Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference 2020

December 17-19, 2020, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Chapter

Dynamic Compaction of Sandy and Silty Soils near Delhi

for Liquefaction Mitigation

Amit Somwanshi1[Engineering Manager], Sandeep Ghan2[Chief Engineering Manager] & Manoj Tip-
nis3[Head Engineering]
123 Transportation Infrastructure IC, EDRC (RREC), L & T Construction, Mumbai 400093,
India
amitsomwanshi@lntecc.com

Abstract. Along the DFCC alignment near Delhi, loose to medium dense sandy
silts or silty sands deposits were encountered at certain stretches. The water table was
also located at very shallow depths at these locations. The subsoil below the em-
bankment was identified to possess liquefaction potential upto a depth of 8-11m from
EGL. Though different compaction techniques are available to densify the soil and
mitigate the liquefaction potential, the dynamic compaction technique was considered
to be most effective for deep liquefiable soil deposit depths upto 11m from EGL.
It is pertinent to note that Delhi has inherent shortage of stone aggregates and
thereby making stone columns option unviable. The vibro compaction was also not
possible due to higher percentage of silts. Due to deeper depths of liquefiable soils,
the surficial compactions techniques were also not considered to be effective. Look-
ing at these facts, dynamic compaction is found quite useful, fast and cost effective to
treat these soils more effectively.
A precast concrete tamper of desired weight was used for compaction. The sandy
material was used to backfill the ground subsidence formed during dynamic compac-
tion.
The spacing and number of drop points are adopted based on design approach and
field trials. Field tests (standard penetration tests) carried out before and after dynamic
compaction indicated that the ground improvement has been successful to the desired
depth.

Keywords: dynamic; compaction; mitigate; liquefaction; improvement

1 Introduction

Ministry of Railways (MOR), Government of India has planned to construct a High

axle load Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) covering about 3325 km on two corri-
dors, Eastern and Western Corridors. Certain stretches in the DFC alignment near
Delhi indicate presence of loose to medium dense sandy silt and silty sand deposits
which are liquefying up to a depth of 8.0 to 11.0m from ground level. In order to
mitigate the risk of liquefaction, ground improvement by densification of the loose
sandy and silty subsoil was necessary.
 Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference 2020
December 17-19, 2020, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

The current paper briefly describes the details of the ground improvement using
dynamic compaction technique to create a suitable ground to support the railway em-
bankment.

2 Subsoil Profile

The soil exploration of the present site was done at 500m interval along the railway
alignment. The boreholes were terminated at refusal strata. The strata encountered are
generally of sandy silt of low plasticity (ML-CL) and silty sand (SM). The variation
in SPT- N values with depth of boreholes performed in liquefaction susceptible
stretches is presented in Fig. 1. Ground water table was encountered at about 1.5 to
7.1 m depth below ground level in the liquefaction susceptible stretches.

Fig. 1. SPT-N Verses Depth

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As seen from Fig.1, it is evident that the field SPT-N values ranges from 5 to 20 espe-
cially in the depth range of 0.5 to 11.0 m from the ground level at this certain stretch-
es. This indicates the loose to medium dense nature of subsoil.

3 Liquefaction Susceptibility Analysis

3.1 Methodology and Design Parameters

Due to presence of sandy and silty soils of low SPT -N values, shallow ground water
table and level of ground shaking expected at the site due to an earthquake, it was
concluded that the site had potential for liquefaction. Therefore, the liquefaction anal-
ysis was performed to determine the density of soils required to minimize the poten-
tial of liquefaction. These densities were then compared with densities of existing
soils to determine the magnitude of liquefaction potential of the site and level of site
improvement needed.
According to Figure 1 and Annexure E of IS 1893 (Part1)-2016 [1] which shows
the seismic zones and zone factors of important towns, the proposed site falls under
Zone –IV having zone factor as 0.24. A design earthquake magnitude of 7.0 and peak
ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.24g were considered in the analysis based on earth-
quake histories and recommended by IS 1893(Part1)-2016 [1].
The liquefaction potential calculations were carried out as per the procedure de-
tailed in Annexure F of IS 1893 (Part1)-2016 [1]. A critical factor of safety of 1.1 was
considered for the liquefaction analysis.
Design water table is considered at ground level except for embankment stretch at
CH 129+000 where water table is measured at 7.1m depth below ground level during
geotechnical investigation. The design water table is considered at 4.1 depth below
ground level in the analysis of stretch CH 129+00.

3.2 Results
As per the detailed liquefaction analysis, the authors estimated that the soils up to a
depth of 8.0 to 11.0m from ground level are susceptible to liquefaction in the event of
the design earthquake at the certain stretches of embankment. The minimum required
SPT -N values are calculated to achieve the required safety factor against liquefaction.
Densification of soils has been identified as a remedial measure against soil lique-
faction due to earthquake shaking. The number of options for improving the ground
were discussed and finally, after verifying the site constraints, local conditions, mate-
rial availability and the cost, it was decided to use dynamic compaction technique of
ground improvement.
As per IRC 75:2015, clause no. 5.2.8.1, the dynamic compaction method can be
used for the densification process for sandy and silty soils to mitigate the potential
risk of liquefaction.

