Active Refinery Tank Footprint Subsurface Ground Improvement
Location: Gulf Coast
As part of a larger capital program, an active refinery sought to expand its footprint to accommodate 14 tanks and four pump pads. Before construction could start, the subsurface required in-situ solidification and stabilization. Once we determined the successful stabilization approach for this refinery, we brought in specialized equipment to mix soil and install a series of cement columns under each planned tank footprint.
The specified treatment consisted of installing a series of 8-foot diameter soil-cement columns on an 11-foot by 11-foot grid underneath the planned footprint of each tank foundation. A series of overlapping 8-foot diameter columns were constructed along the footprint of each future tank foundation ring. ENTACT utilized two in-situ vertical auger mixing rigs and grout batch plants concurrently to accomplish the soil mixing work. Our in-house treatability laboratory also conducted a series of treatability studies to determine the optimum reagent and delivery program required to meet project objectives and performance criteria. Reagents included Type I-II Portland cement to treat a total of 205,000 cubic yards.
