NUMERICAL MODELING OF GROUND VIBRATIONS DUE TO DYNAMIC COMPACTION PROCESS IN DRY SANDS

Dynamic compaction is a useful method of soil improvement especially for Granular soils. In this method, a tamper falls from a specified height on the soil to compact it. This method is developed and applied in many countries in land reclamation projects. Several researchers have worked on simulating dynamic compaction process using numerical tools and implemented solutions for prediction of the appropriate patterns of compaction. However, less attention has been paid on prediction of useful patterns of compaction considering minimum distance limitations from adjacent structures. Indeed, in reclaimed areas like petrochemical complexes and other facilities, pipelines and other structures exist which are very sensitive to the impact energy and heavy tamping. As a result, dynamic compaction should be performed considering these limitations to avoid cracking or collapse of near field structures. The criterion for considering the minimum distance of adjacent structures is dependent to the minimum soil particle velocity. In the present research, ABAQUS 6.10-1 software is used for modeling of dynamic compaction process (DC). Ground vibration measurements were carried out and result of field measurements and Numerical analysis are compared. The ability of isolation trenches on active isolation of the dynamic compaction process is also modelled and it has been indicated that the isolation trenches have low effects on reducing the soil particle velocity in adjacent structures at the range of considered parameters.