Compaction of dune sand backfill by concrete shaft vibrators

S. IDRISMIRZA l
Technical Services Manager, Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company, King Fahd International Airport Project,
P.O. Box 3477, Dammam 31471, Saudi Arabia
Received June 10, 1991
Accepted December 13, 1991

Backfilling is a time-consuming operation at any construction project. Because of construction constraints and to
minimize excavation and backfilling costs, utility trenches are made as narrow as practicable, which precludes the use
of large compactors. The backfill is therefore placed in thin layers and compacted with hand compactors, making backfill-
ing a slow operation. This paper presents the details of development of a fast, effective, and reliable backfill compaction
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procedure. This method is based on the concept that the sand being a cohesionless material can be easily densified
under its own weight by mere vibrations if the intergranular friction between the sand particles is reduced. The method
allows placement of saturated dune sand backfill in lifts up to 1 m in thickness, and the compaction is achieved by
vibrating the mass by inserting concrete shaft vibrators on a regular grid pattern. The results and analysis of numerous
laboratory experiments and 13 full-scale field test trials which form the basis of this compaction technique are also
included in this paper.
Key words: backfilling, dune sand, intergranular friction, vibrations, concrete shaft vibrators.

Le remblayage est une opCration qui prend du temps sur n'importe quel projet. A cause des contraintes de la con-
struction et pour minimiser les coilts d'excavation et de remblayage, les tranchCes de services sont excavCes aussi Ctroites
que possible ce qui empCche l'utilisation de gros appareils de compactage. Le matkriau de remblayage est alors place
en minces couches et compacte avec des appareils de compactage manuels, faisant du remblayage une operation lente.
Cet article prCsente les dCtails du dCveloppement d'une procedure de compactage rapide, efficace et fiable. Cette mCthode
est basCe sur le concept que le sable Ctant un matCriau pulverulent, peut facilement Ctre densifiC sous son propre poids
par simples vibrations si le frottement inter-granulaire entre les particules de sable est rCduit. La mCthode permet la
mise en place de remblayage de sable de dune saturC en couches allant a 1 m d'kpaisseur, et le compactage est rialis6
For personal use only.

en soumettant la masse a une vibration par l'insertion d'un vibrateur de puits de bCton selon un schCma rCgulier de
grille. Les rksultats et l'analyse de nombreuses expiriences en laboratoire, et treize essais a grande Cchelle sur le terrain
sont prCsentCs dans cet article, et forment la base de cette technique de compactage.
Mots clgs : remplissage, sable de dune, frottement inter-granulaire, frottement, vibrations, puits de biton, vibrateurs.
[Traduit par la redaction]

Can. Geotech. J. 29, 315-321 (1992)

