NIOEC-SP-00-03(2)

DOCUMENT CODE NO. OF SHEETS: 8

PLAN/PRJ/SUB UNIT PHASE DISCIPLINE DOCUMENT. TYPE SERIAL NO. REV. NO. DATE
NIOEC 000 EG CE SP 0003 A2 JUNE 2015

NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL REFINING & DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING
& CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

NIOEC SPECIFICATION
FOR

GROUND IMPROVEMENT

SECOND EDITION

JULY, 2009

THIS SPECIFICATION IS THE PROPERTY OF NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. IT IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE OWNER. NEITHER WHOLE NOR ANY PART OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE DISCLOSED TO ANY THIRD PARTY,
REPRODUCTED, STORED IN ANY RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN
CONSENT OF THE NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
 JUNE, 2015 NIOEC-SP-00-03(2)

IN THE NAME OF GOD

FOREWORD

By their very nature, technical Specifications are continuously subject to modifications and
revisions. To strengthen their merit and usefulness, continuous improvements, addendum, deletion
of disparate information and consequently provision of updated revisions are to be made in order to
ascertain that such Specifications meet the current requirements, inclusive of Iranian Petroleum
Standards (IPS) and the recognized and acceptable national and international Standards, as well as
the optimal codes and practices based on the accumulated in-house know-how and plant knowledge
and experiences.

However, in reality, due to several reasons, not to mention the complexity of the matter, the
ultimate goal of continuous direct embedment of the required changes on the relevant
Specifications may be far reaching. Therefore, in the interim periods between the officially issued
revisions, the required changes will appear in other documents related to the engineering and design
work of the ongoing projects.

In response to the initiative of the Design and Engineering Directorate, and considering that the task
of the execution of several important and mega projects for the realization of the new oil refineries,
pipelines and oil terminals as well as improvements of the existing facilities, has been assigned to
NIOEC, it was decided to update the NIOEC Specifications and to issue new official revisions.

The Design and Engineering Directorate was itself entrusted to carry out this important task, and as
such by forming several special technical committees, working in close co-operation and cohesion
and sharing their expertise and knowledge, the updated and revised NIOEC Specifications were
successfully prepared and complied.

These Specifications are intended to be used for Oil Refineries, Distribution Depots, Oil Terminals,
Pipelines and Pump Stations within NIOEC's projects, and have been proven to be of high value
for such purposes. It must however be appreciated that these Specifications represent the minimum
requirements and should in no way be interpreted as a restriction on the use of better procedures,
engineering and design practices or materials.

We encourage and highly appreciate the users and other clear sighted and experts to send their
comments on the Specifications to the Design and Engineering Director of NIOEC for evaluation
and approval.
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REVISION INDEX
REV. REV. REV.
PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 PAGE
1 2 3 4 5 PAGE 1 2 3 4 5
1 × × 26 51
2 × × 27 52
3 × 28 53
4 × 29 54
5 × 30 55
6 × 31 56
7 × × 32 57
8 × 33 58
9 34 59
10 35 60
11 36 61
12 37 62
13 38 63
14 39 64
15 40 65
16 41 66
17 42 67
18 43 68
19 44 69
20 45 70
21 46 71
22 47 72
23 48 73
24 49 74
25 50 75

NOTES:

1) THIS SHEET IS A RECORD OF ALL REVISIONS TO THIS SPECIFICATION.

2) WHEN APPROVED EACH REVISION SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS A PART OF THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.
3) NUMBER OF PAGES EXCLUDES THIS SHEET AND THE COVER SHEET.

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2 JUNE, 2015 V.HAKIMVAND Z.GHETMIRI M.KARGAR NAJAFI A.ARMAN MOGHADAM
1 JULY, 2009 A.RAFIEAN S.M.J.SEYEDI M.R.FARZAM M.A.A.SAJEDI
0 JULY, 2005 S.M.J.SEYEDI M.R.FARZAM M.A.A.SAJEDI
REV. DATE PREPARED CHECKED APPROVED AUTHORIZED
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CONTENTS: PAGE NO.

