Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Ground improvement by compaction pilling is widely used to increase the resistance of loose sands tox000D
liquefaction. Better understanding of seismic risk and the increasingly severe design criteria in modern designx000D
codes have led to a need for technically and cost efficient approaches to remediation of existing infrastructure.x000D
Experience during remediation of the Mission Bridge in Abbotsford, B.C., using driven piles, indicated that thex000D
shape of piles used for densification had a marked effect on the degree of improvement achieved. Field testx000D
results showed that cylindrical concrete piles were much less effective than tapered timber piles forx000D
densification. This has shown a gap in our understanding of soil improvement by compaction piling. As such,x000D
there is a strong need to undertake further research to advance knowledge on this front. Working with anx000D
industry collaborator, a comprehensive research program on this subject is proposed. The projected researchx000D
project will investigate the reasons for the apparent greater effectiveness of tapered piles compared tox000D
cylindrical piles for the compaction of sands. It will build on work carried out elsewhere to study thex000D
soil-structure interaction mechanism governing the behaviour of tapered piles and pile groups under axialx000D
loading. It will focus on the different soil deformation mechanisms created by cylindrical and tapered pilesx000D
during pile installation. Highly qualified personnel will be trained during this work, thus adding to expertise onx000D
ground improvement by compaction piling in Canada. The research outcomes will be of direct high-valuex000D
applicability to the Company and will improve understanding of ground treatment techniques for improving thex000D
ground supporting new and existing infrastructure. It will also improve the cost-effectiveness of treatment. Thex000D
project will also build a strong new working relationship with the applicant and an industry collaborator. Thisx000D
investigation will lead to journal publications and will contribute to the ground improvement industry.