optimization of dynamic compaction procedure for sandy soils

Dynamic compaction (dc) is employed as a simple and economical method to improve weak soils in the last few decades. dc is usually applied for granular soils by falling a heavyweight (up to 40 tons) from a height (up to 40 m) at regularly spaced intervals. significant issues in dc are the weight and height of the tamper, compaction pattern and the distance between tamping locations. incorporated innovation in this paper is to introduce an analytical approach to optimize the compaction pattern and dc variables regarding regular constraints. the required energy for compaction is evaluated for square and diamond patterns. dc optimization is a non-linear and non-convex problem due to nonlinear equations in soil compaction behavior. thus, a metaheuristic approach (genetic algorithm) is employed to find global optimum. the optimum answer presents the minimum compaction energy in each pattern. results indicated that the maximum allowed values of tamper mass and the number of tamper drops were required to minimize compaction energy. the ratio of compaction energy at diamond pattern to square one was also found to be about 0.75 to 0.90 for the same compaction conditions.