Technology Fact Sheet
DEEP DYNAMIC COMPACTION
November 2012
Schematic of Dynamic Compaction
(after Lukas (1995))
Basic Function
Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC) densifies marginal ma-
terials using high levels of impact energy at the surface.
Advantages:
Suitable for many types of soils with less than 15% fines
Low cost for large area of improvement
Ability to measure improvement
Many available contractors
Simple equipment
Produces relatively uniform compressibility
General Description:
DDC applies energy by raising and dropping a tamper
(weight) repeatedly from a height of 30 to 120 feet. The
energy densifies the soil to depths that increase with
the magnitude of the energy. The ground surface is then
compacted with a smaller, broader tamper or conventional
compaction equipment.
R02 GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT,
RAPID EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION,
AND STABILIZATION OF PAVEMENT WORKING PLATFORM
http://www.GeoTechTools.org
Geologic Applicability:
Loose pervious and semi-pervious soils with fines con-
tents less than 15%
Materials containing large voids
Soil improvement to a maximum depth of about 30 to 35
feet
Not recommended for silty or clayey soils
Effective in soils above or below the groundwater table
(Note: Water table should be 6 feet below grade; fill can
be placed above a high groundwater site to achieve this
distance.)
Construction Methods:
A tamper with a weight of 5 to 40 tons is dropped using
a crane from a height of 30 to 120 feet. The tamper is
dropped in a systematically controlled pattern on a coor-
dinate grid layout. The impacts are spaced at a distance
depending on the depth of the compressible layer, the
depth to the groundwater, and grain size distribution. Five
to 15 blows per grid point are applied. The first phase is the
high-energy phase to improve the deeper layers. This is
followed by a low-energy phase to densify the upper layers. Alternate Technologies:
In the low-energy phase, the tamper is only raised 15 to 20
Excavation and replacement, sand compaction columns,
feet. Backfilling the craters and additional passes may be
vibrocompaction, blasting densification, aggregate col-
required.
umns, and deep foundation systems.

Additional Information: Potential Disadvantages:

Proximity of groundwater or excessive crater depths limit
the number of blows at each grid point. In saturated soils
with some fines (less than 15% fines), the compaction may
create excess pore water pressure that reduces the effec-
tiveness of compaction unless the pressure is dissipated.
DDC is more economical than other technologies for large
area ground improvements.
SHRP2 Applications:
Embankment and roadway construction over unstable
soils
Roadway and embankment widening
Example Successful Applications:
Densification of Loose Pockets & Voids FL
Study Site Charleston, SC
Complementary Technologies:
Prefabricated vertical drains (without fill preloading) to
dissipate pore water pressures and permit densification of
soils with higher fines content
Mobilization costs
Large ground vibrations and lateral displacements
Limited effective treatment depth
Some safety concerns
Key References for this Fact Sheet:
Elias, V., Welsh, J., Warren, J., Lukas, R., Collin, J. G., and
Berg, R. R. (2006). Ground Improvement Methods-Volume
I. Federal Highway Administration Publication No. NHI-06-
020.
Lukas, R.G. (1986). Dynamic Compaction for Highway
Construction Volume I: Design and Construction Guide-
lines. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Admin., Washington, D.C., FHWA/RD-86/133.
Lukas, R.G. (1995). Dynamic Compaction Geotechnical
Engineering Circular No. 1, U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.,
FHWA-SA-95-037.

R02 GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT,

RAPID EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION,
AND STABILIZATION OF PAVEMENT WORKING PLATFORM