised by an
extremely non-uniform state of compaction.
Surcharging these soils with structural loads can lead
to large differential settlements, which result in
structural damage.
By application of the VF technique it is possible to
transform such soil layers quickly and economically
into soils with optimal load-bearing characteristics.
The treated areas are homogenised and at the same
time compacted to a relative density of around 80 %,
attaining a modulus of compressibility ranging from 80
to 150 MN/m, under particularly favourable soil
conditions even 150 to 200 MN/m. The upper one to
two metres of soil cannot be compacted effectively by Fig. 6: Placement of imported material by a wheeled loader
the Vibroflotation technique. These areas must be
compacted by vibratory surface compaction rollers or
alternatively be removed

What occurs inside the soil?

During the vibroflotation process, the vibrations
introduced into the soil by the depth vibrator together
with water or air flushing temporarily destroy the
intergranular friction, allowing the soil particles to
rearrange themselves under gravitational forces into uncompacted soil compacted soil
the densest possible state. This increases the relative Fig. 7: Relative soil density
density of the body of soil being treated and results in
an overall volume reduction of around 8 to 15 %. This
causes the formation of a crater around the
compaction point, which is backfilled with imported
material, generally crushed stone, gravel or sand. As
a result of the denser packing of the soil particles,
settlements have been eliminated in advance.

The Foundation Concept

The effectiveness of the densification around a
compaction point is largely influenced by the
prevailing soils and ranges generally between around
2 and 4 m. The spacings between individual
compaction points depend on various factors, such as
specified relative density, grain size distribution, silt
content, power output of the depth vibrator, etc. Fine
sands require smaller spacings than coarse sands or
gravels. When determining the size of the area to be Fig. 8: Formation of a crater during soil compaction with a
compacted, it is essential to be aware that the soils at depth vibrator
the periphery of the proposed building influence its
settlement behaviour and stability. Under uniformly
distributed loads the compaction points are usually
arranged in the form of equilateral triangles, whilst
under point and line loads the compaction points are a
generally arranged more densely. The extent of our
experience enables us to produce tailored designs for
every construction project.
a

For medium to large-sized projects it is recommended

to carry out on-site trials using different grid spacings
in order to optimise the grid arrangement of the
compaction points. Good compaction results will allow a
high structural loads with foundation pressures up to
800 kN/m to be carried.
Fig. 9: Compaction grid under uniformly
distributed loads

PI 80 11/2011 4
Vibroflotation process (VF)

Work sequence vibroflotation process

1 2 3 4

Fig. 10: Work sequence for the construction of vibroflotation columns (VF)

Step 1: The depth vibrator is positioned over the compaction point. Flushing, using water or air, is commenced and
exits through jets in the nose cone of the vibrator.
Step 2: As a result of the induced vibrations and jetting, the soil is temporarily liquefied enabling the depth vibrator to
penetrate the soil under its own weight.
Step 3: The vibrator has reached the specified depth. Flushing is reduced or stopped. The soil is densified by the
vibrator induced vibrations. Soil densification causes the formation of a crater around the vibrator, which is
backfilled with imported granular material.
Step 4: As the depth vibrator in slowly withdrawn, usually in stages of around 0.3 m, a cylindrical compaction zone
with a diameter of 2,0 to 4,0 m is formed around the vibrator. The achieved degree of compaction is indicated
by an increase in oil pressure. The annulus around the vibrator is continuously backfilled with granular
material.

Suitable backfill materials are:

Silt-free quarry or river gravel, silt-free sand-gravel mixture
Gravel or crushed stone, with grading between 2 and 250 mm
Existing soil taken from the site, with max. silt content of 6 %.

Normal consumption of backfill material can generally be expected to be around 0.4 to 0.8 tonnes per linear metre.

The overall length of the depth vibrator can be adjusted to the specified compaction depths by the addition of extension
tubes. Compaction depths in excess of 50 m have already been achieved by the VF process and completed
successfully.

The flushing medium can either be water taken from rivers or existing groundwater. Both fresh and salt water are
suitable.
In certain ground conditions a combination of water and air flushing has also been successful.