1. Introduction 2. Need for a fast and effective backfill compaction

Backfill placement is generally a time-consuming opera-
tion on any construction project. To minimize excavation
and backfill costs, service trenches and foundation excava-
tions are generally made as narrow as practicable. Therefore,
only hand compactors can normally be used to compact the
backfill. Since hand compactors cannot effectively compact
thick soil layers, the backfill is placed and compacted in lifts
up to 10-15 cm in thickness, which makes backfilling a slow
process.
Backfill placement was one of the major works during
the construction of the King Fahd International Airport
(KFIA) project in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
The project required excavation and backfilling of hundreds
of utility trenches, manholes, and structure foundations,
amounting to over one million cubic metres of compacted
backfill.
The project earthwork specificationstypically required all
backfill to be placed in layers not exceeding 10 cm in loose
thickness, compacted to at least 95% of the maximum
density in areas with buildings and pavements and to at least
90% density in other areas, and tested for compliance.
'present address: Enka-Bechtel (Joint venture), P.K.
68 Kucukesat, Ankara, Turkey.
Printed in Canada / lmprimC au Canada
method
It was recognized that if the specified procedure was
followed the backfilling process would be very slow and the
completion of utility and foundation works would be sig-
nificantly delayed. For example, it would take about 3 days
to place, compact, and test the backfill in a typical excava-
tion about 100 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m deep which
required a minimum of 95% compaction. On the other
hand, if the backfilling was accelerated by using thicker than
the specified layers the quality of compaction could suffer.
A poorly compacted backfill is likely to consolidate further
under load and can cause distress to the overlying structures.
Such distresses had occurred on a previous project in Saudi
Arabia, requiring extensive remedial works.
Since the project was divided into various subcontracts,
timely excavation and backfilling in areas where several
subcontracts were interfaced was quite critical to the con-
struction schedule. Therefore, for expediting the backfilling
operation, the best alternative was to place backfill in thick
layers, e.g., up to 1 m lifts, and to develop a method that
would effectively compact these thick layers to the specified
densities.
3. Development of compaction method
Because of its abundance and the shortage of other
suitable soils, dune sand was the predominant backfill
 316 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 29,
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OUTLETS
FIG. 1. Large steel tank used to simulate a trench.
material at the KFIA project. Some physical properties of
dune sand are provided in Fig. 2.
Flooding and water-jetting methods have been used on
For personal use only.
other projects to densify sand and clay backfill (American
Society of Civil Engineers 1968; Sheta 1977; Meo 1979; and
Laba 1983), but these methods were not successful at KFIA
in compacting dune sand to the required densities. There-
fore, other methods had to be devised.
It is widely accepted that a cohesionless soil densifies
under its own weight by vibrations only if its intergranular
friction is minimized. Dune sand, being a cohesionless
material, falls in this category of soil. A simple way to
vibrate dune sand in the field is by using concrete shaft
vibrators, a process similar to consolidating cement concrete.
The intergranular friction in dune sand can be easily reduced
by saturating it with water.
A study was therefore conducted in the KFIA laboratory
to evaluate the effectiveness of concrete shaft vibrators in
densifying saturated dune sand.
3.1. Excavation and backfill model
3.1.1. Excavation (trench)
A trench was simulated in the laboratory by a steel tank,
approximately 2 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m deep, with
outside bracings to keep it from bulging under the lateral
pressure of the sand backfill. The tank had outlets on one
side of its base to provide drainage, as shown in Fig. 1.
3.1.2. Backfill material
The backfill material was dune sand with grain-size range
shown in Fig. 2.
Prior to backfilling, the natural moisture content, satura-
tion moisture content, gradation, and maximum dry density
of the sand were determined. The maximum dry density was
determined by the vibratory table method (ASTM 1983).
These properties of dune sand are given in Fig. 2.
3.1.3. Backfilling operation
The inside of the tank walls was marked at heights of 30,
45,55, and 100 cm to represent various lift thicknesses. The
1992
volume of the tank up to esich lift thickness was determined
by filling it with measured quantities of water.
Free-draining sand wrapped in a filter cloth was placed
inside the tank around the outlets to provide drainage from
the tank without loosing any backfill material.
The tank was filled with dune sand up to various lift marks
using a 50 kg bucket. The weight of sand in each bucket
load was measured to determine the total weight of sand
required to fill the tank to a particular lift mark, along with
its initial unit weight and degree of compaction.
After backfilling, the surface of the sand was gently
levelled with a wooden trowel without causing any
densification.
3.2. Compaction with concrete shaft vibrator
The sand was saturated from the surface by using a mea-
sured quantity of water that was about 14% of the dry
weight of the sand. No efforts were made to verify whether
the sand became saturated throughout its entire mass.
The sand was then vibrated using a concrete shaft vibrator
(Wacker, IREK 05Y), 3.8 cm in diameter, 53 cm in length,
and with a fixed frequency of 200 Hz. The vibrator had a
metal strip spiralled around the connecting hose to keep it
from flexing. The vibrator was inserted vertically into the
sand almost to the bottom using a grid pattern of approx-
imately 50 x 50 cm, thereby establishing eight vibration
points for each lift. For 30 cm lifts, a vibration period of
25 s was used at each grid point because no further settle-
ment in the backfill surface was discernible after this period.
Vibration periods of 35 and 45 s were established for 45 and
55 cm lifts, respectively, based on increase in time propor-
tionate to approximate volumetric ratios of these lifts with
30 cm lift. A vibration period of 60 s was arbitrarily selected
for 100 cm lifts. Excess water was allowed to escape through
the bottom outlets during the vibration process.
After completion of the vibration process, sand cone den-
sity tests (ASTM 1985) were performed in the densified
backfill at various depths.
The above experiment was repeated three times for each
lift thickness, requiring a total of 12 experiments and 30 sand
cone density tests. The test results are presented in Table 1.
3.3. Observation and analysis
The concrete vibrator generally penetrated the backfill
under its own influence, without any significant pushing.
During vibrations small surface depressions were formed
around the vibrator which were mostly filled up by the sand
moving in from the vicinity of these depressions when the
vibrator worked at an adjacent point. During this process
the sand surface continually settled. The average settlements
(Table 1) indicated that the sand has significantly densified
in each case.
The sand cone density results were compared with the
maximum dry density (ASTM 1983) of dune sand to deter-
mine the compaction achieved. As indicated in Table 1, the
average compaction achieved in 30,45, and 55 cm thick lifts
ranged from 95 to 101%, whereas in 100 cm lifts it was 93%.
It was considered possible to improve the compaction level
in 100-cm lifts by increasing the vibration period. Therefore,
three additional experiments were conducted with 100 cm
thick lifts. In these, a vibration ~ e r i o dof 90 s was selected
based on the same criterion as uied for 45 and 55 cm lifts.
As explained earlier, sand cone density tests were per-
formed in the densified backfill at various depths to deter-
 MIRZA 317

