VIBROFLOTATION

The main goal of most soil improvement techniques used for reducing liquefaction hazards is to avoid large increases in pore water pressure during earthquake shaking. This can be achieved by densification of the soil and/or improvement of its drainage capacity. Vibroflotation involves the use of a vibrating probe that can penetrate granular soil to depths of over 100 feet. The vibrations of the probe cause the grain structure to collapse thereby densifying the soil surrounding the probe. To treat an area of potentially liquefiable soil, the vibroflot is raised and lowered in a grid pattern. Vibro Replacement (right, HB) is a combination of vibroflotation with a gravel backfill resulting in stone columns, which not only increases the amount of densificton, but provides a degree of reinforcement and a potentially effective means of drainageThis method was invented in Germany almost 60 years ago, and its development has continued mainly there and in North America, where it was introduced in the 1940's. The equipment consists of three main parts: the vibrator, extension tubes and a supporting crane, Vibroflotation is the most widely used deep compaction equipment and extensive experience has been accumulated over the past 20 years. The vibrator is incorporated in the lower end of a steel probe. The vibrator rotates around the vertical axis to generate horizontal vibration amplitude. Vibrator diameters are in the range of 350 to 450 mm and the length is about 3 - 5 m, including a special flexible coupling, which connects the vibrator with the extension tube. Units developing centrifugal forces up to 160 kN and variable vibration amplitudes up to 25 mm are available. Most usual vibroflot probes are operating at frequencies between 30 and 50 Hz. The extension tubes have a slightly smaller diameter than the vibrator and a length dependent on the depth of required penetration. The vibroflot is slowly lowered to the bottom of the soil layer and then gradually withdrawn in 0.5-1.0 m stages. The length of time spent at each compaction level depends on the soil type and the required degree of compaction. Generally, the finer the soil, the longer the time required achieving the same degree of compaction. In order to facilitate penetration and withdrawal of the equipment, water jetting is utilised with a water pressure of up to 0.8 MPa and flow rates of up to 3000 l/min. The water jetting transports the fine soil particles to the ground surface and by replacing the fines with coarse material, well-compacted soil columns are obtained.

VIBROFLOTATION

VIBROFLOTATION