Method Statement PAGE 1 OF 15

For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PURPOSE

2. SCOPE

3. REFERENCES

4. DEFINITIONS

5. RESPONSIBILITY

6. EQUIPMENT

7. GENERAL REQUIREMENT

8. DYNAMIC COMPACTION

9. DYNAMIC REPLACEMENT

10. STONE COLUMN

11. INSPECTION AND TEST

12. SAFETY ACTION PLAN

APPENDIX1 – WORK PHOTO (SAMPLE)

APPENDIX2 – Procedure of Trial DC/DR

APPENDIX3 – Procedure of Trial SC

APPENDIX4 – Ground Improvement Design Report

Method Statement PAGE 2 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

1. PURPOSE
This method statement is to describe and explain the methodology involved in soil improvement work
in general, detailing out of the steps to be taken to meet the requirement of MIP06 ONSHORE OIL
FACILITIES PROJECT, Saudi Arabia. The CONTRACTOR reserve his right to adapt the method used
in accordance with the site needs and arrangement.

2. SCOPE
This covers all soil improvement activities. This describes the requirements of quality, HSE, material
and methodology.

The scope of work is stated hereunder

- Dynamic Compaction
- Dynamic Replacement
- Stone Column

3. REFERENCES
All design, engineering, material and construction shall conform to the latest requirements of local &
national standards, regulations and the following reference documents. Latest edition at the time of
contract award shall be applicable.

Any conflicts between the following references shall brought to the attention of the COMPANY for final
decision.

3.1 COMPANY Standards

SABP-A-073 Dynamic Compaction Design and Quality Control
SABP-A-074 Dynamic Replacement Design and Quality Control
SABP-Q-012 Vibro Stone Column Design and Quality Control
SAES-A-113 Geotechnical Engineering Requirements

3.2 Project Document

M97-A-CE-021402-001 Geotechnical Investigation Report
M97-S-CA-021404-001 Soil Improvement Layout(1)
M97-S-CA-021404-002 Soil Improvement Layout(2)

4. DEFINITIONS
COMPANY

CONTRACTOR

COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE: COMPANY’s authorized representative with overall authority and

responsibility for the project
Method Statement PAGE 3 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

5. RESPONSIBILITY

5.1 PROJECT MANAGER

- Ensure compliance by all personnel involved to this procedure.
- Arrange for all required resources (manpower, equipment & materials)
- Ensure that any and all contractual obligations are satisfactorily complied with and
delivered on time.

5.2 SITE MANAGER

- Reporting to the Project Manager
- Actual implementation of this procedure.
- Ensure that works are performed on a timely manner and in compliance with the
approved procedures, specifications, drawings and all relevant industry codes and
standards.
- Coordinate with Project Manager for the determination of problems that may arise during
construction.

5.3 QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER

- Ensure compliance by all site personnel to this procedure, Project Quality Plan, Saudi
Aramco Typical Inspection Plan (SATIP) and relevant Client’s Specifications, Drawings
and Industry Codes.

5.4 ENGINEER
- Charge of the construction shall be responsible for completing documentation and
implementation of this procedure.

5.5 SAFETY SUPERVISOR

Responsible for safety execution of work and be focusing mainly on the following job safety
compliance
- Ensure all working activities comply with the established safety rules, regulations and
procedure as safe working practices.
- To provide instruction on task and responsibility for safe and correct working practices
and tool box talk.
- Housekeeping should be observed on regular basis to maintain clean and tidy working
environmental.
- Any near miss, accident should be reported to Safety Engineer, Safety Manager, or
Construction manager, immediately and submit report recommending actions to be taken
to prevent recurrence

5.6 CIVIL SUPERVISOR

Supervisor/Foreman shall be responsible directly on his assigned task to leas his
people/workers.
- Conduct safety briefing prior to commence daily activities and give information and
guidance to newly hired workers.
- Report accident, unsafe conditions and defects in equipment to immediate superiors.
Method Statement PAGE 4 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

6. EQUIPMENT

Certified equipment shall be mobilized at site in good running conditions. It shall be double checked
by concerned personnel prior to actual use. The equipment list which is provisional are as follows:
- The Model of each equipment except for DC machine, Vibroflot and the number of equipment
shall be adjusted as per the site condition.