G R A V E L SIZES S A N D SIZES I
5117 SIZES
COARSE 1 FINE (COARSE ( MEDIUM I FlHL
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D I A M E T E R IN M l L L l M E T R E S

FIG. 2. Grain-size distribution of KFIA dune sand. Maximum dry density (ASTM 1983) = 1.91 g/cm3; natural moisture content =
0.4-1.8%; saturation moisture content = 14.0%. 1 in. = 25.4 mm.

mine the comaaction achieved. The average compaction in
each case was over 95%, as indicated in- able 2 .
Based on the compaction time required in the laboratory,
it was estimated that a tv~ical100 m long. 1 m wide. and
1 m deea trench could be backfilled and-bompactedswith
concret; shaft vibrators to over 90% compactfon in about
8 h and to over 95% compaction in about 12 h. In compar-
ison, the s~ecifiedbackfill ~rocedurewould have reauired
2 and 3 days,- - respectively.'
- because of the rather larger surfice area and relatively leis
4. Field trials
Encouraged with the laboratory test results and to
evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of this compaction
technique in the field, a program of field trials was initiated.
For this purpose, 13 locations were selected at the project
site, including excavations for sewer, drainage, and electrical
lines and manholes.
4.1. Backfilling and initial saturation
At each location the excavation walls were marked at a
desired height above the bottom up to a maximum of 1.0 m.
Dune sand was dumped in the excavation with a bucket
loader to the marked height. The natural moisture content
of dune sand was determined, which ranged from 0.4 to
1.8%. The backfill surface was manually levelled with
shovels, and then it was saturated with water using a hose
connected to a water tanker.
4.2. Compaction
The backfill was vibrated using two concrete shaft
vibrators (Wacker, IREK 1, 3Y), each 6.4 cm in diameter
and with a fixed frequency of 200 Hz. In some trials more
than two vibrators were used to save time.
At the start of trial 1, the vibrator spacing was kept at
50 cm and the vibration ueriod at each point was 90 s, in
line with the laborator;- experiment
- with 100 cm lifts.
Although the 50 cm spacing was found to be adequate in
the laboratory, it was fealized that to achieve the equivalent
comaaction in the field a closer spacing would be necessary
lateral confinement. ~ e i c ein, all other trials, the vibrator
spacing was arbitrarily reduced to 30 cm, and the vibration
period at each point was proportionately shortened to about
35-40 s, based upon approximate ratio of volumes of sand
within 50 and 30 cm grids.
The vibrator was gently pushed to the bottom of the
backfill and then was slowly worked up and down a couple
of times. During vibrations, a hollow space about 10 cm in
diameter and several centimetres in depth was formed
around the vibrator which was filled with sand from the
surrounding area by splashing the water around the vibrator.
A detailed account of time required in placement, satura-
tion, and compaction of the backfill was maintained for each
trial. A reasonably good estimate was also made of the
amount of water used during the saturation and compaction
operations by measuring the water levels in the water tankers
before and after each field trial. These data are summarized
in Table 3.
4.3. Determination of compaction achieved
After compaction, sand cone density tests were performed
 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 29, 1992

