APPLICATIONS

FLOOR SLABS • LIQUEFACTION/SEISMIC •

FOUNDATIONS • BIOFUEL FACILITIES • RAILROAD • WIND TURBINES • TRANSPORTATION
• INDUSTRIAL TANKS
Rammed Aggregate Pier™ Foundation Systems

Central Corridor Railroad Grade Separation, Wichita, KS

The Geopier® Construction Process
Geopier® Rammed Aggregate Pier (RAP) elements are constructed by drilling a cavity and ramming select
crushed stone into the cavity in thin lifts. Geopier construction results in very dense aggregate piers used to
reinforce soft soils and support embankments and walls, foundations and railroad tracks.

1 The process first involves drilling a cavity. Drill depths normally range
from about 7 to 30 feet, depending on design requirements. Pre-
drilling allows you to visually inspect the soil between the borings,
allowing the piers to reinforce the right soils.

2 Layers of aggregate are placed into the cavity in thin lifts of one-
foot compacted thickness. A patented beveled tamper rams each
layer of aggregate using vertical impact ramming energy, resulting
in superior strength and stiffness. The tamper densifies aggregate
vertically and forces aggregate laterally into cavity sidewalls. This
results in excellent coupling with surrounding soils and highly
reliable settlement control.

3 Following installation, the Rammed Aggregate Pier (RAP) System

reinforces slopes and embankments and supports shallow
foundations. Embankment and rail loads are concentrated to the
stiff piers, resulting in engineered settlement control and improved
stability.

800.371.7470
www.geopier.com T H E I N T E R M E D I AT E F O U N DAT I O N ™ T E C H N O L O GY
 FLOOR SLABS • LIQUEFACTION/SEISMIC •
FOUNDATIONS • BIOFUEL FACILITIES • RAILROAD • WIND TURBINES • TRANSPORTATION
• INDUSTRIAL TANKS

Embankment/Retaining Wall Stability

The stiff piers exhibit a high friction angle, ranging from 49 to 52
degrees. The high friction angle increases the stability of earthen
embankments, improves wall stability and stabilizes failing slopes.

Track Support
The Rammed Aggregate Pier System is installed to support sections
of track and improve track performance. RAPs are used to reduce
deflection of tracks and improve the transition zones between railroad Union Pacific Track Stabilization, Cedar Rapids, IA
bridges and embankments. The rapid installation process reduces
downtime for maintenance while providing a superior solution for
stabilization of existing track.

Settlement Control
The high stiffness of RAPs reduces embankment settlement. The
RAPs are also used for drainage when constructed from open-graded
stone. This reduces the time rate of settlement and eliminates lengthy
preload periods. The reduction in settlement magnitude and duration
eliminates the need for staged embankment construction and reduces
overall construction schedules.

SE Iowa Railroad Embankment

Rammed Aggregate Pier™
Foundation System
Advantages
INCREASES
shear resistance - bearing capacity - stability

MINIMIZES
downtime for track maintenance/stabilization

SOLVES
slope failures
Railroad Embankment Settlement Control
ACCELERATES
settlement + construction schedule

OFTEN RESULTS
in 20% to 50% savings

REDUCES
track settlement

Support of Existing Track

150 Fairview Road, Suite 335 • Mooresville, NC 28117 • P: 704.799.3185 • 800.371.7470

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