Model Test of Soft Soil Improved by High Energy Dynamic Replacement Method

The Dynamic Replacement method has been widely used to increase the bearing capacity of soil foundations for various construction projects and earth structures (i.e., roadway embankment, ports, and retaining walls) due to its advantages of simple process, rapid construction, and economical cost. With the development of the technology, the dynamic replacement technique has been trending to usage of a high level of impact energy (for example, greater than 6000kN⋅m). However, the mechanism of reinforcement and the response of the soil by the high impact energy have not been well investigated. Model tests were carried out to investigate the performance of the saturated silly soil improved by the Dynamic Replacement method with high impact energy. The model test modeled the dynamic compact process using a different size of hammer model. The influence factors of cushion thickness and particle size of gravel material were studied. The ground deformation was monitored during the test.