RAMMED AGGREGATE PIER®

CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY CONTROL

PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPACT® SYSTEM

Brian C. Metcalfe, P.E.

Brendan T. FitzPatrick, P.E.
Kord J. Wissman, Ph.D., P.E.

Mooresville, NC
December 2006
Copyright © 2006, GFC, Mooresville, NC
INTRODUCTION

Successful Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) construction using the Impact® soil
reinforcement system requires that the Impact designer, installer, geotechnical
engineer’s representative and/or construction testing/inspection agency be familiar with
the means and methods of Impact Pier construction and quality control procedures.
This manual provides Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) guidelines for
Impact construction.

This manual is divided into seven sections for quick reference. The sections are:

Section 1 – Definition of Terms

Section 2 – Reference Standards
Section 3 – Aggregate
Section 4 – Impact Pier Testing
Section 5 – Impact Quality Control Package
Section 6 – Impact Pier Layout
Section 7 – Impact Pier Construction
SECTION 1 – DEFINITIONS
1.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.1 Impact® Piers: Aggregate Columnar elements created using Geopier Foundation
Company’s proprietary displacement and high energy ramming methods to
reinforce soft and weak soils.

1.2 Impact Pier Design Documents: Impact Pier Design Documents include the
project geotechnical report, the foundation loading plan, utility and site grading
plans, the Impact Pier Shop Drawings, Impact Pier Specifications, and (by
reference) the Impact Pier Quality Control Procedures.

1.3 Impact Pier Shop Drawings: The Impact Pier Shop Drawings show the locations,
details, and lengths of the Impact Piers.

1.4 Impact Pier Designer: The Impact Pier Designer (Designer) is the engineer who
designed the Impact Pier system for the project. The Designer is an authorized
agent of Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. (GFC) and prepares Impact Pier
Design Documents and Impact Pier Shop Drawings.

1.5 Impact Pier Installer: The Impact Pier Installer (Installer) is a contractor licensed
to install the Impact Pier system in accordance with the Impact Pier Design
Documents and Impact Pier Shop Drawings.

1.6 Impact Pier Control Technician: The Impact Pier Control Technician (CT) is
responsible to the Installer and Designer for observing Impact Pier construction
activities to verify that they are in accordance with the Impact Pier Design
Documents and Impact Pier Shop Drawings. The CT Representative may be an
employee of the Installer, or may be an independent agent, hired by the Installer
or Designer.

1.7 Geotechnical Engineer: The Geotechnical Engineer is typically the design

professional who prepared the geotechnical engineering report for the project.

1.8 Quality Assurance (QA) Representative: The QA representative is often the

geotechnical engineer of their technician who is responsible to the owner,
general contractor, or other designated agent for independent monitoring and
inspection during Impact Pier construction activities.
 SECTION 2
REFERENCE STANDARDS
2.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS

