Vibration Propagation of Dynamic Compaction in Widening Highway Foundations

Application of Nanotechnology in Pavements, Geological Disasters, and
Foundation Settlement Control Technology GSP 244 ASCE 2014
Vibration Propagation of Dynamic Compaction in Widening Highway

Foundations
1
2
Zhanyong Yao , Xianghong Pan , Zhuang Jin2, Kai Zhang2, Xiaomeng Zhang2
1
Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, 17922 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong,
250061 P.R. China. E-mail: zhanyong-y@sdu.edu.cn
2
Student, School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University. E-mail: xianghong0220@163.com
ABSTRACT: Dynamic compaction is an economical and effective method to

improve foundation conditions. When widening the highway foundation, it is
unclear whether the law of dynamic compaction vibration impacts the original
subgrade and structure, which restricts the use of dynamic compaction technology
in the highway foundation-broaden project. By using FLAC 3D numerical
calculation software, a dynamic compaction vibration finite difference model was
built to analyze the dynamic compaction vibration propagation law of the roadside
foundation in the subgrade and pavement structure. At the same time, the vibration
acceleration of the key points and the rammer subsoil dynamic pressure value were
made as double assessment indicators. The dynamic compaction vibration response
of the subgrade and comprehensive evaluation of the foundation reinforcement
effect with different parameters were obtained. Through the indoor model test, the
reliability of the numerical analysis was verified. The tamping energy of
1500KNm, drop height of 6m (corresponding rammer weight of 25T)and rammer
diameter of 1.5m or 2m are used in the test .The result showed that a good
foundation reinforcement effect can be reached as well as the minimal vibration
effects on the surrounding environment. Compared with flat terrain, the dynamic
compaction vibration acceleration attenuation at embankment toe is more
significant. For all, the pavement structure vibration accelerations tended to be a
rapid decay. The medial maximum acceleration reached to 3.9m/s2. The compaction
vibrations acceleration of road base and sub-base does not significantly change,
which both are less than the surface layer.
KEY WORDS: subgrade widen, foundation, dynamic compaction, subgrade structure,
propagation law
1. INTRODUCTION
The differential settlement between old and new subgrade caused longitudinal
cracking and slope instability in high embankment pavement structure of the
widening road. In the case of tense circumstances, it is essential to eliminate the road
distresses in the reinforcement of widening foundation. To attain a cost-effective
foundation reinforcement, dynamic compaction is used: it obtains a desired effect in
the highway foundation reinforcement and elimination of subgrade settlement after
construction, which is widely used in highway engineering. Dynamic compaction
vibration has a great impact on the subgrade and pavement structure. However, due to
the the law of dynamic compaction, the influence of the impact is unclear. The old
road subgrade and pavement structural stability of widening highway foundation and
the impact of driving safety is difficult to evaluate. The technology is limited in road
widening foundation reinforcement.
Compaction process, tamping energy, rammer structure, topography and
geological soil conditions have great impact on the application of dynamic
54

