Dynamic Compaction – Insights from Laboratory Tests

Abstract

The depth and extent of ground improvement from dynamic compaction often has to be assessed from site specific preliminary field tests as there is limited understanding of the fundamental mechanics involved. This paper will present data from a laboratory study in which high speed photography has been used to explore the deformation mechanisms in simple 2-D model experiments. The effect of soil type and relative density, and pounder geometry will be shown. Insights from these laboratory tests are used to explore some of the observations from a large scale application of dynamic compaction in western Sydney, where the underlying ground conditions were unknown and highly variable. Results will be presented to show the extent and degree of ground improvement and how this varied across the site. Insights from the laboratory tests are also used to explore some observations from rolling dynamic compaction at two sites.