2.1 Lawton, E.C., Fox, N.S., and Handy, R.L. “Control of Settlement and Uplift of
Structures Using Short Aggregate Piers.” ASCE. Proceedings of In-Situ Deep
Soil Improvement. ASCE National Convention, Atlanta, Georgia. October 9-13,
1994.
2.2 Lawton, E.C. and Fox, N.S. “Settlement of Structures Supported on Marginal or
Inadequate Soils Stiffened with Short Aggregate Piers.” ASCE. Geotechnical
Special Publication No. 40: Vertical and Horizontal Deformations of Foundations
and Embankments, ASCE 2, 962-974.
2.3 Fox, N.S. and Cowell, M. 1998. Geopier Reference Manual. Published by
Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC.
2.4 Wissmann, K.J., Lawton, E.C., and Farrell, T.M. 1999. “Behavior of Geopier-
Supported Foundation Systems During Seismic Events.” Technical Bulletin No.
1. Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC
2.5 Wissmann, K.J. 1999. “Bearing Capacity of Geopier-Supported Foundation
Systems.” Technical Bulletin No. 2. Geopier® Foundation Company, Inc.,
Mooresville, NC.
2.6 Wissmann, K.J., Caskey, J.M., and FitzPatrick, B.T. 2001. “Geopier® Uplift
Resistance.” Technical Bulletin No. 3. Geopier® Foundation Company, Inc.,
Mooresville, NC.
2.7 Wissmann, K.J., FitzPatrick, B.T., and Lawton, E.C. 2001. “Geopier® Lateral
Resistance.” Technical Bulletin No. 4. Geopier® Foundation Company, Inc.,
Mooresville, NC.
2.8 Wissmann, K.J., Moser, K., and Pando, M.A. 2001. "Reducing Settlement Risks
in Residual Piedmont Soils Using Rammed Aggregate Pier Elements.”
Proceedings, ASCE Specialty Conference. Blacksburg, VA. June 9-13.
2.9 Minks, A.G., Wissmann, K.J., Caskey, J.M., and Pando, M.A. 2001. “Distribution
of Stresses and Settlements Below Floor Slabs Supported by Rammed
Aggregate Piers.” Proceedings, 54th Canadian Geotechnical Conference.
Calgary, Alberta. September 16-19.
2.10 FitzPatrick, B.T. and Wissmann, K.J. 2002. “Geopier® Shear Reinforcement for
Global Stability and Slope Stability.” Technical Bulletin No. 5. Geopier®
Foundation Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC.
2.11 Hall, K., Wissmann, K.J., Caskey, J.M., and FitzPatrick, B.T. 2002. “Soil
Reinforcement Used to Arrest Bearing Capacity Failure at Steel Mill.”
Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Ground Improvement
Techniques. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. March 26-28.
2.12 FitzPatrick, B.T., Wissmann, K.J., and White, D.J. 2003. “Settlement Control for
Embankments and Transportation-Related Structures Using Geopier® Soil
 Reinforcement.” Technical Bulletin No. 6. Geopier® Foundation Company, Inc.,
Mooresville, NC.
2.13 Miller, J., FitzPatrick, B.T. and Wissmann, K.J. 2004. “Seismic Site Class
Improvements using Geopier soil reinforcement.” Technical Bulletin No. 7.
Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC.
2.14 FitzPatrick, B.T. and Wissmann, K.J. 2005. “Support of Storage Tanks using
Rammed Aggregate Piers.” Technical Bulletin No. 8, Geopier Foundation
Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC
2.15 FitzPatrick, B.T. and Wissmann, K.J. 2006. “Vibration and Noise Levels.”
Technical Bulletin No. 9, Geopier Foundation Company, Inc., Mooresville, NC.

The following ASTM Standards are used as guidelines:

ASTM D-1143 – Pile Load Test Procedures

ASTM-D-3689 – Uplift Load Test
ASTM D-1241 – Aggregate Quality
ASTM STP 399 – Dynamic Penetrometer Testing
ASTM D-422 – Gradation Soils
SECTION 3 – AGGREGATE
3.0 AGGREGATE

3.1 Open-graded Aggregate: Aggregate used for Impact Pier construction shall
consist of open-graded (uniform particle size) with a maximum nominal particle
size of 1.5 inches and minimum nominal particle size of 0.5-inches (i.e. No.57
stone or other stone) selected by the Installer and used successfully in flow tests
and the modulus test. To facilitate construction in soft or loose soils, maximum
particle size aggregate of up to 2 inches or larger may be used provided the flow
of the aggregate is verified at the site with flow tests, the performance is verified
with the modulus test and the Designer approves the type and gradation of the
aggregate.

3.2 Well-graded Aggregate: Well-graded aggregate (i.e. Type I Grade B or other)

shall not be used for Impact Pier installations unless specifically approved by the
Designer.