1.SCOPE.............................................................................................................................................. 2 
2.REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 2 
3.UNITS ............................................................................................................................................... 2 
4.GENERAL ....................................................................................................................................... 2 
5.GEOTECHNICAL PROSSESS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT ........................................ 2 
5.1.General ...................................................................................................................................... 2 
5.2.Control of Ground Water ........................................................................................................ 3 
5.3.Methods of Improving the Physical Properties of the Ground ........................................... 3 
6.GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORK........................... 5 
6.1.The method statement’s scope of work shall include the following items: ......................... 5 
7.GROUND IMPROVEMENT BY DYNAMIC COMPACTION/CONSOLIDATION............. 6 
7.1.Conjunction with the General Requirement ......................................................................... 6 
8.TESTING GROUND IMPROVEMENT ...................................................................................... 7 
8.1.General ...................................................................................................................................... 7 
8.2.Particular Specification ........................................................................................................... 8 

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1. SCOPE
This specification covers the geotechnical processes and general requirements for ground
improvement and Testing.
Deviations from this Specification will only be permitted on obtaining written approval from NIOEC.
Resolution on cases not explicitly stipulated in this Specification, or on cases where conflicts may
arise among the requirements of the referenced/relevant IPS and the international standards, shall be
made through written consent and approval of NIOEC.

2. REFERENCES
The following standards, codes, and specifications, to the extent specified hereinafter, shall constitute
a part of this NIOEC Specification. Latest edition of the undated referenced documents and the cited
edition of the dated references shall apply. The applicability of changes made to the dated references,
after the cited date shall be mutually agreed upon between NIOEC and the vendor/contractor.

NIOEC SP (NIOEC SPECIFICATIONS)

NIOEC-SP-00-10 “NIOEC Specification for units”

NIOEC-SP-10-17 “NIOEC specification for soil Engineering”

BSI (BRITISH STANDARD INSTTITUTION)

BS EN 1997-1: 2004 “Geotechnical design-General rules”

3. UNITS
International system of unites (SI) shall be used in accordance with NIOEC-SP-00-10, unless
otherwise specified.

4. GENERAL
Ground improvement method based on BS EN 1997-1 and soil investigation report prepared in
accordance with NIOEC-SP-10-17 shall be submitted by Contractor in Basic Design phase and
Contractor shall provide design and construction details in Detailed Design phase.
The Contractor shall supply detailed and dimensioned layouts of the improvement points for the
approval of the Employer; such approval shall not remove the responsibility of the Contractor for the
accuracy of drawings. Each improvement points shall have a unique reference number for record
purposes.
The execution and performance of the ground improvement shall be the responsibility of the
Contractor.
Where appropriate, estimates of the total and differential settlement anticipated at the working load
shall be given by the Contractor.

5. GEOTECHNICAL PROSSESS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT

5.1. General
Several methods are available to decrease the permeability, increase the strength or decrease the
compressibility of the ground. In the following clauses a brief description of various ground
improvement techniques is given.

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5.2. Control of Ground Water

Ground water control is one of the most important foundation engineering problems. There are
many methods to control the ground water which depend, upon such factors as: the dimensions
of the excavation; the thickness and type of soil strata; the position of the excavation and
permanent structure relative to the soil strata; the magnitude of the water pressures in the various
strata; the prevention of damage to adjacent structures; the length of time for which the
excavation has to be open and the overall economics of any particular solutions.
In the following sub-clauses different methods of ground water control is discussed.

5.2.1. Gravity Drainage

Where site conditions permit, water should be drained by gravity from an excavation; this may
be possible on a sloping site where ground water can be collected in a sump in one corner on
the downhill side of the excavation, or a gravity drain can be installed to a discharge point
farther down the slope.

5.2.2. Pumping
Water may be removed from excavations by pumping from sumps, well points or deep wells.
The method adopted will depend upon soil conditions, depth of excavation below ground water
level, the method of supporting the sides of the excavation etc.
A well point is a suction device used as a small well that can be readily installed in the ground
and withdrawn.
The well point system has the advantage of low capital cost; it is quickly installed and can
readily be moved from one position to another. Deep well system is primarily devised for use
in connection with deep excavations and is of special value where artesian water is present
below an impermeable stratum.

5.2.3. Special Methods for Excluding Water from Excavation

In certain cases excluding water from excavations may be implemented by using special
methods like:
- Use of compressed air;
- Freezing the surrounding ground;
- Cast-in-situ diaphragm walls;
- Use of injection methods to form an impervious wall around the excavation;
The choice of each method depends, to a great extent, on site conditions, the soil
characteristics and the availability of technology etc.

5.3. Methods of Improving the Physical Properties of the Ground

Where the ground does not have adequate bearing characteristics and stability, consideration
may be given to general or local improvement of the bearing characteristics or to replacement of
the ground in depth. It may then be possible to use a shallow foundation or a cheaper type of
deep foundation.
Several methods are available to improve the physical properties of the ground. These methods
are:
Preloading compaction, installation of vertical drains, injection of grouts, electrochemical and
thermal hardening of the ground and etc. In the following clauses a short description about
various methods is given.