compaction vibration and its transmission. In recent years, domestic and foreign
scholars get information mainly by using field test, numerical analysis or other means.
They analyzed the dynamic compaction vibration attenuation law under different
dynamic compaction tamping energy and geological conditions. (Jiang et
al.,1999)(Yang et al.,2007)(Yu et al., 2010)(Hwang et al., 2006).They also learned
from structural vibration conditions at compaction damage criterion,(Li et al.,
2002)(Tan et al.,2001) and given the minimum safety distance under different tamping
energy,(Fang et al., 2001)(Li et al.,2008)different geological conditions and different
building styles(Yang et al.,2008) (Shi et al.,2007) (Gao et al.,2004). Some scholars
have discussed the compaction process on the foundation reinforcement effect, but did
not analyze the impact of vibration compaction process(Yang et al.,2004)(Lv et
al.,2006)(Kong et al.,1998)(Tian et al.,2008). The reports about impact of dynamic
compaction vibration on the subgrade and pavement structure cannot be seem at home
and abroad.
By using FLAC 3D numerical calculation software, a road widening foundation
dynamic three-dimensional numerical model was built to analyze the dynamic
compaction vibration propagation law of the roadside foundation in the subgrade and
pavement structure. At the same time, the vibration acceleration of the key points and
the rammer subsoil dynamic pressure value were made as assessment indicators to
obtain the impact of foundation reinforcement effort with different parameters, as well
as the vibration law of subgrade and foundation. Based on the above analysis, the
construction parameters were optimized under the tamping energy of 1500KNm.
Besides this, the vibration law of widening highway subgrade and pavement under
roadside foundation dynamic compaction also had been given. Through the indoor
model test, the reliability of the numerical analysis was verified. This study provides a
reference for developing vibration control standards, as well as for research on
dynamic compaction vibration and shock absorption technology.
2.COMPACTION VIBRATION INDOOR MODEL TEST
Using the build indoor broaden foundation dynamic test model, dynamic
compaction fluctuation in the old subgrade was analyzed. Compared with the result of
dynamic compaction numerical analysis which has the same scale with the indoor
model, the reliability of the numerical analysis was verified.
2.1.Testequipment
By using test system (DH5923) with a magnetic vibration sensor (DH610), the
dynamic vibration impact on subgrade and foundation can be tested. By using static
and dynamic strain measurement system (DH3817) with the soil resistance strain
gauge (DYB-type), the reinforcement effect of foundation can be tested. Based on
similar ratio scale, circular rammer was selected as the mainly loading equipment.
The rammer diameter is 25cm and the weight is 30kg.
2.2.Model geometry design and arrangement of measuring points.
1:10 geometric scale was applied in the experimental model. By using electric
impact rammer(TRD-80), divided into 15 layers of compacted completed, compaction
degree was controlled over 93%. The acceleration sensors and soil pressure gauge
layout are shown in Figure 1 (Unit: in meter ).
55

56
Figure 1 Test element layout

2.3.Test program
By conducting the test with the drop height of 50cm and 100cm to the broaden
foundation, the dynamic compaction compact law on reinforcement effect with
different tamping energy was analyzed. Each drop from the compacting numbers
reached to 10. The soil in the tamping area was replaced when the rammer was
changed. It was done to eliminate the influence of the former tamping.
3. NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC COMPACTION VIBRATION
3.1.Numerical methods and related calculation parameters
FLAC 3D finite difference software was selected to build highway widening
Foundation Dynamic three-dimensional numerical model.
Mohr - Coulomb elastoplastic model is used as the material models of subgrade,
foundation soil. Related parameters are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 related calculation parameters
Location
Old roadbed
Old foundation upper
Old foundation lower
New foundation upper
New foundation lower
Surface
base
subbase
EMPa KMPa GMPa
50
55.6
18.5
0.35
30
33.3
11.1
0.35
20
22.2
7.4
0.35
15
16.7
5.6
0.35
15
16.7
5.6
0.35
1600
1066.7
640
0.25
2500
1666.7
1000
0.25
1200
869.6
472.4
0.27
C(kPa)
25
20
18
15
15
340
450
110
35
30
28
27
27
30
58
44
(Kg/m3)
1860
1850
1800
1750
1800
2000
2100
1700
3.2.Numerical analysis program

(1)Program I
A numerical analysis model was build that is consistent with the size of indoor
model test (figure 1).Numerical simulation analysis was carried out on the indoor
model test to verify the reliability of the results of numerical calculation. The grid size
is 0.05 m 0.05 m.
(2)Program II
Simplified old road pavement structure is shown in figure 2 (Unit: in meter).
Subgrade was widen in both directions. Tamping energy is 1500KNm(reference the
relevant provision of dynamic compaction construction manual, which is applicable
for the foundation reinforcement in such subgrade height). The diameter is 2.5m, drop
height ranges from 15, 10, 7.5, 6.0, 5.0, 4.3 to 3.8m, and corresponding rammer
weights are 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40tons. Analyze the reinforcement

effect of dynamic compaction under the same tamping energy with different drop
height.
Figure 2 Solid model geometry

