The Geopier RAP system for ground improvement
By Mark Tigchelaar, P. Eng., GeoSolv Design/Build
Ground improvement techniques have become more widely used in Canada over the past decade and owners, developers, contractors and engineers have gradually taken notice of the unique advantages offered by using ground improvement techniques. Of the many ground improvement techniques used in Canada, few have been employed more often than the Geopier Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) system. Since 2006, many thousands of linear kilometres of Geopier RAP elements have been installed in Canada to support industrial, commercial and residential projects, and other applications such as liquefaction mitigation, embankment and wall support, and other structures. Since its introduction in the U.S. over 30 years ago, the Geopier RAP system reinforces a wide variety of soil types including undocumented fill, loose sands, soft/sensitive clays, silts and trapped organics to provide increased bearing capacity and engineered settlement control.