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5.3.1. Shallow Compaction

Loose or disturbed granular soils at the base of excavations for strip or pad foundations can be
compacted by rolling or ramming. Vibratory rollers or plate compactors work efficiently in
granular soils but the depth of compaction with ordinary equipment is unlikely to exceed about
300 mm.

5.3.2. Preloading
The preloading is applied by means of a mound of soil or rubble imposing a bearing pressure
on the ground equal to or higher than that of the permanent structure. The preloading material
is kept in place until level measurements show that the time-settlement curve has flattened or
that the settlement has decreased to a very slow rate.
When preloading soft clays or clay fills the rate of settlement of the mound may be rather slow,
requiring the load to be in place for many months. In such cases consideration should be given
to accelerating the rate of consolidation of the soil by the introduction of vertical drains. (See
Clause 5.3.6)

5.3.3. Deep Compaction by Vibration

The settlement due to loading of loose non-cohesive granular soils or fill materials above or
below the water table can be improved by deep compaction, achieved by introducing large
tubular vibrators into the ground to depths of up to 25 m. This process may be an economical
alternative to piling or other methods of improving the bearing capacity of such soils.
Liquefaction risk of loose soils under earthquake shocks can also be reduced by compaction.

5.3.4. Ground Improvement by Vibro-Displacement and Vibro-replacement

Large vibrators are also used to place columns of coarse granular material in soft silts or clays
or weak compressible fills with the primary objective of reducing their compressibility but also
to improve shearing resistance.
Foundations can then be constructed directly on groups or rows of these columns.
Clays strong enough to permit a stable unlined bore may be displaced by penetration of the
vibrator which is then removed to allow gravel or stone to be tipped and compacted by the
vibrator in about 1 m stages to fill the hole.
Some forced compaction of the ground surrounding the column is achieved; this is known as
vibro-displacement.
In soft unstable soils, water circulation is used to support the bore as in wash boring.

5.3.5. Deep compaction by heavy tamping

This process is for compacting granular soils and silts or mixtures of these including a large
variety of fills. It may also be employed to displace soft organic soils with a stronger fill.
It involves simply dropping a free-falling weight, usually of 10 t to 15 t, from heights varying
between 5 m and 25 m or more onto the ground surface. Forced compaction results from
dissipation of energy of successive impulses inducing a degree of irreversible compression of
void spaces and correspondingly elevated pore fluid pressure which have to dissipate before
improved soil strength is realized.

5.3.6. Vertical Drains

The natural process of consolidation of compressible soils can be accelerated by improving the

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drainage conditions within the soils, so assisting in the outward migration of the water.
If such soils are loaded on their surface by a temporary surcharge or permanent work such as
an embankment, the water pressure in the underlying soil will increase. If the water cannot
escape sufficiently quickly a dangerous stability condition could arise, which in some cases
can be relieved by a reduced rate of forming the surcharge.
This condition can be anticipated and exploited to accelerate drainage of the compressible soils
by installing vertical columns of sand or strips of preformed permeable material within the
ground to enable the excess water to escape more rapidly. These columns are called sand
drains, vertical drains or wick drains, and are frequently considered for improving the strength
of the soil.

5.3.7. Electro-Osmosis
The electro-osmosis system can be used to reduce the moisture content of a very silty clay or
clayey silt and thus increase its shear strength and reduce its compressibility.
It consists of an electrical potential to drive the water to negative electrodes at the wells, using
expandable metal rods as the positive electrodes.
Electro-osmosis has been employed to remedy a difficult situation where other methods have
failed.

5.3.8. Grouting
Grouting is used to reduce the permeability of the ground or to improve its strength, or to do
both.
The geology of the ground will influence the choice of method of grouting and it is axiomatic
that no treatment can be properly considered until an adequate site investigation of the relevant
ground and water conditions has been undertaken.
Possible variations in the nature of the ground on any particular site may call for the use of
more than one grout. For example, saving may be effected by using cheaper coarse grouts to
fill the larger voids, followed by a more expensive penetrative grout to fill the remaining fine
voids.

6. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORK

6.1. The method statement’s scope of work shall include the following items:
6.1.1. At the commencement of the contract The Contractor shall provide a detailed method
statement. This shall include a program giving full details of both type and quantity of all the
plant he proposes to use, the order of carrying out the work and where not already specified by
the Employer, the detailed and dimensioned layout of the ground improvement, type and
frequency of the proposed control testing and where applicable, the anticipated ground heave
after improvement.

6.1.2. The sources of supply of materials shall be approved by the Employer and shall not be changed
without prior approval of the Employer in writing.

