What Is A Granular Soil?

Subject: Ground improvement Techniques Class: IV-1
(Two mark Questions)
UNIT -3 In-situ Densification Methods In Granular Soils

1. What is a granular soil?
A. "Granular soil" means gravel, sand, or silt (coarse grained soil) with little or no
clay content. Granular soil has no cohesive strength. Some moist granular soils
exhibit apparent cohesion. Granular soil cannot be molded when moist and
crumbles easily when dry.
2. How is densification of soils done?
A. Densification occurs through application of energy in various forms including

dropping weights, inducing vibrations, jetting action. Densification is done in-situ
for loose sands and gravel, i.e. granular soils
2. Why is densification of granular soil necessary?
 The reclamation of new land with hydraulic fill results in a loose profile of
granular soil mass.
 This loose granular soil will contribute to high elastic immediate settlement
as well as liquefaction upon dynamic forces.
 In addition, the bearing capacity of a granular foundation is mainly

dependent upon shear characteristics such as the friction angle of the soil.
The compressibility is in turn dependent upon the elastic modulus of the soil.
 To increase the friction and the elastic modulus of granular soil, it has to be
improved by a densification method.
3. State the different densification techniques for granular soils
A. There are a few methods of deep compaction.
 Dynamic compaction
 Vibro flotation or Vibro compaction
 Compaction by piles are the methods most commonly used in densification of
granular soils.
4. Why compaction is needed?
A. Compaction reduces the amount of air pockets or voids in soil by packing the
solid particles closer together. Forcing as many solids as possible into a given space
increases soil density and strength. Increased strength lets the soil carry greater
loads on footings of a fixed size or permits using smaller footings for a fixed load.
5. When are deep compaction techniques required?
A. Deep compaction techniques are required when in–situ soil extending to large
depths does not meet the requirements of performance criteria specified for the
expected loading and environmental conditions.
6. On what factors does Degree of Densification depend on?
 based on the magnitude of bearing capacity required

 Extent of tolerable settlement.
 upon the geometry of the foundation
 shear strength parameters, especially the frictional angle of the soil
 Relative density, which can correlate well with both the friction angle and
modulus of soil.
7. How is the required depth of compaction determined?
 If there are no expected seismic or dynamic forces that can cause

liquefaction in the future, the granular soil mass is densified to increase the
bearing capacity and to reduce the elastic settlement.
 The densification depth should also be determined based on pressure bulb
calculation for particular types and geometry of foundation.
 The soil mass beyond the stress influence zone may not need to be
compacted.
 If a liquefaction problem exists, the whole profile of granular soil needs to be
compacted.
8. What is the technique involved in Dynamic compaction
A. Technique involves repeatedly dropping a large weight from a crane. Weight may
range from 6 to 172 tons. Drop height typically varies from 10 m to 40 m. Degree
of densification achieved is a function of the energy input (weight and drop height)
as well as the saturation level, fines content and permeability of the material
9. What are the types of Dynamic Compaction?
 Dynamic consolidation
 Dynamic replacement
 Rotational dynamic compaction
 Rapid impact dynamic compaction
10. What is the significance of grid spacing in Dynamic Compaction?
 Significant effect on depth of improvement

 First pass compacts deepest layer, should be equal to the compressible layer
 Subsequent passes compact shallower layers, may require lesser energy
 Ironing pass compacts top layer
11. What are the Equipment limitations in Dynamic Compaction?
 Crane capacity
 Height of drop
 Mass of tamper
 Tamper size
12. What are the disadvantages of Dynamic Compaction?
A. The process is expensive and relatively time consuming; due to the development
of the pore pressure in the fine grained soil its applicability is reduced.
This method is not valid for populated or fully developed areas because the shock
waves generated by this method may affect other underground utilities or the
adjoining structures.
It causes environmental pollution by making noise, gusts of air, vibrations and
permanent deformation of the soil.
13. Explain briefly about Vibro flotation or Vibro Compaction
A. A loose soil or heterogeneous granular backfill can be compacted in depth by the

penetration of vibrating probes or vibroflots. The main purpose of Vibrocompaction
is to densify the in-situ soils by vibration
The compaction process consists of a flotation of the soil particles as a result of

vibration, which then allows for a rearrangement of the particles into a
denser state.
14. State the advantages of Vibro Compaction
 loads can be spread from the footing elevation

 Risk of seismically induced liquefaction can be reduced
 Cost-effective alternative to removal and replacement of loose granular soils
 Effective both above and below water table
15. State the disadvantages of Vibro Compaction
 Effective only in granular soils

 If soil contains greater than 2% clay or 15% silts cohesion prevents
realignment of sand grains and densification
 Large volume of water may be necessary
16. Explain briefly about Compaction piles?
 Pile driving is one of the most effecting methods for compacting loose sand
gravel
 The compaction is partly caused by the vibrations from driving the piles and
partly by the displacement of soil caused by piles
 The soil is also compacted below the piles down to the depth that
corresponds to about one pile diameter.
 The method is economical for relatively small areas

What Is A Granular Soil?

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Subject: Ground improvement Techniques Class: IV-1

(Two mark Questions)

UNIT -3 In-situ Densification Methods In Granular Soils

2. How is densification of soils done?

A. Densification occurs through application of energy in various forms including

2. Why is densification of granular soil necessary?

 In addition, the bearing capacity of a granular foundation is mainly

3. State the different densification techniques for granular soils

A. There are a few methods of deep compaction.

5. When are deep compaction techniques required?

6. On what factors does Degree of Densification depend on?

 based on the magnitude of bearing capacity required

7. How is the required depth of compaction determined?

 If there are no expected seismic or dynamic forces that can cause

9. What are the types of Dynamic Compaction?

10. What is the significance of grid spacing in Dynamic Compaction?

 Significant effect on depth of improvement

11. What are the Equipment limitations in Dynamic Compaction?

12. What are the disadvantages of Dynamic Compaction?

13. Explain briefly about Vibro flotation or Vibro Compaction

A. A loose soil or heterogeneous granular backfill can be compacted in depth by the

The compaction process consists of a flotation of the soil particles as a result of

14. State the advantages of Vibro Compaction

 loads can be spread from the footing elevation

15. State the disadvantages of Vibro Compaction

 Effective only in granular soils

16. Explain briefly about Compaction piles?

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