Equipment Model Capacity Quantity Remark

YTQH650B 650T*M
DC machine 3
YTQH450B 450T*M
Vibroflot BJV-75E-377 75KW 2
Crawler crane HITACHI SCX550E 55T 1
Shovel loader CAT-950 3m3 1
Generator Perkins 500KVA 500KVA 1
Bulldozer CAT-D6 20T 1
Excavator CAT 320 20T 1
Tipper truck Volvo FMX 460 25-35m3 15

7. GENERAL REQUIREMENT

7.1 Bearing Capcity

- Stone Column : 150kPa ~ 200kPa
- Dynamic Compaction/Replacement : 200kPa

7.2 Settlement
- Mat foundation : 50mm
- Isolated and strip footings : 25mm

7.3 Soil Improvement Layout (as per Ground Improvement Design Report in Appendix-4)

As per SABP-A-073 ‘Dynamic Compaction Design and Quality Control’, Dynamic

Compaction should not be undertaken to a distance of, at least, 30m from the closest existing
Method Statement PAGE 5 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

8. DYNAMIC COMPACTION

8.1 DESIGN PARAMETER

Design parameter of dynamic compaction should be provided based on the trial(s) results
engineering shop drawings of the dynamic compaction layout demonstrating the position of
every grid point with an exclusive reference number.

The trial parameters/location/procedure are described in Appendix-2 ‘Procedure of Trial

DC/DR’ based on the ground improvement design report in Appendix-4. When result of post-
test on trial meets the requirement, it will be considered that the proposed parameters are
acceptable and work will start as per the Ground Improvement Design Report.

8.1.1 Dynamic Compaction Energy

Usually, three phases of impact will be conducted. In the first phase, impact points
are compacted with relatively large spacing and intermediate impact energy. In
the second phase, compaction is carried out between the impact points of the first
phase and the impact energy can be increased. Finally, in the third phase (levelling
compaction), the whole impacted zone is compaction with a relatively low impact
energy.

1st phase DC
DC rigs installation

2nd phase DC
Positioning of DC
point

Leveling phase

Dynamic
compaction

Figure 1 Construction process of dynamic compaction

8.1.2 Controlling Parameter

In dynamic compaction, compaction hammer is lifted to and then released from a
high position. The height is designed according to the required compaction energy
intensity. The spacing of the impact points and the unit energy, phasing & rest
periods, depend on the soil types and level of improvement required. Therefore,
trial test is recommended.
Method Statement PAGE 6 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

Figure 2 Dynamic compaction procedures

8.1.3 Point Layout

Usually, the arrangement of the impact points for the first and second phases
followed a square-grid pattern at designed spacing, center to center. In the third
phase, the compaction print will overlap mutually

(a) First and second phase compaction

(b) Third phase compaction

Figure 3 Dynamic compaction point layout
Method Statement PAGE 7 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

8.2 WORK PROCEDURE

The procedures are shown in the following figure and explained below.

Preparation works

Survey Entry of DC rig

Position and level DC Rig

Measure hammer elevation

Raise hammer

Cycling
Release hammer
Measure hammer elevation
Cycling

Move the next impact point

Level the ground

Measure elevation

Next phase compaction

Figure 4 Dynamic compaction procedures

8.2.1 Survey and mark the dynamic compaction points.

8.2.2 Position the dynamic compaction rig and place the hammer at the impact point.

8.2.3 Measure the elevation of the hammer before compaction.

8.2.4 Raise the hammer to design height and release the hook to allow the hammer to
fall down free.

8.2.5 Measure the elevation of the hammer after compaction. If the bottom of the pit is
inclined, level the bottom prior to next compaction. If the pit is too deep to raise
the hammer but there is not significant surface heave, backfill the pit to surface
level and continue compaction.

