Dynamic compaction is a technique developed in the 1960s that involves repeatedly dropping a large weight from a crane onto the ground to compact soils for construction projects like roads, airports, and buildings. The weight can range from 6 to 172 tons and is dropped from heights of 10 to 40 meters to densify soils to depths of 3 to 12 meters depending on the weight and soil properties. It is conducted in multiple phases with progressively closer spacing of impacts and is effective on both saturated and dry granular soils for reclamation projects with variable soil conditions.

1. Presented by:-
Gaurav Verma
IIT Roorkee

2.  Method invented and developed by Menard
Company in Late 1960’s
 Dynamic Compaction has been used on the
numerous sites all over the world for various
soil conditions and for a variety of
applications such as: roads, airports, large
halls

3.  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 40m

4.  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
 6 – 30 ton weight can densify the loose sands to a depth of 3
m to 12 m

5.  Hook
 Boom
 Hoist Rope
 Kingpost
 Crawler
 Load cell
 Cab and
control
 Counter
weight
Hook
Hoist
rope
Boom
Kingpost
crawler
Load cell
Cab and
control
Counter
weight

6.  Dynamic compaction is done in 3 phases :-
 Phase one
 Phase two
 Phase three
 Each phase can have no of passes
primary, secondary, tertiary, etc.

7.  Spacing between impact points depend upon:
 Depth of compressible layer
 Permeability of soil
 Location of ground water level
 Deeper layers are compacted at wider grid spacing, upper
layers are compacted with closer grid spacing

8.  Deep craters are formed by tamping
 Craters may be filled with sand after each pass
 Heave around craters is generally small

9.  Applicable for all type of granular soil
 This technique is particularly well adapted to
non-organic, non-homogeneous fill and
reclamation areas with variable characteristics
 It is effective in both saturated and un-saturated
soils.
 The depth of the compaction most often
varies between 3.0 and 7.0 m.

10.  Expensive and time consuming
 Shock waves affect underground utilities in
developed areas
 The soil can be treated as close as 3 m from
underground services and can be treated 6 m
from the sound structures
 Causes environmental pollution by making
noise, gusts of air, vibrations