GEOPIER® Systems 
- Serving Northern California with Geopier Ground Improvement
Geopier installation
Farrell installing uplift Geopier at the Regent Hotel in Stockton, CA.
Uplift RAP load test
ISD WWTP, Oakley (pdf) - "This project was particularly challenging before vertical construction could begin with the loose sand conditions to depths of 30 feet. Farrell installed an innovative vibratory, displacement, ground improvement method to improve the density of the sand and increase the bearing capacity of the soil. Farrell used the displacement Rammed Aggregate Pier system known as Impact pier. It worked great." Micah Addison, Project Manager, Western Water Constructors
- RAMMED. Vertically Rammed + Heavy Crowd Force are the keys to providing unmatched strength and stiffness. RAP = Rammed Aggregate Pier®
- STRONG. Impact hammer ramming of thin lifts of rock results in higher density and higher strength ground improvement that increases bearing capacity and reduces liquefaction potential. Increase soil strength to RESIST lateral forces, uplift forces, seismic settlement, and liquefaction hazards caused by earthquakes.
- HIGH STIFFNESS. Heavy vertical crowd plus impact ramming onto thin lifts of crushed rock results in high RAP stiffness for reliable settlement control. Engineered and designed for specific soil conditions for optimum/reliable foundation support.
- PROVEN. Over a decade of performance in California. Over 3,000 projects supported in the US and across the world ensures you are selecting a reliable and effective foundation-support solution.
- ECONOMICAL. Cost savings is often 20% or more compared to driven piles, concrete piers, and excavate/replace.
- FAST. Rapid installation process = shorter construction schedules. Install 30 to 50 RAPs per day!
- SAFE. Design-build customer service reduces your budget risk by giving you a complete proven solution on a lump sum basis. Designed by California Registered Professional Engineers with over 30 years of combined foundation experience.
- Geopier = drilled replacement rammed aggregate pier
- Impact pier = vibro-rod displacement rammed aggregate pier
Liquefaction Mitigation, Settlement Control, and Increase Soil Bearing
Geopier systems provide ground improvement in a number of ways such as 1) increased soil density, 2) increased soil bearing capacity, 3) improved liquefaction resistance, and 4) reduced soil compressiblity.
The simple aspect of improving poor soil with rammed aggregate is a revolutionary engineering concept and construction method. Ramming forces expand the aggregate pier to increase the adjacent soil density and compaction. By virtue of soil improvement by the ramming process, poor soils are improved to support shallow footings and mats, soil compressibility is controlled, and liquefaction potential is reduced.
Geopier & Impact Pier Info Sheets and Papers
- What is a Geopier? (pdf) What is an Impact pier? (pdf)
- Geopier BART Flyer (pdf) Geopier Regent Flyer (pdf)
- Geopier @ HWY 880-92 (pdf)
- RAP Settlement Case History (Majchrzak, Lew, Sorenson, Farrell 2004) (pdf)
- SEAOCC RAP Design & Construction Paper (Farrell, Taylor 2004) (pdf)
- RAP Uplift Testing (Farrell, Fitzpatrick, Kenney 2008) (pdf)
- RAP Noise & Vibration at Cal Poly (Fiegel, Farrell 2008) (pdf)
Choose Geopier systems for improved ground in soft clay, loose sand, urban fill and most soil conditions present in California and the west coast. With Geopier systems the "vertical ramming" makes the difference. Contact us today for a feasibility analysis or project bid.