(3)Program III
According to the calculations of program II, the best drop height was selected
which can reach an ideal reinforcement effect and little vibration impact on the
surrounding. By using different diameter rammer (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0m), the
numerical simulation on roadside compaction reinforcement is conducted again, and
analyzation of the impact of rammer diameter on dynamic compaction reinforcement
effect and vibration investigation.
3.3.Results and analysis
(1)The comparison between numerical analysis and model test results
Figures 3 and 4 were for the interior test model numerical results (program I) and
the indoor model test results. 150N m and 300Nm were the tamping energy used by
the calculation and test.
Figure 3 Measured vibration acceleration Figure 4 Measured pressure of rammer

compared with the calculated
center at the bottom compared
results
with the calculated results
Under the two tamping energy, the vibration law of measuring points obtained
from numerical analysis is basically identical with that of model test. Deviation of
vibration acceleration amplitude is less than 5% in the measuring points 3 and 4
which are near the point of tamping. In the numerical calculations, Embankment slope
soil is set as Elastic-plastic body which is completely close contacted. But in the test,
slope soil structure became loose because of the brush slope processing, which caused
the measured values to be low. Then, a relatively large difference emerged compared
with the calculation results. According to the dynamic pressure of the rammer center
in the depth of 10~30 cm, the measured values and the numerical values are equal, all
of which show a linear gradient. Overall, the result of numerical analysis is reliable.
Hence, it can be used to analyze fluctuation of dynamic compaction on subgrade and
57

foundation.
(2)Determination of best rammer drop height(rammer weight)
According to program II, the vibration acceleration of the key points (3# and 4#)
and the rammer subsoil dynamic pressure values serve as assessment indicators to
analyze vibration response and foundation reinforcement effect under different drop
height and 1500KN m tamping energy. The calculated values of vibration acceleration
amplitude at point 3 and 4 were extracted (corresponding to position of indoor model
test). The dynamic soil pressure at the depth of 5m was chosen. The calculation
results are shown in figure 5.
Figure 5 Effect under different rammer weight

While keeping the tamping energy and rammer diameter unchanged, with the drop
height increasing, the vibration acceleration increases first and then decreases. When
the drop height is 6m, the value reached a minimum and then increased following a
decrease indicating fluctuations. The value of dynamic soil pressure under the rammer
increased at first and then decreased and reached the peak in the drop height of 6m.
Considering the dynamic compaction vibration and foundation reinforcement effect,
when the tamping energy is 1500KNm and drop height is 6m(rammer weight is
25T),the dynamic soil pressure at the bottom of rammer reach maximum ,and the
impact on the surroundings reaches minimum.
(3)Determination of best rammer diameter
According to program III, by using tamping energy of 1500KNm and rammer
weight of 25T(drop height of 6m), the vibration acceleration of the key points and the
rammer subsoil dynamic pressure values are obtained. These values usually served as
assessment indicators to analyze vibration response and foundation reinforcement
effect under different rammer diameter. Vibration acceleration amplitude extraction
and dynamic pressure value extraction follow program II.
58

