GROUND IMPROVEMENT Geomechanical Foundations

Vibro Displacement Stone Columns

Geomechanical Foundations is a specialist ground improvement, piling and Typical top feed

foundation contractor offering a wide range of expertise and experience,

making it possible to provide our clients with cost-effective tailored solutions to
founding problems.

Vibro displacement stone columns are a technically accepted and economic

method of enhancing fill material and weak soils to improve their load bearing
and settlement characteristics.

The construction process involves introducing a vibrating poker or driving a

vibrating mandrill to penetrate to a designed depth, and filling the resulting
cavity with layers of inert stone or recycled material in accordance with ICE
specifications. The vibrator is reintroduced to the cavity, forcing each layer of
stone into the surrounding ground creating confining pressure and densified
columns of support. In granular material this densification creates an
improvement in settlement control and bearing capacity. In cohesive materials
Vibratory poker capable of constructing
the overall effect is one of reinforcement and settlement control. stone columns of up to 4.0 metres in depth
Vibro Displacement
Stone Columns
GROUND IMPROVEMENT

1 2 3 4
Vibrator penetrates The vibrator is withdrawn Vibrator is reintroduced, the Successive charges and
weak soils. and a charge of stone or stone is compacted to form compacting of stone
recycled material is an interlocking matrix significantly improve the
placed in to the hole. between the stone columns load bearing and
and the surrounding settlement characteristics
confining soils. of the ground.

The stone column layout can be arranged to suit varying combinations of load,
soil type and settlement requirement. This forms a raft of stiffened material
creating an integrated foundation support. Typically column spacings range
between 1.0 metre and 2.5 metres under load bearing foundations and up to
3.0 metres beneath floor slabs.

GeMech will design and construct the entire building platform utilising a variety
of ground improvement solutions ranging from vibro displacement stone
columns, dynamic compaction (and consolidation), soil recycling and
stabilisation, bored or driven piles, reinforced concrete ground beams,
suspended concrete floors, ground bearing floors, blockwork up to DPC and
drainage within the footprint of the building.

Why take the chance. Insist upon a GeMech building platform at a quality and
price you will find hard to beat.
Geomechanical Foundations
Bristol Freephone 0800 389 8515
This data sheet is for general information purposes only and shall not form part of any specification, offer or contract.
London Freephone 0800 169 2100 In keeping with our policy of continuous development we reserve the right to amend this document without prior notice.

www.gemech.co.uk
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Geomechanical Foundations Limited.