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Expert: - 2/3/2011


Question
Hi Sir,
Weldone for the good work u're doing.  (Pls I'll ask 2 qtns here:

Q1: I want to get full documented report/info-research on vibro-flotation as a method to be used to stabilize & compact foundation soil material with necessary pictures.  

Q2: I need some advice..We're face with a weak soil to be used to sppt medium-rise (3-5 storey) buildg, and we're considering using vibro-flotation mthd to first compact the soil, then use a raft fdn, instead of pile fdn due to its cost effectiveness. what is the risks & benefits.. Let me hear your views as an expert.

Thank u so much !

Answer
Hi Amani,

1. I am not an expert on vibroflotation or vibrocompaction, but the following website will guide you:

http://www.vibroflotation.com/

2. Yes, in principle if you vibrocompact the soil properly, possibly in conjunction with using stone columns at reasonably close spacing, then a properly analysed and designed raft foundations should be a good and economical solution for your building. The main risk is using correct factors for the soil modulus, so that your raft is not over- or under-designed.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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