8.2.6 Repeat procedure (5) and (6) to finish designed times of compaction at one point.

8.2.7 Repeat procedure (3) to (7) to finish compaction for one phase.

8.2.8 Level the ground with bulldozer after completion of one phase compaction.

8.2.9 Measure ground elevation and accordingly adjust compaction parameters for the
next phase compaction.

8.2.10 Repeat procedure (1) to (9) to complete all dynamic compaction work.
Method Statement PAGE 8 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

9. DYNAMIC REPLACEMENT

9.1 DESIGN PARAMETER

Design parameter of dynamic compaction should be provided based on the trial(s) results
engineering shop drawings of the dynamic compaction layout demonstrating the position of
every grid point with an exclusive reference number

The trial parameters/location/procedure are described in Appendix-2 ‘Procedure of Trial

DC/DR’ based on the ground improvement design report in Appendix-4. When result of post-
test on trial meets the requirement, it will be considered that the proposed parameters are
acceptable and work will start as per the Ground Improvement Design Report.

The construction parameters below are provisional :

9.1.1 Dynamic Replacement Stone-piers

- Spacing : 4.5m
- Depth : 4m ~ 5m
- Diameter : Not less than 1.6m

9.1.2 Dynamic energy : 3000-4000kN.m

9.1.3 Drops : 10 ~ 15 blows/point

9.2 WORK PROCEDURE

Dynamic replacement is an extension of dynamic compaction to highly compressible (such
as soft clays, silt, etc.) where large diameter columns of very dense granular material are
constructed by dropping heavy pounders from great heights onto the soft soil. Columns are
formed by filling the tamping pit using granular fill material（usually crushed stones）and
driven into the soil below by repeated tamping.

This method combines the advantages from both Dynamic Compaction and Stone Columns
techniques by creating large sized granular columns with high stiffness and internal shear
resistance and overall improvement of mechanical characteristics of the intermediate soil.

The construction sequence could be divided into 6 main steps and detailed explanation shall
be found below:

9.2.1 Mark the position of ramming point and measure the elevation of site.

9.2.2 The crane moves in place and the rammer is placed at the ramming point.

9.2.3 Measure the elevation of rammer top before ramming.

9.2.4 Tamp and record the crater depth of each tamping; When the tamping pit is too
deep for the rammer to be hoisted, Stop tamping and fullfil the tamping pit, record
the quantity of filling; Repeat the process until the design tamping times and
quality control standards are met;

9.2.5 Complete the construction of all tamping point. Tamp from inside to outside or
interlacing if necessary.

9.2.6 After levelling the site, surface compaction in low energy will be carried out to
Method Statement PAGE 9 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

desify the loose soil on the surface of the site, and then measure the elevation of
the site after compaction.

Figure 5 Dynamic Replacement Construction

10. STONE COLUMN

10.1 DESIGN PARAMETER
The trial parameters/location/procedure are described in Appendix-2 ‘Procedure of Trial
DC/DR’ based on the ground improvement design report in Appendix-4. When result of post-
test on trial meets the requirement, it will be considered that the proposed parameters are
acceptable and work will start as per the Ground Improvement Design Report.

The construction parameters below are provisional :

10.1.1 Diameter of stone column : 0.8m ~ 1.0m

10.1.2 The length of stone column : 3.0m ~ 5.0m

10.1.3 Spacing in a square pattern : 3.0m ~ 3.3m

10.1.4 Material
Filling Material
Approved material as per SABP-Q-012
Water
Construction Water, Groundwater and Seawater
Method Statement PAGE 10 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

10.2 WORK PROCEDURE

Stone columns are cylindrical columns made below ground level which comprises of granular
material of large size varying from 20 to 100mm. Firstly, a hole is made in the soft deposit by
different techniques and then the hole will be filled with stones to form the complete column.
When a structure is placed over the area treated by stone columns, majority of the load could
be borne by stone columns

The installation sequence could be divided into 5 main steps and detailed explanation shall
be found below:

10.2.1 Preparation works

- Mark the location and boundary of the working area by surveyor and set up
temporary facilities.

10.2.2 Surveying
- Mark the location of the stone column as shown in the approved shop drawings
by the site surveyor.
- Positional tolerance for stone column is 150mm.