TABLE1. Results of compaction by concrete shaft vibrator

%
'

Yo compaction
achieved by
concrete vibrator
Vibration Initial Average
Lift period at density surface Test depth (cmlb
thickness each point Experiment (% of ASTM settlement
(cm) 6) No. D2049)" (cm) 0 7.5 Avg.
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Test depth (cm)

5 10 Avg.

Test depth (cm)

5 13 30 Avg.

Test depth (cm)

For personal use only.

25 50 71 Avg.
100 60 1 87 7.9 94 90 96 93
2 88 7.6 92 92 96 93
3 88 7.6 94 92 92 93
'See ASTM 1983.
b ~ i n c ethe depth of test holes was 16 cm, the average test depth = test depth + 8 cm.

TABLE
2. Compaction results in 100 cm lifts
in the backfill at various levels to determine the compaction
achieved. The test results are summarized in Table 4. 070 Compaction achieved
The laboratory tests revealed that when dune sand is
dumped in excavations without any compaction, its average '70 density Surface Test depth (cm)
density is about 88% of the maximum. Using this average Expt. prior to settlement
No. vibrations (cm) 0 50 70 Avg.
uncompacted density and the average surface settlement
caused by vibrations, the theoretical compaction was com-
puted for each trial and is included in Table 4.
4.4. Analysis of test results
As evident in Table 4, the frequency of density testing in
most field trials was generally much greater than is normally that a 100 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m deep excavation can
used on construction projects. The purpose of this intensive be backfilled and compacted to over 95% density in about
density testing was to ensure that the vibration process did 13 h by using a single concrete vibrator. The compaction
not result in random pockets of uncompacted material. time can be reduced proportionately by simultaneously using
The test results indicated that the average compaction in more than one vibrator. The time required to achieve 90%
all trials was 95% or more. Some of the individual tests compaction will naturally be much less than that of the 95%
indicated over 100% compaction. The theoretical compac- compaction.
tion computed from surface settlement exceeded 95% in all The following observations were made from the field trial
measured cases, and this correlated well with the correspond- data.
ing compaction determined from the density tests.
The compaction operation data (Table 3) indicated that Lift Specified Vibrator Vibration time Water
the above compaction was achieved in the following average thickness minimum spacing at each point requirement
time period: placement and initial saturation time = (cm) compaction (Yo) (cm) (s) (~/m~)
1.1 min/m3 of backfill; and vibration time = 6.8 min/m3 100 95 30 35 136
of backfill. Based on these average times, it was estimated
 MIRZA