3.3 Alternative Aggregates: Occasionally, alternative types of aggregate will be

used to construct Impact Piers. Types of aggregates may include aggregate
containing grout or concrete mixtures. When alternative aggregates are used for
Impact Pier construction, special provisions and requirements for aggregate
quality and construction will be provided by the Designer.
 SECTION 4
IMPACT® PIER TESTING
4.0 IMPACT® PIER TESTING

The tests performed to verify that Impact Pier construction is proceeding in

accordance with the design intent include: Probe Pier Installations, Flow Tests,
Crowd Stabilization Tests, Volume Usage Checks, Modulus Tests, and Uplift
Tests. Impact Pier testing is the primary responsibility of the CT Representative
and should be coordinated with the Installer and QA Representative. When test
results are in question, or yield unexpected data, the Designer should be notified
immediately.

4.1 Probe Pier Installations: The Installer shall install a minimum of two initial
“probe piers” to provide project-specific construction procedures prior to installing
production piers. The probe pier installations should be consistent with the
proposed project-specific installation procedures. The installation of the Probe
Piers shall be observed and the details recorded by the Quality Control
representative. At a minimum, the specific details shall include the items
specified in Section 7.4.1 (Daily Quality Control Reports). Volume checks as
discussed in Section 4.4 shall be performed to verify the constructed diameter of
the pier.

4.2 Flow Rate Tests: The Installer shall perform at least one flow rate test during the
probe pier installations to verify the adequacy of the aggregate flow from the
mandrel. The results of the flow rate tests shall be used to confirm the raising
rate of the mandrel during installation. Flow rate procedures and observation
guidelines are provided below:

For Solid Mandrel Impact Installations

- Push mandrel with a sacrificial plate covering the bottom of the mandrel to a
sufficient depth to fill hopper with aggregate.

- Fill hopper with aggregate.

- Withdraw (lift) mandrel out of the ground so the tamper head is approximately
3 feet above the ground surface and begin to record the time to discharge
 remaining aggregate in the hopper to the ground surface. Measure the
volume of aggregate discharged to the ground surface as indicated below. .

- Calculate the flow rate of aggregate. Aggregate flow rates shall be made by
measuring the amount of aggregate displaced from the hopper over a
particular time period to determine the volume per time (i.e. ft3/second) of
aggregate displaced from the hopper.

- The volume of aggregate discharged at the ground surface may be

approximated using the following relationship for a cone of aggregate:

2
πh(dbase )
Vaggregate − unused =
12
where:
dbottom = diameter of unused aggregate pile
h = height of unused aggregate pile (cone)

The maximum mandrel raise rate (seconds per foot) may be determined using
the flow rate recorded, a displaced cavity volume of 1.1 cubic feet per foot (14-
inch diameter cavity) of mandrel extraction, and a factor of safety of 2. The
maximum lift rate (in seconds per foot of withdrawal) may be determined as
follows:
3
2.2 ft × Flow Test Time (sec)
ft
Mandrel Lift Rate =
Flow Test Volume ( ft 3 )

The lift rate should not exceed 5 seconds per foot unless approved by the
Designer. If poor flow rate or if discontinuous flow (for example necking of the
aggregate inside the mandrel) is observed, an alternative aggregate gradation or
a flow enhancer such as air or water should be considered.
 - Hammer operations and flow enhancers (compressed air or water) within the
mandrel shall be used if deemed necessary by the Installer and/or Designer
to provide a constant, uniform flow of aggregate. This operation should be
consistent with the proposed installation process of production piers.

- The rate of water flow or compressed air pressure (if applicable) shall be
noted for implementation during production pier installation.

For Slotted- Mandrel Impact Installations

- Attach sacrificial plate at bottom of tamper foot prior to installation.

- Push mandrel to the design depth. Observe aggregate flow into the mandrel
during installation. Visually verify the continuous flow of aggregate into the
mandrel during installation to the design depth.

