Rapid Impact Compaction
Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) is an economical technique unique to BBGE in the UK that is particularly used for treating granular fills up to 3-4 metres depth.
How the technique works
RIC utilises a 7 tonne hydraulic piling hammer repeatedly hitting a heavy 1-1.5m diameter steel foot. Recurring blows at each treatment position create imprints, which are subsequently filled with granular material. The pattern is then repeated at offset locations in order to provide treatments depths of around 3m. The technique can usually be employed within 10-15m of sound structures.
RIC can be mixed with Dynamic Compaction on larger sites where nearby structures exist on the boundary of the site, thus increasing the area which can be treated by compaction techniques.
RIC can be used in shallow granular fills containing contaminants where penetrative ground improvement techniques such as vibro stone columns would risk exposing contaminants to the atmosphere. RIC can also be employed on sites where made ground contains coal waste deposits which are potentially susceptible to spontaneous combustion (vibro concrete columns are precluded due to the risk posed by friction generated by the vibroflot equipment in the ground).
Rapid Impact Compaction is ideal:
- To improve the bearing capacities of hard standing areas
- For use with foundations and ground bearing floor slabs in low-rise housing and light industrial buildings
- To enhance the stiffness of stone column treated soils requiring increased ground bearing properties for floor slab areas
- To prevent collapse of shallow voids in made ground
- Proven in projects in the UK and overseas
