Vibro stone columns to support GOIL's MGO Storage Facility at the Port of Takoradi in Ghana.
The project
Development of the Takoradi Harbour in the western part of Ghana created an opportunity for GOIL (Ghana Oil Company) to construct three additional fuel tanks in the port.
The challenge
The saturated, soft clayey soil conditions, combined with limited space, high water table and tight programme created an opportunity for us to rise to the challenge with innovative, cost effective solutions.
In these conditions, among others, vibro stone columns are proven to accelerate consolidation settlement up to 90% within 2 weeks, while increasing the cumulative bearing capacity to limit total and differential settlement.
The solution
We designed and installed 80 No. 800mm diameter vibro stone columns for each of the three massive fuel storage tanks. Subsequently, the client extended the scope by another 82 no. stone columns for their pump station foundation. A total of 322 no. top feed (wet method) vibro stone columns were installed to depths of approximately 8m.