PI 80 11/2011 5
Vibrodisplacement (VD)

In cohesive soils the soil particles cannot be rearranged by vibrational impulses as for vibroflotation. A considerable
increase in bearing capacity can, however, be achieved in these soils by the vibrodisplacement process.
With the vibrodisplacement technique stone columns are
constructed by a BAUER depth vibrator specially adapted and
equipped for this process.
Assisted by air flushing, the vibrator penetrates the soil to the
required depth. The surrounding soil is displaced as a result.
Coarse granular backfill material is delivered directly to the tip
of the vibrator through the material transfer pipe attached to
the front of the vibrator. During withdrawal of the vibrator, the Material storage
container
annulus formed below the tip of the vibrator is immediately
backfilled with the gravel or crushed stone supplied through
the material transfer pipe. By repeated raising and lowering of
the vibrator in steps of around 0.3 to 0.5 m the backfill material
is compacted and displaced laterally and forced into the
surrounding soil. With this technique it is possible to increase Material transfer
pipe
the average stiffness modulus of the soil by a factor of 2 to 3.
Vibrodisplacement stone columns can also facilitate drainage
of layered soil formations. Excess pore water pressures can
be rapidly dissipated through the open grain structure of the
stone columns. This feature offers considerable advantages
Vibrator
particularly in earthquake zones by preventing liquefaction of
the soil during earthquakes. In addition, horizontal vibrations
can be dampened by the relative flexibility of the foundation.

Material transfer
hopper
What occurs inside the soil?
If the silt or clay content in the soil increases to more than
around 8 to 10 %, ground improvement by rearrangement of
the soil particles is no longer possible as the cohesion of the
fines content in the soil binds the soil particles together. In this
Fig. 11: Components of a depth vibrator BAUER
case the vibrator has to create an annulus space that can be
TR 17 S (bottom-feed vibrator for VD)
backfilled with gravel or crushed stone.
The stone columns have a significantly higher shear strength
and stiffness than the surrounding soil. At the same time, the
surrounding soil provides lateral support to the stone columns
and thus creates a composite load-bearing effect.

Strip footing
The foundation concept
It is recommended to place a clean and properly compacted
Vibrodisplacement
load distribution blanket comprising well-graded gravels or a stone column
well-graded sand-gravel mixture between the exposed tops of
the stone columns and the underside of the structural
foundations.
As with vibroflotation, the compaction points under uniformly
distributed loads are generally arranged in the form of
equilateral triangles, whilst under point and line loads
compaction points are arranged more densely.
Vibrodisplacement stone columns are designed according to
Priebe or others. The allowable bearing pressure applicable
for foundation designs after ground improvement by vibro-
displacement ranges generally between 150 and 300 kN/m.

Fig. 12: Arrangement of vibrodisplacement stone

columns under strip and pad footings

PI 80 11/2011 6
 Vibrodisplacement process (VD)

Work sequence vibrodisplacement process

1 2

Fig. 13: Work sequence for the construction of vibrodisplacement (VD) stone columns

Step 1: The bottom-feed vibrator is positioned over the compaction point on the working platform. Material transfer pipe
and material storage container are filled with granular backfill material. Air flushing is activated.

Step 2: Bottom-feed vibrator is lowered to the specified design depth. After reaching the design depth the vibrator is
retracted in steps of around 0.5 m allowing the granular backfill to discharge into the granular space formed by
the vibrator. Repeated penetration and retraction of the vibrator causes the backfill material to be compacted
and displaced laterally and forced into the surrounding soil. This process is repeated until either the hydraulic
pressure of the vibrator has increased to around 270 to 290 bar or the volume of backfill material required for
the column diameter specified for structural design purposes has been placed.

Suitable backfill materials are gravels or crushed

stone with gradings of 8-32 and 16-32 mm,
conditionally also 4-32 mm. Crushed stone can on the
whole be compacted much better than rounded
gravels. Normal consumption of backfill material can
generally be expected to be around 0.6 to 1.0 tonnes
per linear metre of column with a diameter of 0.6 to
0.9 m.

Hard desiccated surface layers or highly compacted

layers of fill may not readily be penetrated by the
bottom-feed vibrator. In this case it is recommended
to loosen the upper stratum carefully with an
excavator.
If necessary, an auger has to be used to pre-bore
through the hard surface layer.

