Vibrocompaction is a ground improvement technique using a vibratory probe to compact loose soil or fill.

Presentation and key elements

What is it?

Vibrocompaction is executed using a vibratory probe. Under the effect of its weight, the jetted water, and the sustained horizontal vibrations, the vibratory probe rapidly reaches the desired depth. The probe is then gradually lifted in successive steps, producing a cylinder of compacted ground that is 2 to 4.5 meters in diameter.

When and why use it?

Loose soil or fill can be compacted at depth by inserting vibratory probes with large volumes of water to generate localised soil liquefaction. This enables the particles to rearrange themselves in a denser formation and thus increases the overall density of the soil. It controls and reduces settlement, mitigates liquefaction, stabilizes or treats hydraulic fill, and limits lateral earth pressure behind quay walls.

💡 Menard’s tip

Vibrocompaction generally generates settlement amounting to 7 to 10% of the thickness of the soil treated.

CMC techniques for soil

Our vibrocompaction projects