A Field Prototype Test of Rapid Impact Compaction for Ground Improvement and Backfill Compaction at U-Tapao Airport

Rapid impact compaction (RIC) is a ground improvement technique that densifies shallow granular soils by pounding them with a hydraulic hammer. This paper presents the application of RIC to improve the stiffness of ground and compaction of backfill at U-Tapao Airport in Thailand, a strategic development project in the eastern economic corridor. The paper reports the results of a field prototype test that measured the soil properties before and after RIC using cone penetration test (CPT), standard penetration test (SPT) and plate load test. The paper also analyzes the optimal compaction effort and the factors affecting the performance of RIC, such as fine content, effective depth and pre-compaction layer. The paper proposes a correlation between SPT and CPT based on the data collected from the site.