Geopier Ground Improvement System

Common Ground Improvement Systems

Geopier Compared to Earthwork - overexcavation/replacement

Compare	overex / replace	*GEOPIER^®*
System Type.	Ground Improvement	Ground Improvement
Why use?	Traditional method to stiffen soft shallow soil. Performed during grading – schedule driven, high weather risks.	Efficient method to stiffen and improve soft shallow to deep soil and fills. Lower costs, quick installation, and reliable.
Foundation Type	Large area shallow strip and spread footings.	Small area shallow strip and spread footings.
Efficiency of Improvement	Low to Medium - allows for bearing pressures of 3,000 to 5,000 psf.	High - allows for bearing pressures of 6,000 to 10,000 psf.
When used	Loads are light to moderate and less than 4 feet of soil can be improved to reduce settlement.	Loads are moderate to heavy and settlement control is necessary. Uniform settlement control is required.
Construction Procedure	Use heavy grading equipment, scrapers and dozers, to excavate a massive volume of soil to specified depth. Recompact soil or aggregate into excavated pit.	Drill a drilled shaft and remove compressible soil; use 25 ton Rammer Hammer to ram aggregate back into excavated shaft, creates very stiff Geopier element.
Construction Scheduling	Usually performed during the grading permit. Impacted by rainy season.	Performed during grading permit and/or building permit. Quicker than overexcavation.
Materials Used.	Inconsistent - Native onsite soil, high moisture, imported soil and aggregate.	Always consistent - imported aggregate.
Associated Risks.	Deeper excavation due to poor soil conditions at specified depth. Unstable pit bottom, requiring stabilization. Excavation through groundwater horizon. RAIN can kill project, huge risk. Incorrect or changed layout.	Low risk potential. Possible caving soil would increase schedule only. Incorrect or changed layout.
Environmental Impact.	High disturbance. Large grading equipment moving fast creates DUST. Loud construction equipment. Massive volume of soil disturbed and exposed; higher potential for contamination.	Low disturbance. Low dust potential with bobcats and excavator. Tapping of hammer – quieter construction. Small volume of soil disturbed, low potential for contamination.

685 PLACERVILLE DRIVE | PLACERVILLE CA 95667

(530) 621-4867 | (530) 621-4837 fax

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