- Raise and lower the mandrel consistent with the installation procedures.
During raising of the mandrel, observations of upward movement of
aggregate within the mandrel shall be noted and communicated to the
Installer and Designer. These conditions may be indicative of clogging or
partially impedance of flow.

- At the approximate midheight of the pier, the mandrel shall be rapidly raised
out of the ground to verify that clogging of the slots has not occurred during
installations.

- Hammer operations shall be used to provide a constant, uniform flow of

aggregate if necessary. This operation should be consistent with the
proposed installation process of production piers.

4.3 Crowd Stabilization Tests (CST)

Crowd Stabilization Tests shall be performed during the installations of probe

piers and the modulus test pier to establish quality control criteria during
construction of the production Impact Pier elements. The Crowd Stabilization
Tests shall be performed in general conformance with the following procedures:
 - The impact energy of the hammer shall be turned off after completion of a
compacted lift at a depth specified by the Designer.

- A reference mark shall be made on the mandrel.

- Crowd pressure from the installation machine shall be applied to the top of the
compacted lift of aggregate.

- The vertical mandrel movement at the maximum crowd pressure shall be

recorded.

- The maximum crowd pressure shall be applied for an additional 15 to 180

seconds following the initial crowd pressure readings. The duration of the test
shall be determined by the Designer.

Crowd Stabilization Tests shall be performed on the first five production Impact
Piers and at a frequency thereafter to be determined by the Designer. The
frequency of the CSTs shall be based on the results of the CSTs performed during
the probe pier and modulus test pier installations. The frequency shall not be less
than 10% of the production elements. The depth at which the CSTs are performed
shall be based on the results of the probe piers and modulus test pier installations
and shall be determined by the Designer.

4.4 Aggregate Volume Usage:

For probe piers and production piers, the volume of aggregate used during pier
installations shall be measured. The average constructed diameter of the pier
shall be determined based on the net volume of aggregate and the Impact Pier
installation depth.

For solid mandrel installations, the net volume of aggregate is equivalent to the
volume of aggregate added to the mandrel and hopper during the Impact Pier
installation less the cone of unused aggregate left at the top of the pier following
installation. The volume of the unused aggregate cone may be estimated using
the following approach or estimated using field charts (Attachment A):
 2
πh(d base )
Vaggregate −unused =
12
where:
dbottom = diameter of unused aggregate pile at top of cone
h = height of unused aggregate pile (cone)
For slotted mandrel installations, the volume of stone used may be estimated
based on the reduction of stone in the hopper at ground level.

The average constructed diameter of the pier shall be determined from the
following relationship and is based on the net volume of stone and the installation
depth.

4 * Vaggregate 12 inches
Davg .constructed = x
πL foot
where:
Davg .constructed = average constructed diameter of the pier (in.)
Vaggregate = Net volume of aggregate used to construct the pier (cu. ft.)
L = Total length of constructed pier (ft)
π = 3.142

4.5 Modulus Test: The purpose of the modulus test is to measure the applied stress
versus deflection behavior of a representative Impact Pier. If there are only a
limited number of Impact Piers needed on a project, the modulus test may be
waived at the discretion of the Designer and Geopier Foundation Company.

4.5.1 Location: The modulus test pier is typically installed at a location on the site
where soil conditions appear to be the loosest/softest, as indicated in the
approved Impact Pier Design Documents and based on the project
geotechnical report. The proposed location of the test pier should be
discussed with the Geotechnical Engineer.

4.5.2 Telltale: One telltale assembly, consisting of sleeved telltale rod(s), shall be
installed at the maximum installation depth to measure bottom-of-pier
deflections. Acceptable Impact Pier response is generally indicated when the
telltale deflection is not more than 33% of the top of pier deflection at the
 design stress level unless otherwise approved by the Designer and Geopier
Foundation Company.

