Dynamic Compaction Analysis

Abstract

A simplified model based on the one‐dimensional wave equation, which accounts for the interaction of the pounder and the soil, and the propagation of stress wave in the soil during the dynamic compaction of loose granular soil is presented. The soil beneath the pounder is represented by a nonlinear soil column, while the surrounding soil is represented by a series of springs and dashpots. The spring simulates the dynamic soil stiffness and the dashpot accounts for the radiation damping effect. The input soil parameters of the model can be determined in the laboratory or estimated from correlations with measured field data. In spite of the various simplifying assumptions in the model and the predictive method, computed results, such as pounder penetration and degree and depth of improvement, show an encouraging measure of agreement with available field measurements from two dynamic compaction projects. The proposed model is potentially useful for the analysis of dynamic compaction of loose granular soil.