TABLE3. Field placement and compaction operation data ,

Time taken to
place and Time taken
Vibrator saturate sand to vibrate
(min) sand (min)
Field Water Number
trial Depth Volume used Spacing used For 1 m3 per
No. (m) (m3) (gal/m3) (cm) (avg.) Total 1 m3 Total vibrator
1 1.O 36 148 30-50 2.5 45 1.3 105 7.3
2 1.O 50 150 30 2 60 1.2 180 7.2
3 0.65 110 132 30 2 155 1.4 330 6.0
4 1.O 70 159 30 2 80 1.1 275 7.9
nd nd nd
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5 0.8 95 nd nd nd nd
6 1.O 70 132 30 2 75 1.1 205 5.9
7 0.8 351 110 30 4 350 1.O 595 6.8
8 1.O 45 144 30 2 50 1.1 135 6.0
9 1.O 345 114 30 4 275 0.8 720 8.3
10 1.O 60 nd 30 3 65 1.1 110 5.5
11 0.95 80 125 30 2 80 1.O 210 5.2
12 0.8 120 nd 30 3.5 155 1.3 305 8.9
13 0.9 44 150 25-30 3 40 0.9 105 7.2
Avg . 136 1.1 6.8
NOTE:nd, not determined; 1 gal. = 3.785 412 dm3.

TABLE4. Field compaction test results

FDT performeda
Backfill Average % compaction
For personal use only.

Field surface Theoretical Depth achieved

trial Depth Vol. settlement compaction range Frequency
No. (m) (m3) (cm) (Yo) n (cm) ( m 3 / ~ ~Range
~ ) Avg.
1 1.0 36 8.0 96 10 25-70 4
2 1.0 50 8.4 96 11 0-76 5
3 0.65 110 8.5 99 10 10-45 11
4 1.0 70 8.8 97 10 10-80 7
5 0.8 95 nd nd 11 10-60 9
6 1.0 70 10.0 98 14 10-60 5
7 0.8 351 nd nd 10 10-65 35
8 1.0 45 8.1 96 9 10-60 5
9 1.0 345 nd nd 11 10-80 31
10 1.0 60 10.8 99 6 10-60 10
11 0.95 80 7.8 96 9 10-70 9
12 0.8 120 7.0 96 7 20-60 17
13 0.9 44 nd nd 10 10-65 4
NOTE: nd, not determined.
T D T , field density test (ASTM 1985).

5. Method of dune sand backfill compaction by
concrete shaft vibrators
The overwhelming conclusion based on the results of
laboratory experiments and field trials is that the dune sand
in lifts up to 1 m in thickness can be effectively compacted
with concrete shaft vibrators to over 95% density in a
relatively short time. This method was therefore formalized
and included in the project earthwork specifications as a
feasible alternative.
The basic steps of this method are shown in Fig. 3 and
are summarized here. (A) Install the service pipe in the trench
on a properly compacted bedding material. (This step is not
required in excavation for building foundation.) (B) Dump
dune sand at natural moisture content in the trench (excava-
tion) to the desired thickness (up to 1 m maximum) using
a bucket loader. (C) Level the backfill with hand shovels.
(D) Saturate the backfill from the surface. Approximate
water requirement may range from 130 to 150 ~ / of m ~
sand, depending upon natural moisture content of sand.
(E) Insert concrete shaft vibrator (6.4 cm diameter) into the
backfill, working it slowly to the bottom. Fill the holes
formed around the vibrators with dune sand by splashing
water around the vibrators. Keep the vibrtor tip at least
10 cm away from the pipes. (F) For 95% minimum com-
paction, use vibrator spacing of 30 cm and vibration period
of 35 s at each point. For 90% minimum compaction,
vibrator spacing can be increased to 35 cm and vibration
time reduced to 20 s. This is based on the experience on this
project that the efforts required to achieve 95% compaction
in dune sand by other compaction methods is about 2.5 times
 CAN. GEOTECH. J. VOL. 29, 1992

BACKFILL SURFACE
f L E ~ L Y O W,sHOV.L
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STEP A STEP B STEP C

INSTALLATION OF D U M P 0ACKF:t.L L L V E L SURFACE
B E D D I N G A N D PIPE WITH ?RONT-EN0 LOADER WITH SHOVELS

T O W A T E R SUPPLY
WATER ( W A T E R TANKER)

CONCRETE SHAFT
VIBRATOR

BACKFILL SURFACE
DURING A N 0 AFTER
COMPACTION
For personal use only.