Figure 6 Effect under different rammer diameter

As shown in figure 6, dynamic soil pressure of rammer at the bottom increases
rapidly when the diameter increases from 1m to 1.5m. Continue increasing rammer
radius to 2.5m, pressure decreases steadily. While rammer diameter less than 2.5m,
pressure rapidly decreases. Along with the rammer diameter increases, the vibration
acceleration of measuring point has been showing an increasing trend. The vibration
acceleration increases slowly with the diameter ranging from 1.5m to 2.0m. When
rammer diameter is 1.0m, the vibration amplitude of measurement points reach the
minimum, causing the foundation reinforcement to be poor. When the diameter of the
rammer is between 1.5m and 2.0m, dynamic pressure of foundation soil reaches its
maximum and the reinforcement effect is more effective. In addition, acceleration
amplitude of measuring point is small, which means that it has a small impact on the
surrounding environment. The further increase of the diameter, especially reaching
above 2.5m, cause the measuring point vibration amplitude to increase significantly,
while the dynamic pressure of the soil decreases rapidly. The results indicate the
increasing influence of vibration on the surrounding environment and the reduction of
foundation reinforcement effect. Visibly, in the condition of 1500KNm tamping
energy, there is a height drop of 6m (rammer weight 25T) when using 1.5m or 2.0m
diameter rammer can get a good foundation reinforcement effect ,as well as minimal
impact on the surrounding environment vibration. The rammer height will reach to
1.8m while adopting a diameter of 1.5m(rammer weight of 25T). Rammer balance is
difficult to control in the construction process, so rammer diameter of 2.0m is
recommended.
(4)Compaction decay law of vibration acceleration analysis
The vibration acceleration on surface of foundation and subgrade (rammer
diameter of 2.0m, weight of 25T, drop height of 6m) are shown in figure 7.
Figure 7 Attenuation curve of the vertical vibration acceleration curve on

foundation surface and subgrade slope
Compared with the terrain of ground plane, strong vibrating shock acceleration at
the foot of the slope is more significant. Both of the terrains basically keep consistent
after this point, which show an overall trend of rapid decay. The propagation path of
the shock wave is changed because of topographic mutation, which makes
more shock wave energy consumption in this case. As a result, the acceleration
59

attenuation at the slope is more significant.

Vibration acceleration of pavement structure is shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8 Attenuation curve of the vertical vibration acceleration

curve in pavement structure
The vibration acceleration reaches maximum inside the road for 3.9m/s2.With the
distance from the rammer center increasing, dynamic compaction vibration
acceleration in the pavement structure shows an overall rapid negative exponential
decay. It is similar to the spread law of strong vibrating shock in the foundation.
However, because of the pavement layer plate body effect, the vibration acceleration
structure layer slightly increases in the lateral structure layer. The vibration
acceleration of base and subbase do not fluctuate significantly, both of which are less
than that of surface layer. With increasing distance from the rammer point, vibration
acceleration decay rate of surface layer is faster than that of base and subbase at first.
Then the former one become slower than the latter two.
4. CONCLUSIONS
(1) Dynamic soil pressure in foundation and fluctuation of foundation and
subgrade are obtained from numerical analysis in the highway widening project which
are consistent with the model test results. Hence, numerical analysis results are
considered to be reliable.
(2) Under the typical tamping energy of 1500KNm, considering the
reinforcement effect and vibration response, hammer parameter (rammer weight of
25tons, drop height of 6m, rammer diameter of 2m) would be the best choice in the
condition of certain rammer weight and diameter range. Not only does it have good
reinforcement effect, but it also has a small vibration in the subgrade and pavement
structure.
(3) Compared with the terrain of ground plane, strong vibrating shock acceleration
at the foot of the slope is more significant. Both of the terrains basically keep
consistent after this point, showing an overall trend of rapid decay. Beside this, it has
some amplification effect in the top of the slope.
(4) The vertical vibration acceleration is greater than horizontal one in the original
subgrade and pavement structure. Furthermore, vertical displacement is greater than
horizontal one, both of which are small. The maximum instantaneous displacement of
the pavement structure is only 1.2mm.
60

(5) When the height of subgrade is 5m, the tamping energy should keep under
1500KNm in the reinforcement of widening foundation.
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Vibration Propagation of Dynamic Compaction in Widening Highway Foundations

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Application of Nanotechnology in Pavements, Geological Disasters, and

Foundation Settlement Control Technology GSP 244 ASCE 2014