Aggregate Columns

Photos

Stone column construction by dry bottom feed process. (Photograph courtesy of James Mitchell.)

Load test on a stone column. (Photograph courtesy of James Mitchell)

Stone column construction in soft soil. (Photograph courtesy of James Mitchell.)

Construction of stone column by wet top feed method. (Photograph courtesy of Jame Mitchell)

Rammed aggregate pier construction. (Photograph courtesy of Jame Mitchell)

Rammed aggregate pier tamper. (Photograph courtesy of GeoStructures, Inc.)

Pre-drilling of hole for rammed aggregate pier installation. (Photograph courtesy of GeoStructures, Inc.)

Overview

Photograph showing stone column construction using a vibratory probe. Aggregate is being place at the top of the probe location.

Stone column construction in soft soil. (Photograph courtesy of James Mitchell)

Aggregate columns refer to both rammed aggregate piers and stone columns. Rammed aggregate piers are constructed by using a high-energy down-hole tamper to compact the aggregate and create individual stiff column elements. Stone columns are similar, but are constructed using a down-hole vibratory probe. Aggregate columns are applicable to new embankment construction over unstable soils and embankment widening.

Classes

Construction of Vertical Support Elements

Densification of Cohesionless Soils

Liquefaction Mitigation