Blast Densification: Multi-Instrumented Case History
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 6
Abstract
A comprehensive blast densification field study was conducted at a test site in South Carolina to densify a loose soil layer at a depth between . The study included extensive laboratory and field characterizations and four carefully monitored blast events. Results revealed that densification is not an instantaneous phenomenon; underlying time-dependent processes involve resedimentation, drainage of excess pore pressure as the granular skeleton deforms and the effective stress recovers, and secondary settlement effects, which do not involve excess pore pressure dissipation. The degree of densification decreased in successive blasting events, and the soil gradually evolved toward an asymptotical terminal density associated with blast densification. The blasting sequence and detonation delays appeared to have a minor effect on shear-induced movements. The increase in penetration resistance manifested after four blasting-drainage events. Instead, surface settlement using standard surveying techniques, subsurface deformation assessment, and subsurface pore fluid pressure monitoring provided valuable, real-time indicators of the soil response to the blasting events.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this study was provided by the National Science Foundation,NSF the Mid-America Earthquake Center, GeoSyntec Consultants Inc., and the Goizueta Foundation. A. Palomino and J. S. Lee performed some laboratory tests. T. S. Yun, F. Santamarina, R. Kulasingam, and G. Hebeler participated in different parts of the study.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 6 • June 2009
Pages: 723 - 734
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 25, 2007
Accepted: Sep 10, 2008
Published online: Feb 19, 2009
Published in print: Jun 2009
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