10.2.3 Positioning of SC Rig

- Position the SC Rig in the construction site and adjust the vibrator to aim at the
penetration point.
- The verticality shall be maintained by operator during subsequent installation
phase.

10.2.4 Lower the vibrator to form cavity

- Start the vibrator to allow it to penetrate into the soil slowly. The penetration is
achieved by vibration, self-weight, downward force.
- Observe the electric current variation; keep the penetration speed of vibrator
around 2m/min until it reaches the designed depth of treatment. The terminating
depth of stone column could be determined by either a sudden increase of
current or the start of obvious vertical vibration of rigs. (Normally, the vibrator is
just able to vibrate horizontally unless rock layer is encountered.).
- Record the time, current and depth during penetration

10.2.5 Feed aggregates to form stone column

- The stone column is installed in intervals. In each interval, the vibro probe is
lifted 1.2-1.5m to allow aggregates to fill the space formed by vibration.
- Compact the fill by vibration. The position of the vibrator shall be estimated and
controlled based on stone column diameter and aggregate consumption. When
the current reaches the regulated compaction current, keep vibrating for
regulated time to complete the installation in this depth interval.
- Repeat (a) and (b) until the completion of one stone column.
- Record the depth, lifting length, the volume of aggregates in each depth
interval, vibratory power consumption over time, and duration of compaction.
Method Statement PAGE 11 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

Figure 6 Stone Column Construction

10.2.6 Mud Disposal

- Small amounts of mud may be generated in the installation process due to
water jetting system. It will be collected and disposed properly.

11. INSPECTION AND TEST

Verification tests will be carried on after the ground treatment to guarantee the requirements are met.

11.1 Cone Penetration Tests Sounding

Cone Penetration Tests shall be carried out for every 2500 m2of surface area subjected to
ground improvement. The tests will be carried out as per relevant ASTM or BS Specifications
at locations and to depths agreed with the Engineer.

11.2 Plate Load Test

Plate load test shall be carried out for every 3000 m2 of surface area subjected to ground
improvement. The tests will be carried out as per relevant ASTM or BS Specifications at
locations agreed with the Engineer.

11.3 Verification Test for Dynamic Compaction / Dynamic Replacement

No. Test and location quantity Remarks
Preliminary test area 1 post
1 CPT 1point/2500m2
DC/DR area 70 pre-and 70 post
2 PLT Preliminary test area 1 post -

11.4 Verification Test for Stone Column

No. Test and location Quantity Remarks
Preliminary test area 1 post
1 PLT 1point/3000m2
SC area 10 post
Method Statement PAGE 12 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

12. SAFETY ACTION PLAN

Detailed Job Safety Analysis (JSA) shall be submitted and approved prior to work start.

Safety measure during the execution of work shall be strictly implemented and observed.
CONTRACTOR’s safety team shall by then without excuses to implement the safety rules, regulation
and ensure that all personnel involved in the execution of work with full understating of it.
The following requirement are to be checked regularly but not limited to:

- All personnel should wear proper PPE.

- Install necessary signage and other precautionary measures.
- Ensure permit has provided
- Restricted access control to the working area
- Certified equipment should be used at site
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in the warehouse, and no kind of fire is allowed in the warehouse
- The oxygen cylinder and acetylene cylinder shall be stored separately according to safety
management requirements. Do not use tools that may cause Mars in the storage area.
- The stacking of goods should comply with the "five distances": ceiling distance, lamp distance,
wall distance, column distance, and stack distance.
- The warehouse should be equipped with sufficient fire-fighting equipment, and the fire-fighting
equipment should be checked regularly and replaced regularly.
- No office, locker room, or occupant is allowed in the warehouse, and it is not allowed to be used
as a processing yard. Oily and wet cotton fabrics are not allowed to accumulate in the
warehouse to prevent spontaneous combustion
- Conducts practical demonstrations, and checks the construction situation and quality of the
team every day
Method Statement PAGE 13 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
Work

[APPENDIX 1] –Work Photo (Sample)

A. Dynamic Compaction/Replacement
Method Statement PAGE 14 OF 15
For REV A2
Soil Improvement
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B. Stone Column