Motion behaviour of deep vibrators investigated in large-scale tests

Abstract

Deep vibro compaction (vibroflotation) was patented by Keller in the 1930s and since then it has been successfully used worldwide for deep compaction of granular soils. The methods for quality control of the compaction works are largely empirical in nature and therefore often unreliable. In a research project, fundamental experimental investigations on real-time quality control for the deep vibro compaction were executed. Large scale tests were performed to investigate the three-dimensional vibrator motion during the compaction process. Based on the measurement data, complementary theoretical investigations were performed, and an analytical model was developed. This paper presents selected results of the large-scale tests and discusses the modelling approach briefly. Moreover, possible indicators in the measured data for the changing soil conditions are shown.