6.1.3. Rejected materials shall be removed promptly from the site.

6.1.4. Before the start of the work factual information or reports on site investigation for the works
will be made available to the Contractor.

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6.1.5. The Contractor shall report immediately to the Employer any circumstance which in the
contractor’s opinion indicates that the ground conditions differ from those expected by him
from his interpretation of the site investigation report.

6.1.6. The Contractor shall satisfy the Employer regarding the suitability, efficiency and adequacy of
equipment to be employed. The Contractor shall state the type and number of rigs be intends to
use.

6.1.7. On completion of each area of ground improvement the Contractor shall grade debris and
surplus material arising from the ground improvement to leave a reasonable firm and level
working surface.

6.1.8. The Contractor shall remove all plant and unwanted material from site on completion of the
improvement to the satisfaction of the Employer.

6.1.9. The Contractor shall provide and maintain bench marks throughout the duration of the works.

6.1.10. All improvement points shall be located to the allowable tolerances.

6.1.11. The Contractor shall inform the Employer at regular mutually agreed intervals of the forward
program of ground improvement.

6.1.12. The Contractor shall arranged the sequence and timing of works to ensure that damage does
not occur to treated ground by any subsequent work.

6.1.13. If during the execution of the work damage is or is likely to be caused to main services or
adjacent structures, the Contractor shall inform the Employer of his proposals for avoidance
or repair of such damage.

7. GROUND IMPROVEMENT BY DYNAMIC COMPACTION/CONSOLIDATION

7.1. Conjunction with the General Requirement
The following clauses shall be read in conjunction with the general requirement for ground
improvement given in section 5 of this specification.
7.1.1. The following matters are where appropriate, described in the Particular Specification:
(a) Materials
(b) Design loads and settlement criteria
(c) Method of improvement
(d) Depth of improvement
(e) Area of improvement

7.1.2. Material
The Contractor shall supply where required prior to and during improvement, a suitable
granular layer of adequate thickness which shall be placed over the site to provide a firm dry
working surface. The granular material used shall be inert and free of clay and organic
material. All particles with any dimension greater than 200mm shall be discarded.

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The material used by the Contractor for filling to make up ground levels to the working surface
prior to improvement shall be inert granular material capable of passing through a 200 mm ring
with not more than 10% passing the 75 μm sieve.

7.1.3. Improvement shall be carried out by repeated tamping on a pre determines pattern with drop
heights appropriately chosen to ensure compaction to the full depth. In addition, there shall be
an adequate area or improvement outside the periphery of the proposed structure to ensure
long-term stability. If a change in pattern of tamping, drop heights or total amount of energy is
required it shall be carried out without delay and unless resulting from unforeseen conditions,
without cost to the Employer.

7.1.4. The tamper should be dropped within 500mm of the grid positions shown on the drawings for
each grids spacing.

7.1.5. The Contractor shall keep daily records of the improvement carried out and shall submit signed
copies of these records to the Employer in accordance with procedure already approved by
Employer, The records shall show:
(a) Area improvement
(b) Date
(c) Weight of tamper
(d) Height of drop
(e) Number of drops at each compaction point
(f) Depth of imprint
(g) Obstructions and delays
(h) Number and type of tests carried out
(i) Quantity of imported backfill
(j) Readings of installed instruments

7.1.6. Grids levels shall be taken by the Contractor before improvement commencement, at intervals
during the improvement process and on completion. The records of these levels shall be
submitted to the Employer in accordance with procedure already approved by Employer.

7.1.7. The Contractor shall keep the site clear of surface water.

7.1.8. In saturated low-permeability ground with a high water table, particular care shall be taken to
prevent excessive rise in pore water pressures and any liquefaction of the ground caused by
over tamping.

7.1.9. Where ground improvement is being applied to the sub grades for road bases or ground floor
slabs, the ground near the surface shall be compacted either by tamping or by rolling.

8. TESTING GROUND IMPROVEMENT

8.1. General
All materials and workmanship shall be in accordance with this Specification. .
This clause deals with the testing of treated ground for control purposes during the progress of
the improvement and to provide information show that the required criteria have been met on
completion of the ground improvement.

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The standards for acceptance of the work as represented by various tests shall be deemed to have
been attained if the results conform to the criteria in the particular specification and/or as
determined following completion of preliminary improvement.

8.2. Particular Specification

The following matters are, where appropriate, described in the particular specification:
(a) Working area
(b) Test programmer
(c) Types of test
(d) Proof load and settlement acceptance criteria
(e) Accuracy of measurement
(f) Special instrumentation
(g) Frequency of readings
(h) Removal of test equipment