Rigid Inclusions

In general, the word "inclusions" means a type of consolidation that improves the
strength of a soil mass through the inclusion of elements constituted by material with
better characteristics than those of the surrounding natural ground.
It is possible to identify two types of inclusions - soft and rigid - that are known and
called in different ways and that are both suitable for a wide range of applications.
Inclusions are "soft" when the material introduced into the ground has minimal (or no)
cohesive properties, whereas inclusions are "rigid" when the material introduced into the
ground has significant and permanent cohesive properties.
Soft inclusions
They usually consist of granular material such as gravel columns and piles (Geopiers,
Vibropiers). The stiffness of the material introduced is 5÷20 times higher than the one of
the surrounding natural ground, so that the applied load is distributed between the
inclusions and the on-site ground. In order to provide a vertical support, soft inclusions
need to be laterally confined by the surrounding ground. These are isolated cylindrical
elements, installed on a regular mesh, with percentages of treatment usually equal to
15÷30% of the soil volume.
Rigid inclusions
The stiffness of the material introduced is significantly higher (100÷1000 times) than the
one of the surrounding natural ground, therefore bearing the whole load. Thanks to the
high cohesion of the material, rigid inclusions do not require to be laterally confined by
the surrounding ground. Usually, smaller diameters than those of soft inclusions are
employed (from 300 to 800 mm), with percentages of treatment ranging from 2% to 15%
of the soil volume.
Rigid inclusions transfer loads through weak strata to a firm underlying stratum using
high modulus, controlled stiffness columns. Hayward Baker's teams are ready to design-
build a cost-effective rigid inclusions solution for your project.
Common Uses
Increase bearing capacity
Decrease settlement
Technical Details
A bottom-feed mandrel with a top-mounted vibrator is advanced through the weak strata
to the underlying firm stratum. Granular bearing soils experience some densification due
to displacement. Concrete or grout is then pumped through the mandrel. The mandrel
may be raised and lowered several times within the bearing depth to construct an
expanded base (if required by the design).
The mandrel is then extracted while a positive concrete head is maintained. The concrete
fills the void created by the mandrel during extraction. The top of the inclusion typically
terminates in a strong stratum or is overlain by an engineered relieving platform. The
improved performance is due to the reinforcement of the compressible strata with the
high modulus columns.
Rigid inclusions transfer loads through weak strata to a firm underlying stratum using
high modulus, controlled stiffness columns. Keller's teams are ready to design-build a
cost-effective rigid inclusions solution for your project.
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Common Uses
Increase bearing capacity
Decrease settlement
Technical Details
Keller uses two methods for the construction of Rigid Inclusions, either bottom-feed
hollow mandrel with a top-mounted vibrator or a rotary displacement auger. Both
methods result in the controlled construction of a column of concrete used to strengthen
the weak soil mass.

The mandral or auger is introduced through the working platform, loose or weak soil
strata and advanced and terminated into an underlying firm strata. Concrete or grout is
then pumped through the auger or mandrel.

The auger or mandrel is then extracted while a positive concrete head is maintained. The
concrete fills the void created by the auger or mandrel during extraction. The top of the
inclusion is typically terminated in a load transfer platform or LTP. The LTP is an
engineered granular platform that distributes the structural or soil load into the rigid
inclusions. Keller also uses the Mixed Modulus Rigid Inclusion technique that uses a
stone column cap on the rigid inclusion to improve the LTP efficiency.