CASE STUDY

1. Geotechnical evaluation and assessment of data from Becker Penetration Testing (BPT), Cone
Penetration Testing (CPT), Dynamic Cone Penetration Testing (DCPT) and solid stem auger drilling
indicated liquefaction susceptible soils at the location of a proposed fire hall and office building
complex. Ground improvement works were required to satisfy building performance criteria in the
event of a design seismic event. Several ground improvement methods were evaluated and the Rapid
Impact Compaction (RIC) method was selected based upon the specific site requirements. The
influence depth of RIC is typically around 5 to 6 m (16 to 20 ft) although this is depending on several
issues such as soil type, degree of saturation, soil stiffness and other factors. A RIC pilot program was
carried out to assess the specifications for the RIC method to achieve the required ground
improvement. Based upon the presence of significant amounts of more granular material (e.g. gravel
sized sediments), the BPT was selected as the in-situ evaluative tool. The quality control BPT program
carried out after completion of the RIC pilot program indicated that the RIC method could meet the
requirement for ground improvement with influence depth extending to almost 9 m (30 ft). Based on
the results of the RIC pilot program, the RIC method was used within the entire building footprint. The
successful results of the RIC method within the proposed building footprint were confirmed by an
additional quality control BPT program.
(Henrik KRISTIANSEN,2004)
FILA TABLE

Facts Ideas Learning Issues Actions

1. The site investigation 1. Three stages was use which 1.
program was carried out is Becker Penetration
in several stages using Testing (BPT), Cone
different equipment as Penetration Testing (CPT),
deemed suitable as the Dynamic Cone Penetration
program progressed. Testing (DCPT) 2.
2. A Several ground 2. Vibroflotation, The Dynamic
improvement methods Compaction, The third 3.
were evaluated to ground improvement method
eliminate the considered was Rapid
susceptibility of Impact Compaction (RIC) 4.
liquefiable soils.
What are the key/ important 1. Find information through
parameters that need to be books, journal papers,
check in order to improve conference papers and
the soil performance using websites.
RIC. 2. Analyse the problems
How many test has been use based on the site and
to improve performance? condition
Which of the ground 3. Assume and estimate the
improvement method is cost
considered? 4. Suggest numbers of
Why Rapid Impact solutions
Compaction is Considered? 5. Solve by the best way
6. Report your solution
7. Present by group members
Introduction

Road construction is not just building a road. It is the preparation of a complete environment for building and
living, above as well as underground. Without a proper foundation you cannot build a solid road. The type of
foundation depends on the soil type. There are six main soil types which is Clay, Sandy, Silty, Peaty, Chalky,
Loamy. There is problem when constructing the road on the moist soil cause it tends to submerged due to high
force apply to it and it will effected the road. The objectives of this study is about the best ground improvement
can be used and Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) to improve the soil.

Based on soil condition, Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) was adopted to treat the loose granular soils
at the subject site by compacting the ground with 7 ton ram, 35 blows/min and drop height of 0.8 m. The soil
improvement was assessed by comparing the cone tip resistance of pre-treatment and post treatment CPT
soundings. An interpretation of soil properties from CPT was made using interpretation software (CPeT-IT)
based on Lunne et al. (1997) to assess the degree and depth of improvement achieved. Pre-treatment and post
treatment cone tip resistance were obtained according to the plan as follows:

1. The construction site was divided into (10.00 × 10.00 m) area to carry out the soil compaction by RIC.

2. Pre-treatment CPT is to be conducted at the centre of each area. The results of the pre-treatment tests shall be
used as the basis to determine the degree of improvement achieved.

3. To carry out the RIC work as specified and all parameters should be recorded including, energy applied,
spacing and grid of the compaction points, number of passes required to achieve the specified improvement and
average enforced settlement. Three Test areas where treated with application of different energy to assess the
degree of improvement achieved.

4. To carry out post treatment field testing at the centre of the treated area to establish the range of improvement
achieved.

5. Based on the pre-treatment and post treatment CPT soundings, the proper parameters of the energy applied to
achieve the required improvement in terms of number of blows and drop height are decided based on the ground
response to compaction and degree of improvement in soil properties.

6. Vibration monitoring was conducted to establish the range of vibrations created by the equipment and their
effect on the adjacent structures. Ground vibrations from RIC machine and Train crossing were monitored on
the ground surface at various distances from the railway track in terms of peak particle velocities (PPV) to
compare the effect of the RIC machine vibrations on the existing railway track at the treated site.

Measurements made before and after treatment provides an indication of the effectiveness of the
treatment in improving properties and the depth to which improvement has been achieved. CPT measurements
are correlated with density index and hence used to characterize how much improvement is attained by the soil
in terms of shear strength, compressibility and settlement.