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4 Ground Improvement

4.1 Design Concept

In dynamic compaction technique, the soil is densified by using a heavy drop weight.
The drop weight is lifted by a crane and repeatedly dropped onto the ground surface
in a grid pattern. The basic principle behind the technique consists in the transmission
of high energy waves through a compressible soil layer in order to improve at depth
its geotechnical properties.
As per Mitchell (1981), the depth of influence (D) up to which the ground is im-
proved by using the tamper of weight (W) falling from the height (H) is given by:
D = n(WH) (1)
Where D and H are in meters and W is in tons.
n = 0.5, modification factor taken as per Mitchell (1981)
The weight of tamper (W) and height of fall (H) for the required depth of im-
provement (D) of 8.0m and 11.0m is calculated using equation 1 and given in Table 1.

Table 1. Required parameters of dynamic compaction

Sl. No. Required depth of improvement Weight of tamper Height of fall (m)
(m) (Tons)
1 8.0 30.0 9.0
2 11.0 30.0 16.5

4.2 Site Execution

The dynamic compaction was done in two phases, followed by a levelling phase. The
energy was applied to the soil in phases on a grid pattern over the entire area in two
phases. The proposed arrangement and spacing of dynamic compaction points is giv-
en in Fig. 2.
The depth of improvement generally depends on the total amount of energy applied
to the soil, which is a function of the weight of the tamper and the drop height. At
each point on a 4m×4m grid, a 30-ton tamper was dropped repeatedly from a height
of 9.0m and 16.5m for depth of improvement of 8.0m and 11.0m respectively. Spac-
ing of drop points is commonly selected to be 1.5–2.5 times the diameter or width of a
tamper. Usually, 7 or more blows were applied at each point and craters of about 0.5
to 1.0 m depth were formed. The square tamper, 1.84 m high, 2.4 m in width and
weighing 30 tons, was made of concrete with steel casing. The in-place soils below
depth of craters are compacted due to vibrations and dissipation of excessive pore
pressures generated during compaction. Fig. 3 and 4 shows the dynamic compaction
in progress at the grid points and resulting crater.
The resources used for the execution of dynamic compaction.
a) Friction crane – 200 ton capacity
b) Concrete tamper – 30 ton weight
c) Sling and D-Shackle

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Fig. 2. Arrangement of Dynamic Compaction Grid

Fig. 3. Dynamic compaction at the site in progress

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 Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference 2020
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Fig. 4. Dynamic compaction at the site in progress

After the dynamic compaction, the area was levelled and compacted with an 8-ton
vibratory roller. A minimum lag time of one week was given between each subse-
quent pass to allow the excess pore pressures to dissipate.

5 Field Testing and Improvement

Following the area-wide dynamic compaction, standard penetration tests were con-
ducted at predetermined locations. Fig. 5, 6 and 7 present a typical comparison of
SPT-N values in a borehole before and after dynamic compaction. It is observed from
Fig. 5, 6 and 7 that the SPT-N values show a substantial improvement after area-wide
dynamic compaction because of the interlocking of the soil grains as a result of densi-
fication.
Fig. 5, 6 and 7 also shows N-values required to mitigate the liquefaction potential.
As can be seen from Fig. 5, 6 and 7 that most of the N-values measured post im-
provement are greater than those required to mitigate the liquefaction potential.

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Fig. 5. SPT data before and after compaction (CH 79+000)

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Fig. 6. SPT data before and after compaction (CH 79+500)

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Fig. 7. SPT data before and after compaction (CH 129+000)

6 Conclusions

Liquefaction analyses performed for a railway embankment site near Delhi are pre-
sented. The liquefaction analysis showed that the existing soils at the site had signifi-
cant liquefaction potential. The site soils were densified using dynamic compaction
technique. Based on the results of this investigation, the following conclusions can be
drawn.
1. The dynamic compaction was effectively used to compact the sandy and silty
subsoils up to 11.0m depth below ground level.
2. The compaction achieved was adequate to mitigate the liquefaction potential of
the subsoils at the site.
3. In seismic zones with liquefiable soils, dynamic compaction technique provides
technically sound and cost-effective solution.

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References
1. IS 1893-Part 1: Methods of test for soils – Criteria for earthquake resistance design of
structures, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi (2016).
2. IRC 75-2015: Guidelines for the design of high embankments
3. Mitchell, J.K.: Soil Improvement - State of the Art Report. In: 10th ICSMFE Proceedings,
pp. 509–565., 4, Stockholm (1981).

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