GeoConcrete (GCC) is used for very high loads in very poor soils.
Rigid Inclusions Geopier GeoConcrete® Columns (GCC)
GeoConcrete (GCC) is used for very high loads in very poor soils. GeoConcrete Columns are a rigid-inclusion approach that uses controlled, ready-mix concrete to build fast expanded base rigid inclusions with very high capacities. A special mandrel pressure vessel is used with a concrete pumping inlet, air valve and gauge, and a stone valve at the bottom end. While pumping in ready-mix concrete, and with the stone valve closed, the vertically ramming mandrel is forced into the ground to the design depth, which is typically a stiff-to-hard layer. The mandrel is then raised and redriven repeatedly with full crowd and ramming energy, extruding a belled base while improving the base soils below and around the expanded concrete bulb. The mandrel is then pulled up while extruding a column of concrete right to the surface. Factors considered during installation include the pressure on the concrete, the pressure in the air gap, the volume of concrete inserted, and the rate of vertical motion. These variables are recorded by full-time quality control staff across the entire rigid-inclusion-system installation, and are also monitored and analyzed by GeoSolv’s geotechnical engineers for consistent quality control. A load transfer cushion is then placed over groups of GCC elements, and a regular spread footing can be designed for high bearing, even in very poor soils.
How Can We Do More with GeoSolv Rigid Inclusions than Other Rigid Inclusions?
GeoSolv’s Rigid Inclusion Systems always involve sizeable vertical crowd force, vertical ramming energy, and significant lateral stress increase. This action, along with the vertical ramming and heavy crowd pressure with lateral cavity expansion, is unique to GeoSolv and creates unsurpassed system performance. These three factors are essential, as they result in a more highly engineered system with improved performance over other rigid inclusion approaches.
How Do I Know Which Rigid Inclusion to Use for My Project?
We are here to find the right solution to your soil problem. Contact us for a free review of your project details and an obligation-free proposal or feasibility study.
Installation Methodology:
Geopier GeoConcrete elements are built using a pressure vessel complete with base stone valve and upper air gauge, and air input valve. Ready-mix concrete is pumped into the mandrel with the stone valve in the closed position during the initial drive down to design depth. The mandrel is driven using full displacement while applying crowd force and vertical ramming energy. A bottom bulb is formed, and then a smaller diameter column of concrete to the surface. Groups of elements are separated from the high capacity spread footing using a load transfer cushion.
Treat very poor soils up to 16m depths using 300mm to 600mm diameter elements to obtain very high capacity while allowing for simplified foundation elements (spread footings at up to 450 kPa SLS) on a load transfer cushion.