...................
...................
...................
...................
....................
..................
STEP D
SATURATION O?
BACKFILL
...................
...................
...................
...................
...................
...................
STEP E
COMPACTION WITH
CONCRETE SHAFT VIBRATOR

BACKFILL

B L D O I N O 1 STEP F
VII3RATOU SPACINO A N 0 T R E N C H L O N C I T U D N A L SECTION

FIG. 3. Compaction of dune sand backfill using concrete shaft vibrators.

that required to achieve 90% compaction. For lift thickness
less than 1 m, the vibration time can be proportionately
reduced in each case.
Field density tests should be performed to verify the
compaction achieved at various depths.
6. Use of this method at KFIA project
This method was extensively used by all major subcon-
tractors at the KFIA project for placement of backfill in
utility trenches, behind retaining walls and utility way
structure, and around manholes and structure foundations
 MIRZA
without any problem and to the requirements of the project
standards.
Some of the subcontractors improved the process by
mixing sand with water in a mechanical mixing unit at
saturation water content (about 14%). This provided a
continuous feed of saturated dune sand and accelerated the
process of backfilling, especially in the case of long and deep
excavations.
The major excavation and backfilling work at KFIA
started in early 1985 and was successfully completed at the
end of 1988. Since then most of the backfilled areas have
been covered with pavements, parking areas, and structures.
Some of the utility lines have been in operation for over
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2 years. The project has also experienced several rainy
seasons. However, no evidence of surface subsidence or any
other distress has been recorded in the backfilled areas.
7. Conclusions
Dune sand can be effectively compacted in lifts up to 1 m
in thickness with concrete shaft vibrators and without using
any other mechanical compactor.
By selecting the appropriate type, size, spacing, and num-
bers of concrete vibrators and saturating the dune sand with
water, the backfill operation can be significantly accelerated.
The concrete shaft vibrator technique is reliable and fast
and has provided excellent results at the KFIA project. This
technique is especially suitable for compacting sand backfill
For personal use only.
in narrow and deep spaces where no mechanical compactor
can be effectively used.
321
This method has the potential for use on other projects
where cohesionless sandy material is to beysed as backfill.
8. Acknowledgements
The author gratefully acknowledges the kind permission
of His Excellency, Said Y. Arnin, Vice President, Civil Avia-
tion, and Director, International Airports Projects (IAP),
Ministry of Defence, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to publish
this paper. Acknowledgement is also due to the officials of
the IAP and Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company for the
encouragement and support provided throughout the devel-
opment of this method.
American Society of Civil Engineers. 1968. Final report of the
Committee on Backfilling in Public Rights-of-way. American
Society of Civil Engineers, St. Louis section, St. Louis, Mo.
ASTM. 1983. Standard test method for relative density of cohesion-
less soils (ASTM D2049). In 1983 Annual Book of ASTM Stan-
dards, sect. 4, vol. 04.08. ASTM, Philadelphia. pp. 325-333.
ASTM. 1985. Standard test method for density of soil in place by
the sand-cone method (ASTM D1556). In 1985 Annual Book
of ASTM Standards, sect. 4, vol. 04.08. ASTM, Philadelphia.
pp. 275-28 1.
Laba, J.T. 1983. Cohesive soil compaction by water jetting.
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 20: 394-405.
Meo, R. 1979. Water jetting-a comprehensive examination of this
method of compaction for cohesive trench backfill. M.A. Sc.
thesis, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont.
Sheta, M.A. 1977. Water jetting as a method of compacting native
trench backfill. M.A. Sc. thesis, University of Windsor, Windsor,
Ont.