4.5.3 Modulus Test Impact Pier Construction Testing: Crowd Stabilization Tests
shall be performed during construction near the bottom, middle and top of the
modulus test Impact Pier. In addition, Volume Usage Checks shall be
performed. The Volume Usage Check results for the modulus test Impact
Pier will serve as the site specific reference for anticipated pier volumes. The
Designer shall be notified if the average constructed diameter of any
production Impact® Piers are less than 90% of the modulus test pier.

4.5.4 Modulus Test Procedures: The modulus test shall be performed in general
accordance with ASTM D-1143 with the modifications outlined in the Impact
RAP Design Documents and Shop Drawings and those generally outlined
below, including load increments, load durations, and load decrements.

4.5.5 Maximum Test Load: The maximum load applied is equal to 150% of the
maximum top of Impact Pier stress, as determined by the Designer.

4.5.6 Load Duration:

4.5.6.1 With the exception of the load increment representing approximately

115% of the design maximum top of Impact Pier stress and the rebound
load increments, all load increments shall be held for a minimum of 15
minutes and until the rate of deflection is less than 0.01 inch per hour, or
for a maximum duration of 1 hour.

4.5.6.2 The load increment that represents approximately 115% of the design
maximum stress on the Impact Pier shall be held for a minimum of 60
minutes and until the rate of deflection is less than 0.01 inches per hour or
less, or for a maximum duration of 4 hours.

4.5.6.3 The rebound load increments shall be held for a minimum of 5 minutes.
 4.5.7 Reporting: The field results of modulus testing should be provided by the
Installer to the Designer at the end of test. The Designer will prepare a
modulus test report and submit it to the General Contractor and Geopier
Foundation Company. The modulus test report prepared by the Installer and
provided to the Designer shall include: a pier sketch, pier length, installation
procedure (raising and lowering sequence), pressure gauge readings, Crowd
Stabilization Test results with depth, average constructed pier diameter based
on Volume Usage Checks, nearest Boring and any other notable information
related to the modulus test pier installation or testing. Figure 1 provides an
example modulus test form.

4.5.8 Examples: An example of a compression modulus test set-up is shown in

Figure 2.

4.6 Uplift Test: When uplift Impact Piers are required on a project, an uplift test shall
be performed by the Installer if indicated in the Impact Pier Design Documents. If
there are only a limited number of uplift Impact Piers needed on a project, the
uplift test may be waived at the discretion of the Designer and Geopier
Foundation Company.

4.6.1 Location: The uplift test Impact Piers is typically installed at a location on the
site where soil conditions appear to be the loosest/softest, as indicated in the
approved Impact Pier Design Documents and based on the project
geotechnical report. Alternatively the uplift test may be installed in a location
near the highest concentration of production uplift Impact Piers at the
discretion of the Designer. The proposed location of the test pier should be
discussed with the Geotechnical Engineer.

4.6.2 Uplift Test Impact Pier Construction Testing: Crowd Stabilization Tests
shall be performed during construction near the bottom, middle and top of the
uplift test Impact Pier. In addition, Volume Usage Checks shall be performed.
 The Volume Usage Check results for the uplift test Impact pier will serve as
the site specific reference for anticipated pier volumes for uplift piers.

4.6.3 Uplift Test Procedures: The uplift test procedure is based on portions of
ASTM D-3687. ASTM D-3687 is used as a guide to establish load
increments, load duration, and load decrements.

4.6.4 Maximum Test Load: The maximum load applied is usually equal to 200%
of the design Impact Pier uplift capacity, as determined by the Designer.

4.6.5 Load Duration:

4.6.5.1 With the exception of the load increment representing approximately

150% of the allowable Rammed Aggregate Pier design uplift load and the
rebound load increments, all load increments shall be held for a minimum
of 15 minutes, a maximum of 1 hour, and until the rate of deflection
reduces to 0.01 inch per hour, or less.

4.6.5.2 The load increment that represents approximately 150% of the allowable
Rammed Aggregate Pier design uplift load shall be held for a minimum of
60 minutes, a maximum of 4 hours and until the rate of deflection reduces
to 0.01 inches per hour or less.

