Yes, Geopier is alot like Franki-piles except that with geopier casings are only used at "caving-sand" sites. The ramming and technical principals are the same as that of franki-piles. Regarding the stiffness ratio between Geopier and stone columns, they have been tested side by side...
Our company has seen successful installation of Geopier rammed aggregate piers in cohesionless (sandy) soil in the Los Angeles areas as well as the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley without casing above and below the groundwater table. Loose sands are good candidates for Geopier improvement, and...
Oh the good and the bad ... the good is they are cost effectve and provide 70 to 120 kips per pier for the support of shallow spread footings. Installation rates average 40 to 50 per day. Installers also provide performance warranties with the system.
The bad is they require a drilled shaft...
EvStephen,
Geopier is simply a discrete overexcavation and replacement method that densifies and increases lateral stress in the surrounding soil. Geopiers are installed by drilling a 30-inch dia shaft and then ramming crushed stone into the shaft in 12 inch lifts. So for a 15 foot shaft, you...
Computer QC is nice and easy. But Geopier installers log the soil excavated, and the aggregate lifts for every geopier installed on a site. In California, Geopier has gained wide acceptance in the building foundation market. More so than stone columns for 2 distinct reasons, 1) Geopier...
