Experimental study on coral reef sand as hydraulic filling materials for foundation and its vibroflotation compaction

As a special foundation filling material, the coral reef sand has many basic characteristics, such as loose structure, difficult compaction and low bearing capacity, while the practical engineering application is rarely reported up to now. Based on the Saudi Jeddah RSGT wharf construction project, the mineral composition, basic physical and mechanical properties of the red sea coral reef are studied, and the feasibility of the coral reef sand as the hydraulic filling materials for foundation is analyzed. Furthermore, the method of vibroflotation to reinforce the coral reef sand is adopted. Through the comparison of CPT testing results before and after vibroflotation and the settlement calculation on the related foundation using the measured SPT data after vibroflotation, it is approved that the coral reef sand is a new kind of good filling materials for engineering. The reinforced effect is remarkable with the excellence of environmental protection and economy when it is used as filling materials for foundation after vibroflotation, which is especially suitable for the mass distribution of coral reef in the coastal areas of reclamation for port construction projects.