4.6.5.3 The rebound load increments shall be held for a minimum of 5 minutes.

4.6.5.4 Alternate load testing durations for the uplift test may be implemented on a
project-specific basis upon approval by the Designer and Geopier
Foundation Company.

4.6.6 Reporting: The field results of uplift testing should be provided by the
Installer to the Designer at the end of test. The Designer will prepare a
modulus test report and submit it to the General Contractor and Geopier
Foundation Company. The uplift test report prepared by the Installer and
provided to the Designer shall include: a pier sketch, pier length, installation
 procedure (raising and lowering sequence), pressure gauge readings, Crowd
Stabilization Test results with depth, average constructed pier diameter based
on Volume Usage Checks, nearest Boring and any other notable information
related to the uplift test pier installation or testing.

4.6.7 Examples: An example of an uplift test set-up is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1 – Sample Modulus Test Form
 13'-0"
6'-6"
Steel Plate

Uplift Anchor Rod

W-Beam Steel Plate

100 Ton Jack Pedestal

Anchor Pier Anchor Pier

Load Test Pier

(Compression)

Figure 2 – Typical Modulus Test Setup

 13'-0"
6'-6"

W-Beam

100 Ton Jack

Uplift Geopier
Element W-Beam

Cribbing

Compression Geopier
Element

Load Test Pier

(Uplift)

Figure 3– Typical Uplift Test Setup

 SECTION 5
IMPACT® PIER
QUALITY CONTROL PACKAGE
5.0 IMPACT® PIER QUALITY CONTROL PACKAGE

The Designer will make the following information available to the CT and QA
Representatives either by way of the project design submittals and/or a Quality
Control Package for use by the CT and QA Representatives during Impact Pier
construction activities:

5.1 Drawings: The date of the structural foundation and/or civil site grading drawings
used in the preparation of the Impact Pier Design and Impact Pier Shop
Drawings.

5.2 Material Descriptions:

5.2.1 A generalized description of the subsurface material expected to be

encountered during Impact Pier installations.

5.2.2 A description of subsurface materials that are expected to be

encountered at the maximum installation depths (particularly if piers are
installed to tag a particular layer).

5.2.3 A description of materials identified by the geotechnical exploration that

may be a problem. (ie: fill materials, buried debris, significant changes
in stratigraphy)

5.3 Geotechnical Data: This information will include copies of all appropriate soil
boring logs and a boring location plan which shows the location of the soil
borings with reference to the building footprint.

5.4 Modulus Test Schedule: When required, the Designer will prepare the Modulus
Test Schedule in accordance with the procedures described in Section 4.2, and
include this information in the QC Package.
5.5 Uplift Test Schedule: When required, the Designer will prepare the Uplift
Test Schedule in accordance with procedures described in Section 4.3, and
include this information in the QC Package.
 SECTION 6
IMPACT® PIER LAYOUT
6.0 IMPACT® PIER LAYOUT

6.1 Coordination: Unless otherwise directed, the layout of Impact Piers in the field is
the responsibility of the General Contractor, or a surveyor hired by the General
Contractor. The CT Representative should visually determine that Impact Pier
layout is consistent with the information in the Impact Pier Shop Drawings.

6.2 Current Structural Foundation/Civil Site Grading Plans: Prior to the beginning of
Impact Pier installations, the CT representative should verify the date of the
structural foundation and/or civil site grading plans used in preparation of the
Impact Pier Shop Drawings with the General Contractor.

6.3 Building Pad Elevations: Prior to the beginning of construction, the CT

Representative should verify the building pad elevation with the General
Contractor. The elevation should accurately reflect the subgrade elevation that
will exist during Impact Pier installations for the project.

