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Dynamic Compaction

Dynamic Compaction is a compaction method which has been around for more than 60 years. It is a simple method with a great impact. A pounder is dropped in free fall from a specified height onto the surface to compact the soil. Cofra uses this technique in situations where our other compaction systems do not meet the criteria in an economical way or where our other methods are not allowed. With a depth of influence of over 12 meters, the technique has a larger depth of influence when compared to our CDC compaction hammers. Cofra uses the dynamic compaction with state of art monitoring systems to make the process as controlled as possible.

What it is

Dynamic Compaction (DC) is a technique that densifies loose granular materials up to a depth of 10 to 12 meters below the surface by repeatedly dropping a pounder of 10 to 20  tons from a height of 10 to 25m onto the surface.

How it works

The compaction of the underground is initiated by vibrations, which lead to the rearrangement of the particles. These vibrations are generated from the impact of a weight onto the surface.

Verdichting

With the impact of the pounder densification is achieved and a large depression is created. The depression should not extend into the watertable, blocking an effect transfer of the impact energy into the ground. Depending on the requirements, 4 to 10 blows are given on each location. A wide compaction grid is used in several phases.

The compaction results are, amongst others, dependent on the soil type, fines content and requirements. An assessment of the local soil by a compaction expert is therefore highly recommended. The depth of influence can be limited by density differences in the subsoil. If the situation is ideal, effects can be measured up to 12 meters deep. Improvements of up to qc=30MPa have often been achieved in the top 7-8 meters of the soil column.

 

Why it's used

Compaction is required to mitigate liquefaction risks or improve the bearing capacity and settlement behavior under loading of the underground. Dynamic compaction is often used on new reclamations to compact the subsoil up to requirements to avoid liquefaction under an earthquake. The solution is also in high demand to improve the bearing and settlement characteristics of the top layers .

Applying Dynamic Compaction will result in the following effects:

  • Soil densification due to vibration and particles re‐organization
  • Friction angle increase
  • Stiffness increase
  • Bearing capacity increase
  • Liquefaction mitigation
  • Limitation of settlement when applying load

 

Application area

Dynamic Compaction is used in the following markets (click on the specific market for more information):

  • Infrastructure: The DC technique is for example used for the compaction of embankments for roads, railways, runways and aprons for airports and port areas. The compaction can in this case be related to liquefaction mitigation but also to improve the load settlement characteristics of the substrata under dynamic loading (transport of heavy equipment or reduce the long term impact of impacts)
  • Dredging and land reclamation: DC is often used to compact reclamations up to specification
  • Mining: DC can be used to compact roadways for the heavy mining trucks or to allow for higher production in the filling of spoils.
  • Construction: Dynamic compaction is used in the construction industry to compact terrains. 
  • Liquefaction mitigation: DC is used for liquefaction mitigation in areas where loose saturated granular soil occurs up to a depth of 12 meters

  The following soil types are suitable for the use of DC:

Website Diagram DC V2

How it is installed

The operational process of Dynamic Compaction consists of placing the pounder on the marked location. After positioning, the pounder is lifted and released from the predetermined height. After impact the pounder is lifted for a following drop. This process is repeated until the stop criteria set by our geotechnical engineer are met. These stop criteria are determined during field trials investigating the the number of blows by print, the drop height, the pounder weight and the number of phases.

Csm DC V3 Ef3396dd99

Contact us (regional contacts on our contact page)

Business development Cofra

For new opportunities or partnering.

Estimation Department Cofra

If you require a quotation or need a budget for your project for any country in world outside our home markets.

Technical Sales Cofra

For design questions or technical information.

A selection of our compaction projects

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chemia

CDC compaction for Puchov railway project

Cofra Chemia has executed the compaciton for the Puchov railway project in 2017.

Duqm_59

CDC compaction for land reclamation of a new port in Duqm, Oman

We have compacted 826,000m2 of reclamation up to a depth of 8m for a new port in Duqm, Oman.

Makassar CVC 77

CDC, CRC and CVC compaction for new reclamation for the expansion of Makassar Indonesia

We compacted 450,000 m2 land reclamation using our compaction techniques. The uniqueness of this project was that three compaction techniques were available for the compaction of the reclamation of up to 12m thickness. This made that optimisations were reached in the deployment of the techniques.

Dover_1

CDC compaction for DWDR project in Dover, UK

We compacted in 2017 in several phases 90,000m2 for the expansion of the Dover Western Harbour Front. Compaction was executed right next to sheetpile walls.

Saa-One_172

CDC compaction for carriageway railway bridge

We compacted in several phases the carriageway for the transport of a 13,500ton railway bridge in 2016. Compaction was executed in strict time schedule due to closures of highways for the compaction of the subbase material.

Felixstowe2_36

CDC compaction for Felixstowe berth 9 expansion

We compacted in two phases the new berth 9 quay  in 2015 and in 2018 the remaining area behind the quay.