A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1979

This thesis discusses three in-place treatment methods of foundation soils: vibroflotation , dynamic consolidation, and electro-osmosis. Emphasis has been made on the mechanisms of densification, factors affecting densification, and engineering properties of the densified soils. Case histories are cited to illustrate the points made. Under the weight of vibroflot and with the assistance of water and vibration, the machine sinks rapidly into the ground and causes compaction . Vibroflotation was firstly introduced into Taiwan, R.O.C . in 1977 and the field data are attached to this thesis to illustrate the effectiveness of this method . The impact force having extremely high energy per blow can compact the ground to the depth of tens meters. Techniques Louis Menard has developed this method, namely dynamic consolidation, since 1970 . The first application of this method in South-East Asia is the compaction of run way soil foundation for Singapore Changi Airport. The data are attached to show that this method is suitable for treating hydraulic fill silty sand. By applying electrical current through soft soils, the soils can be stabilized under the effects of dewatering and consolidation. The use of electro-osmosis may be costly; however, there may be no alternative method for solving the problem. A case history of Singapore Shipyard has been illustrated to indicate the economical solution to an embankment stability problem.