Bottom Feed Vibroflotation (Vibro Replacement Stone Column) is a soil improvement technology by which vertical columns of compacted gravel are created within the soil mass.
This method enables the formation of load-bearing gravel or crushed-stone columns in cohesive soils, as well as in granular soils with high silt and clay content.
The Vibro Replacement technique can be used to improve a wide range of soil types, from very soft clays and peat to materials that are only marginally suitable for vibro-compaction.
The equipment used for Bottom Feed Vibroflotation (Vibro Replacement) is identical to that used for Top Feed Vibroflotation (Vibro Compaction), except for features specific to the vibro-replacement process, such as a Feeding Tube and other components.
A “Bottom-Feed” technique forms the stone or gravel columns via vibro-replacement. In this case, gravel is fed to the bottom of the Vibroflotation Probe under the action of compressed air. To ensure maximum efficiency, OMS developed a special Vibroflotation Probe and gravel hopper equipped with an excess-pressure chamber.
The operating principle is illustrated below:
The typical equipment configurations of the Vibro Replacement technique
BOTTOM FEED FREE HANGING
Vibroflotation Probe with a gravel hopper is suspended from a crane. When selecting a crane configuration, its lifting capacity must be taken into account so that it corresponds to the total weight of the suspended elements.
EXCAVATOR MOUNTED
The OMS Bottom Feed Vibroflotation system can be installed on the client’s excavator with the assistance of the manufacturer’s specialists. This system is characterized by ease of operation and cost-effectiveness. However, the depth at which stone columns can be formed is limited by the technical capabilities of the excavator, so choosing the right excavator is crucial for this configuration. The vibro-probe is powered by the excavator’s hydraulic system, so the column installation depth depends on the specific machine’s limitations.
DRILL RIG / LEADER MOUNTED
The OMS Vibro Replacement Stone Column system and the gravel hopper can be easily mounted onto an existing drilling rig or leader mast with the assistance of an OMS technical specialist. The advantage of this system is that the drilling rig or leader is equipped with a forced feed system, which allows for additional pressure to be applied when driving the probe and compacting the soil.
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