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Geopier® Foundation Company developed Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) Systems as efficient and cost effective intermediate foundation solutions for the support of settlement sensitive structures. These systems have since become effective replacements for massive overexcavation and replacement or deep foundations, including driven piles, drilled shafts or augered cast-in-place piles. Thousands of structures are currently supported by RAP Systems - proven experience that ensures high levels of performance and reliability compared to traditional systems. The Geopier® system has become the standard for soil reinforcement requirements, and Strata India is the exclusive licensee for this technology in India.
Providing the right solution
For hundreds of years builders have used traditional methods like over excavation and replacement to address the problem of supporting buildings and other structures on weak soil. For projects where overexcavation was impractical, deep foundations were used instead such as driven piles which are not only costly but also harmful to the environment.
In the early 1990’s, Geopier Foundation Company developed the RAP system as an economical solution. The RAP Systems can be installed using replacement or displacement methods, depending on site requirements. The unique installation process utilizes vertical impact ramming energy, resulting in unsurpassed strength and stiffness. RAP Systems are used to reinforce good to poor soils, including soft to stiff clay and silt, loose to dense sand, organic silt and peat, variable, uncontrolled fill and soils below the ground water table.
Advantages of the Geopier® System
- Rammed. Vertically ramming thin lifts of aggregate is the key to providing strength and stiffness.
- Strength. Vertical impact ramming results in high density and high strength RAP elements that provide superior support capacity.
- Stiffness. Vertical impact ramming results in high pier stiffness that provides excellent settlement control.
- Proven. Thousands of structures are currently supported – proven experience that ensures high levels of performance and reliability.
- Economical. Often results in 20% to 50% savings compared to traditional deep foundation alternatives.
- Fast. Rapid installation process means shorter construction schedules.
