GEOPIER® Q&A

WEBINAR

WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!

Q&A FROM GEOPIER® GROUND IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR
TRANSPORTATION SECTOR WEBINAR - 05.12.2020
Please see answers to attendee questions below.

Q: What is the usual spacing of Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) elements across the MSE wall length?
A: RAP spacing is dependent on technology,method of installation, and area replacement ratio. Spacing under MSE
wall is designed to meet 1) total and differential settlement criteria, 2) Global stability and 3) Bearing capacity
demand. Spacing can range from 4 to 10.
Q: Discuss about the spacing of the Geopier.
A: Spacing is dependent upon 1) total and differential settlement criteria, 2) Global stability and 3) Bearing capacity.
RAP spacing is also dependent on technology,method of installation, and area replacement ratio.
Q: For the geopiers to act as wick drains and reduce primary consolidation time, does there need to be special
consideration at the ground surface where the drainage path will follow?
A: Radial drainage to the RAP elements is an added benefit of the Geopier® System. Normally a drainage blanket at
the ground surface is not necessary unless very high settlement is anticipated and additional storage capacity is
needed.
Q: How do you control the pressure to create the pier? Can you control it?
A: For the Geopier GP3® technology, pressure can be controlled by limiting energy applied to tamper and duration of
tamping individual lift of aggregate.
Q: Is there any benefit to consulting with the project’s structural engineer to select Rs when an actual structure is in
play?
A: Yes, selecting appropriate value of Rs is a function of rigidity of the foundation and stiffness of the Geopier®
elements. Discussion and coordination with the structural engineer is often beneficial to account for the soil-
structure interaction.
Q: What are the challenges caused during use of RAP? Any research topic that can be taken up in this field ?
A: Challenging soil conditions can be very soft and thick soil deposits and highly organic soils. Geopier® will closely
review every project to ensure adequate suitability for our ground improvement systems. Geopier® systems have
been heavily studied over the last 25 years. We continue to work on emerging technologies and R&D field programs
in several areas to provide feasible and economical solutions to challenging projects.
Q: Which technique was used for installation in case study one?
A: The Geopier GP3® technology- Drill and fill method.
Q: What is the usual range of diameter and spacing c/c of Geopier GP3® and Geopier Impact® system etc.
A: Typical diameter of Geopier GP3® elements are 24 inch or 30 inch. For the Geopier mpact® system, its 16 inch and 20
inch. RAP spacing is dependent on technology, soil density or consistency, and heights of embankment or walls.
Spacing can variety from 4 to 10 ft c-c.
Q: How the load from the structure concrete foundations is distributed over the group of Geopier® without any
provision of top compacted granular platform capping over the Geopier® underneath?
A: A granular pad is not necessary provided that the foundation is designed to accommodate increased stress
concentration at the top of the RAP elements. Typically a traditional concrete footing can be used rather than a pile
cap and grade beam foundation.
Q: Is the Geopier® solution is applicable for the very soft to soft sensitive marine clayey deposits having high Liquid
Limit, Natural Moisture Contents, void ratio and high compressibility?
A: The applicability depends on the thickness of the very soft soil, the structure to be supported, and the settlement
criteria. If settlement tolerances cannot be achieved, Geopier® rigid inclusions consisting of cementitious elements
may be considered to prevent bulging and transfer loads to a better soil layer. Depth limitations are about 18 meters.
 GEOPIER® Q&A
WEBINAR

Q: Like stone column or stiff Rammed Aggregate Pier, can we use sand drains in the soft soils with ground water
table for the embankment?
A: We have not used sand drains on our projects. However, sand drains have been used for drainage on projects
worldwide. Sand drains may work well if additional settlement reduction, limit equilibrium stability, or bearing
capacity is not needed. Sand drains may also clog compared to wick drains. RAP elements are more beneficial
when stone is used for settlement, stability, and bearing capacity benefits.
Q: How do RAPs vary from different sand drains, in soft clay embankment?
A: RAP elements are much stiffer than sand drains and increase the composite shear strength and stiffness of the soil
compared to sand drains.
Q: Are this formulas inluded in any technical note or design manual from Geopier®?
A: Yes. Technical White papers are published on our website.
Q: Why is the friction angle bigger than in a stone column?
A: Geopier® uses patented beveled shape tamping foot to compact aggregate in thin lifts. Stone is compacted vertically
to such that particles roll over each other to create densely packed column of aggregates. The phenomenon of
dilatancy generates high friction angles between densely packed aggregates. Stone columns are formed by inducing
vibrations in horizontal direction which results in relatively higher void ratio in between particles. Hence, friction
angle of geopier is greater that stone column friction angle.
Q: What is the thickness of the loose lifts of aggregates when using the Geopier Impact® system?
A: Typically 3 to 4 ft.
Q: What are typical values of RAP elastic modulus?
A: RAP elastic values are function of matrix soil. Depending upon the coupling, of RAP with matrix soil, technology
used, E values varies from 2,000 ksf to 6,000 ksf.
Q: What is the typical diameter of Geopier RAP elements?
A: Typical diameter of GP3 elements are 24 inch or 30 inch. For Impact its 16 inch and 20 inch.
Q: What is the difference between GP3® and stone columns? Kindly describe the working procedure of both.
A: Geopier® uses patented shaped tamping foot to compact aggregate in think lifts. Stone is compacted vertically to
a dilative state such that particles need to roll over each other to shear. The phenomenon of dilatancy generates
high friction angles for geopiers. Stone columns are formed by inducing vibrations in horizontal direction which
results in relatively higher void ratio.
Q: Can you discuss the load transfer mechanism of Geopier GP3® ? Kindly discuss GP3 is a type of stone column or it
is different? And if it is different, how?
A: Load is carried by geopier elements and matrix soil. Geopier® stiffness is higher than the matrix soil, so majority of
the load is carried by geopier elements. Geopier uses patented beveled shape tamping foot to compact aggregate in
thin lifts. Stone is compacted verically such that particles roll over each other to create densely packed column of
aggregates. The phenomenon of dilatancy generates high friction angles for geopiers. Stone columns are formed by
inducing vibrations in horizontal direction which results in relatively higher void ratio. Similar stone gradations are
used for stone columns and Geopier elements. It is the patented construction process that makes them mechanically
behave differently.

For more questions about the webinar or about Geopier® Liquefaction Mitigation,
please contact Brian Metcalfe, P.E. at bmetcalfe@geopier.com or visit geopier.com.
130 Harbour Place Drive, Suite 280, Davidson, NC 28036
800.371.7470 | info@geopier.com | marketing@geopier.com
www.geopier.com
©2020 Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. The Geopier® technology and brand names are protected under U.S. patents and trademarks listed at www.geopier.com/
patents and other trademark applications and patents pending. Other foreign patents, patent applications, trademark registrations, and trademark applications also exist.