6.4 Elevations at Footing Elevations: The CT Representative should verify the

subgrade elevation at every footing location during Impact Pier installations.
When the subgrade elevation at a particular footing location is different for the
overall building pad elevation, this information should be noted, and Impact Pier
installation depths adjusted accordingly. When subgrade elevations vary across
the building pad, this information should be coordinated with the QA
Representative to avoid confusion.

6.5 Adjusting Impact Pier Locations: Impact Piers should be located within 6-inches
of the locations shown on the Impact Pier Shop Drawings. If it is required to
adjust the locations of Impact Piers in the field, the Designer should be notified
immediately.

6.6 Mis-location of Impact Piers: When it is suspected that Impact Piers have been
mis-located in the field, the CT must notify the General Contractor immediately
upon discovery. The General Contractor must verify Impact Pier locations before
the Installer proceeds further with Impact Pier installations. If mis-located Impact
Piers are discovered after installations, additional Impact Piers should be
installed in the area of the correct locations. If mislocated Impact Piers are
encountered or conflicts arise, the Designer should be notified immediately so
that an alternate solution may be proposed and approved under the direction of
the Impact Pier Designer.
 SECTION 7
IMPACT® PIER CONSTRUCTION
7.0 IMPACT® PIER CONSTRUCTION

7.1 Impact Pier Installation Requirements:

7.1.1 Impact Piers should be installed within 6-inches of the plan locations shown
on the Impact Pier Shop Drawings.

7.1.2 Impact Pier installation depths (elevations) should be installed to no shallower

than 3-inches from the depths (elevations) indicated in the Impact Pier Design
unless approved by the Designer.

7.1.3 Top of Impact Piers should be installed no less than 6-inches higher than the
bottom of footing elevations indicated in the Impact Pier Design and Impact
Pier Shop Drawings.

7.2 Conditions Encountered During Impact Pier Installation

7.2.1 The CT and QA Representative should perform continuous verification of the

response of the mandrel during Impact Pier installation. The Geotechnical
Data contained in the Quality Control Package (described in Section 5.5)
should be referenced often during Impact Pier installations to ensure that the
subsurface conditions encountered during Impact Pier installation do not vary
significantly from those assumed for design, or from the soil boring logs
(specifically related to conditions near the maximum installation depth. If
unexpected subsurface conditions are encountered, the Designer
should be notified immediately.

7.2.2 If conditions are encountered during installation that are significantly different
from those shown in the Geotechnical Data included in the Quality Control
Package, the Impact Pier Design may need to be modified to account for the
difference. The Designer shall be contacted immediately for instructions,
which may include modifying the installation depths of the Impact Piers. The
instructions are the sole responsibility of the Designer and Geopier
Foundation Company.
 7.2.3 If bedrock or refusal is encountered at depths shallower than required from
the Impact Pier Design, the Impact Pier may be terminated on the bedrock or
refusing layer provided the Designer is notified and approves the revised
approach.

7.2.4 The Designer shall be notified if buried obstructions are encountered that
prohibit the installation of the Impact Pier element with the tolerable limits of
the planned location as determined from the project specifications. If it is
determined that the buried obstruction(s) need to be removed, then the
designer shall discuss with the design team the type of soil backfill and the
required degree of compactive effort for the excavation backfill materials that
after installation of the Impact Pier element shall be in conformance with the
Impact Pier and project design criteria.

7.3 Impact Pier Construction:

7.3.1 Installation Procedures

A. A sacrificial plate shall be placed at the bottom of the mandrel prior to

installation (For alternative flow restrictors, see Impact-R construction
guidelines).

B. The mandrel (and sacrificial plate) shall be pushed (and driven as necessary)
to the design depth as indicated on the Impact Pier Shop Drawings and the
Impact Pier Design.

C. The mandrel shall generally be raised 3 feet at a constant rate determined

from the flow rate tests. Alternative mandrel lift heights shall be permitted
upon approval from the Designer and Geopier Foundation Company. The
time required to raise the mandrel shall not be less than 5 seconds per foot
unless verified by flow rate tests and approved by the Designer and Geopier
Foundation Company.

