The use of rapid impact compaction for ground improvement prior to sheet pile installation in sandy fill at the Australian Marine Complex, Henderson, WA

The use of Rapid Impact Compaction to compact the loosely placed gravelly sand fill materials available at the Australian Marine Complex south of Perth, WA is presented. A compaction trial was undertaken to assign the optimum number of passes and grid spacing. Pre and post-compaction Cone Penetration Test (CPT) results were used to confirm whether total cumulative momentum (as opposed to momentum per blow) is a better indicator of the depth of improvement achievable as compared to the traditional use of compaction energy per blow at the site. Two methodologies that describe the profile and degree of improvement are also discussed.