BAUER TR 17 S: auger diameter 550 mm

Fig. 14: "Head" of a vibrodisplacement stone column
BAUER TR 75 S: auger diameter 900 mm

PI 80 11/2011 7
Vibro concrete column (VCC)

Vibro concrete columns have developed from the

vibrodisplacement stone columns and are particularly
suited for soils with an undrained shear strength of
15 kN/m2 and above. Interbedded layers with cu
values ranging between 8 to 15 kN/m are permitted
up to a thickness of 1 m.

The VCC technique is effective and economic in

primarily cohesive and also organic soils with
particularly low bearing capacities. By using high-
quality pumped concrete, the vibro concrete column
has a high internal strength and is largely
independent from the surrounding soils.

Vibro concrete columns (VCC) are classified by DIN

1054 as an unreinforced pile for transferring structural
loads to subsoil at greater depths.

In view of the relatively soft soils, construction of VCC

columns is generally carried out from a compacted
working platform, which should extend to roughly the
same elevation as the proposed foundation level. The
working platform should be at least 300 mm thick and
be separated from the underlying soil by geovlies or a
similar geotextile membrane.

Vibro concrete columns (VCC) have been approved

by the German national technical approvals authority,
Deutsches Institut fr Bautechnik (DIBt), of Berlin.

What occurs inside the soil? Fig. 15: BAUER BF 12 (prior version) during the construction of
During construction of vibro concrete columns the vibro concrete columns (VCC)
surrounding non-load-bearing soil is only marginally
compacted. The induced vibrational energy can,
however, densify and improve the body of soil at and
below the base of the VCC column and thus
substantially increase its bearing capacity. The
resulting highly favourable load-settlement behaviour
can make the VCC process extremely cost-effective.
(see Fig. 18, Page 9)

The foundation concept

Vibro concrete columns are generally arranged in
groups. The shaft diameters of vibro concrete
columns typically range between 40 and 60 cm.
Depending on the prevailing soil conditions, load-
bearing capacities between 400 and 1000 kN are
achieved. VCC columns are generally intended for
carrying vertical loads only. Bending moments can,
however, be absorbed by pairs of columns, whereby
the tensile force resulting from the bending moment
must be exceeded by the vertical load. Small
horizontal loads of up to H/V 3 % can be
accommodated without any specific verification. For
higher horizontal loads VCC columns can also be
reinforced. The reinforcement is inserted into the
fresh concrete immediately after placing the concrete.
Fig. 16: Exposed head of a vibro concrete column VCC)

PI 80 11/2011 8
Vibro concrete column (VCC)

Work sequence vibro concrete

1 2 3

Fig. 17: Work sequence for the construction of vibro concrete columns (VCC)

Step 1: The vibrator is placed over the VCC column position on the working platform. The concrete feeder pipe is filled
with high-strength pumped concrete.
Step 2: The vibrator is lowered to the specified design depth. Concrete is placed via a concrete pump. The base of the
column is compacted and enlarged by repeated penetration and retraction of the vibrator.
Step 3: The shaft of the VCC column is formed in a continuous upward movement of the vibrator and concrete is
placed under a constant pressure.

The construction of VCC columns relies primarily on pumpable concrete in the consistency range of KR to KF and the
strength classification of C20/25. Normal concrete consumption can generally be expected to be around 0,25 m/m.

Load-settlement diagram
(corrected VCC column head settlement)

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

0
Load (kN)

2
Settlement (mm)

4
Load test: column Nr. 1

Fig. 18: Load-settlement diagram of a VCC column

PI 80 11/2011 9
Equipment

Depth vibrator
Tab. 1: Technical specification BAUER depth vibrator

Type of Vibrator TR 17 TR 75
Centrifugal force kN 193 313
Eccentric moment Nm 17 75
Amplitude at tip of vibrator mm 6.0 10.5
Speed / frequency rpm / Hz 0 up to 3.215 / 0 to 53 0 up to 1.950 / 0 to 32
Power output kW 96 224
Overall weight incl. extension tube kg 4.700 (at 18,3 m) 8.700 (at 29 m)
Penetration depth m up to 25.0 up to 45.0
Water flushing m/h ca. 60 ca. 90 - 120
Air flushing m/min ca. 10 ca. 18 - 20

