Dynamic Compaction

A ground improvement process for compacting and strengthening loose or soft soils by the systematic dropping of heavy weights, on the ground surface, to densify soils at depth. This requires controlled dropping of heavy steel tampers in a predetermined grid pattern. Resulting craters are backfilled with suitable fill material and tamping continued until the required level of improvement is achieved.

Improvement can be conducted on most soil types, including silts and clays. However, the most commonly treated soils are old fills and low-density granular soils.

Depth of improvement is proportional to the energy per drop, and degree of improvement is dependent on total applied energy.

Empirical correlations based on soil type and total applied energy are available and are used in selecting the appropriate amount of energy for the end product desired.