Vibro (aggregate) piers are the construction of stiff aggregate piers to reinforce fine-grained soils. It’s a technique first developed by our company founder, Johann Keller, that we’ve used on thousands of projects since.

Vibro piers illustration

Common uses

Reduce foundation settlement
Increase bearing capacity
Increase stiffness
Increase shear strength
Reduce permeability
Mitigate potential for liquefaction
Provide slope stabilization

Process

Vibro piers, also known as aggregate piers, are typically installed to intermediate depths of 5 to 20 feet for the support of new loads. Suited for light to heavy loads, on large or small projects, vibro piers are quick to install and very effective at reinforcing the surrounding soil.

Typical construction begins with pre-drilling the pier location to create a full-depth hole with a diameter that is equal to the final pier design diameter. In soils that cave or collapse, a bottom feed vibrator can be used. The down-hole vibrator is lowered vertically to the planned tip of the pier by a standard crane or rig built for this technique. Aggregate (new crushed stone or recycled concrete) is then added to the hole or through the bottom-feed system and is compacted in lifts by repeated penetrations with the vibrator. The vibratory energy densifies the aggregate and any surrounding granular soil. The high modulus pier reinforces the treatment zone to increase bearing capacity and shear resistance, and reduce settlement from new loads.

For seismic applications, vibro piers can be very effective in reducing dynamic settlement. If loose granular layers are present, the process is a very effective densification technique, reducing the liquefaction potential.

Advantages

Fastest and least expensive of all the ground reinforcementmethods for cohesive soils
Cost savings over deep foundation designs
Reduces seismic deformations
Installed with the highest imparted energy of any aggregate pier system
Piers are sized for the design load and soil conditions
Installation methods are customized for the site conditions
Permits construction on soft or uncontrolled fills

Quality assurance

The vibro equipment we use is designed and manufactured by our in-house equipment manufacturer exclusively for use by Keller.

Quality control and quality assurance plans are an essential part of each Vibro Pier program and ensure that the foundation system will meet the project’s needs. Quality control includes procedural inspection and documentation of the work activity, pre-drill diameter and depth, time and energy parameters, aggregate quantity, and treatment depth. The performance of the vibro pier system is verified by a Vibro Pier Modulus Test to confirm the pier modulus used in the design.