TR 17 TR 75
The horizontal centrifugal forces of the depth vibrator are
170

generated by an hydraulic motor and an eccentric inside

the vibrator section. When deploying depth vibrators in
700

Head section c/w 2" conjunction with customised BAUER base machines, the
R9
155

flushing connection
required hydraulic power can be provided by the base
0

machine itself. If BAUER depth vibrators are deployed

696

7000

on non-customised base machines, the required

hydraulic power must be provided by a separate
hydraulic power pack.
5850

The length of the depth vibrators can be adjusted to suit

Extension tube
the prevailing site conditions by the addition of extension
7000

tubes.
5850

29070

Tab. 2: External power pack for operating the BAUER

18850

depth vibrator TR 75
10000

300
Type of Power Pack HD 460
3000

406
* Depth vibrator TR 75
Isolator Power output kW 260
945

c/w elastic coupling

Hydraulic pressure (max.) bar 330
1200

Oil flow l/min 460

2232

Vibrator section
c/w wear shield,
nose cone and bottom jets
* for TR 17 external power pack on request
3001

320
[115]

580

900

Fig. 19: BAUER TR 17 and TR 75 for VF works, suspended

PI 80 11/2011 10
Equipment

Base machine BF

Tab. 3: Technical specification BAUER BF 12 base machine

Base machine BF 12
Depth vibrator TR 17
Penetration depth max. 12,5 m
Engine power output 205 kW
Crowd force max. 100 kN
Line pull 260 kN
Overall height 19,2 m
Operating weight 58 t
Compressor Atlas Copco XAHS 186
Power output 104 kW
Free air delivery 10,5 m/min
(according to ISO 1217)
Working pressure 12 bar
Vibrodisplacement (VD)
Process
Vibro concrete columns (VCC)

Base machine BG

Tab. 4: Technical specification possible BAUER BGs

Base machine BG 18 - 40
Depth vibrator TR 17 TR 75
Penetration depth max. 11 m 18 m
Engine power output 153 - 433 kW
Crowd force max. 100 110 kN
Line pull 140 460 kN
Overall height 19 27 m
Operating weight 54 142 t
Compressor
Power output* 104 - 186 kW
Free air delivery 10,5 - 20,5 m/min
(according to ISO 1217)
Working pressure 10 - 12 bar
Vibrodisplacement (VD)
Process
Vibro-concrete columns (VCC)
*recommended
compressor power output

PI 80 11/2011 11
Equipment

Base machine MC

Tab. 5: Technical specification MC 32 base machine

Base Machine MC 32
Depth vibrator TR 17
Penetration depth max. 16 m
At boom length 22 m
Engine power output 201 kW
Line pull see load chart*
Operating weight approx. 52 t
Jetting pump
Flow rate approx. (800 1.200 l/min)
Operating pressure approx. (7,5 - 20 bar)
Process Vibroflotation (VF)

Tab. 6: Technical specification MC 64 base machine

Base Machine MC 64
Depth vibrator TR 75
Penetration depth max. 27 m
At boom length 33 m
Engine power output 455 kW
Line pull see load chart**
Operating weight approx. 95 t
Jetting pump
Flow rate approx. (800 1.200 l/min)
Operating pressure approx. (7,5 - 20 bar)
Process Vibroflotation (VF)

Tab. 7: Technical specification MC 64 base machine with BL 35

Base Machine MC 64 with BL 35

Depth vibrator TR 75
Penetration depth max. 25 m
Engine power output 455 kW
Crowd force max. 100 kN
Line pull 500 kN
Overall height 34,2 m
Operating weight approx. 135 t
e.g. Atlas Copco XH AS
Compressor
347
Power output
186 kW
Free air deliver
20,5 m/min
(according to ISO 1217)
Working pressure
12 bar
Vibrodisplacement (VD)
Process
Vibro concrete columns
(VCC)

* see MC 32 Data Sheet ** see MC 64 Data Sheet

PI 80 11/2011 12
Auxiliary plant and equipment

Recommended auxiliary plant and equipment for ensuring the most efficient site operation:

Vibroflotation (VF)
Wheeled loader, bucket capacity in excess of 2 to 3 m
Jetting pump for water flushing, flow rate approx. 50 to 90 m/h
Hoses for water supply c/w valve for volume control

Vibrodisplacement (VD)
Wheeled loader with side-tipping bucket, bucket capacity approx. 0.8 to 1.0 m (see Figure 20)

Vibro concrete columns (VCC)

Concrete pump with boom from 32 to 36 m
Excavator for removal of spoil and excess concrete, and also for installing reinforcement cages

Fig. 20: Wheeled loader with side-tipping bucket

PI 80 11/2011 13
Quality assurance

B-Tronic and B-Report

All process-specific production data are monitored and displayed on the B-Tronic monitor inside the operator cab for
quality assurance purposes, see Figure 21. Electronic data acquisition of all relevant production data for documentation
purposes is also carried out by the B-Tronic system

Relevant production para-

meters generally include Pre-determined production
data
Production time
Depth attained below wor-
Machine
king platform taking into
operating
account any empty bore
data 9,50 m 80 % 0,00 m
Time & speed per com-
paction stage (VF and VD)
Concrete pressure (VCC)

Energy consumption (hy-

draulic pressure) of depth 1,253 m Compaction 0
vibrator
Mast
In addition to the electronic data
0,0 2
acquisition, the consumption of
backfill material should also be
monitored and recorded by way
0,0
of the delivery tickets.
The stored data can be down-
loaded onto a storage device
or transferred by radio trans- Machine operating status Column-specific
mission. With the software B- messages data
Report the stored data can
Fig. 21: B-Tronic operations monitor
subsequently be processed and
evaluated.
A separate production report
can be produced for each
column or compaction point.
The data recorded in the
production reports can be
presented over both depth of
penetration and time. Progress
throughout the compaction
process during vibroflotation
(VF) is monitored and controlled
via the hydraulic pressure of the
depth vibrator.
The hydraulic pressure of the
depth vibrator increases with
the progressive increase in the
degree of compaction.
The compaction of a soil
formation is completed only
after a specific pre-determined
hydraulic pressure has been
reached. Fig. 22: B-Report presentation of data in time-related diagrammes

For vibrodisplacement the volume of backfill material placed can be used as a measure for adequate ground
improvement having been achieved or alternatively the hydraulic pressure of the vibrator similar to the
vibrodisplacement process.

PI 80 11/2011 14
Quality assurance

Quality Control

After ground improvement by vibroflotation and vibrodisplacement the relative densities of the improved ground can be
determined either by dynamic or static cone penetrometer tests or by plate bearing tests. The load-bearing capacity of
vibro concrete columns (VCC) is generally verified by load tests on individual columns.

n10
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

1.40
-3.0
-4.0
Rammsondierung
Dynamic probing
DPH
-6.0 DIN 4094
50 kg
kp
50 cm
-8.0 15 cm 2

-10.0

Tiefe in m
-12.0

-14.0
165
nach der
320
Verdichtung
vor der REF.
-16.0

Verdichtungsraster
Compression grid Korngrenverteilung
Grain-size distribution
Abst. in m in mm

% Sand Kies
100

1.60
Fig. 23: Test arrangement for a vibro concrete column (VCC)
50

1.60
Fig. 24: 0
Dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) 1.80 1.80
0.06 2 60

test results before and after vibroflotation

Fig. 25: Production report of a vibrodisplacement (VD) Fig. 26: Production report of a vibrodisplacement (VD) column,
column, depth related presentation time related presentation

PI 80 11/2011 15
 BAUER Maschinen GmbH
BAUER-Strae 1
D-86529 Schrobenhausen
Tel. +49 (0)8252/97-0
Fax +49 (0)8252/97-1135
e-mail: BMA@bauer.de
www.bauer.de

Design developments and process improvements may require the

specification and materials to be updated and changed without
prior notice or liability. Illustrations may include optional equipment
and not show all possible configurations.
These and the technical data are provided as indicative information
only, with any errors and misprints reserved.

PI 80 11/2011