Evaluation of silty sand as a material for sand compaction piles and applications

Abstract

Two types of sand compaction pile (SCP) model tests have been carried out to investigate the engineering properties of locally available and low-quality sand in Thailand as well as its suitability for SCP construction materials. The SCP model tests were performed using drop hammer compaction in one case and vibrator compaction in another. The sand samples used in this study were taken from three sources: the Kampengsen, Ayutthaya and Chonburi areas in Thailand. These samples were compacted at three different densities: 60, 70 and 90%. The cone penetration test and standard penetration test were conducted in each set-up under an overburden pressure of 100 kPa. Laboratory tests were also performed to determine the corresponding physical and engineering properties of the three sand samples so as to provide comparison with the results of the field model tests. It was found that these locally available and low-quality sands exhibited satisfactory engineering properties, and can therefore be used as construction materials for SCPs. Moreover, empirical relationships have been derived between ϕ values and SPT N values. Finally, the test results were successfully applied in an example calculation.