D. While raising the mandrel, the hammer shall be operated and water or
compressed air allowed to flow through the mandrel to enhance aggregate
flow as determined during the Probe Pier installations. Water flow (when
 applicable) shall be discontinued when the mandrel reaches the top of the
approved raise height.

E. The mandrel shall then be driven downward using impact and crowd driving
force such that an approximate one-foot thick compacted lift of aggregate is
constructed.

F. Hydraulic pressures measuring the amount of applied crowd pressure may be

recorded during the driving of the mandrel. These pressures may be
recorded on an automatic data recorder or by the CT representative.

G. The mandrel shall then be raised to the 3 foot lift height (or other approved
height) at a rate consistent with the results from the flow rate tests (or
approved by the Designer and Geopier Foundation Company, where
applicable).

H. While raising the mandrel, the hammer shall be operated and water or
compressed air allowed to flow through the mandrel to enhance aggregate
flow as determined during the Probe Pier installations. Water flow (when
applicable) shall be discontinued when the mandrel reaches the top of the
approved raise height.

I. The mandrel shall then be driven downward using impact and crowd driving
force such that an approximate one-foot thick compacted lift of aggregate is
constructed.

J. Steps G through I shall be repeated until the pier is constructed to the top of
pier elevation.

K. The top of the constructed Impact Pier shall be preloaded by shutting the
hammer off and applying full crowd pressure to the top of the pier.

L. At completion of the Impact Pier installation, the remaining stone in the solid
mandrel and hopper shall be emptied. The net aggregate volume of the
constructed Impact Pier element shall be recorded. Recommended
procedures are presented in Section 4.4.
 7.3.2 When Impact Piers are constructed in soft or loose soils that contain a high
percentage of fine grained soil, excess pore-water pressure generation may
result in Crowd Stabilization Tests that result in little to marginal resistance
during the short-term, undrained loading condition. The Designer shall be
contacted for further instruction.

7.3.3 Uplift Anchors: The CT Representative should verify that uplift anchors are
installed at the locations and orientations shown in the Impact Pier Shop
Drawings, that uplift hardware is fabricated and fastened in accordance with
the requirements described in the Impact Pier Design, and that proper
corrosion mitigation procedures are followed.

7.4 Daily Quality Control Field Sheets

7.4.1 The CT Representative is responsible for compiling daily Quality Control field
sheets. The data contained in the QC field sheets should generally include,
but is not necessarily limited to the following information about installed
Impact Piers:

• Footing and Impact Pier location and number.

• Ground surface elevation.
• Impact Pier installation depth.
• Number of lifts.
• Procedure to construct each lift.
• Time of lifting for each lift.
• Total pier installation time.
• Hydraulic pressures during pier installation (from operator or data
record).
• Volume of unused aggregate.
• Net Volume of aggregate introduced into Impact Pier (equal to the
difference between the total hopper and mandrel volume and the
volume of unused aggregate).
• Planned and actual Impact Pier elevations at the top and bottom of
the element (based on installation depth).
 • Documentation of any unusual conditions encountered.
• Type and size of hammer equipment used.
• Aggregate description.
• Record of flow rates (water flow rate or compressed air pressure)
• Results of Crowd Stabilization Tests.

7.4.2 Review/Coordination: The CT Representative should review each day’s QC

field sheets with the QA Representative to resolve discrepancies.

7.4.3 Reports: The CT Representative should provide copies of each day’s QC

field sheets to the Designer on a daily basis. The CT Representative should
provide copies of each day’s QC field sheets to the General Contractor and
QA Representative on a weekly basis unless unusual or out-of-spec
conditions occur. An example QC field sheet is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4 – Sample Quality Control Form
 ATTACHMENT A

Field Charts for Estimating

Volume of Aggregate