Book excerpt: The Sand Compaction Pile or (SCP) method is used frequently in construction to form compacted sand piles by vibration, dynamic impact or static excitation in soft ground. Originally developed in Japan to improve stability or compressibility and to prevent liquefaction failure in loose sand, the SCP method is now often applied to soft clay ground to ensure stability and reduce ground settlement. This book presents detailed descriptions of design, execution, quality control, equipment and assurance aspects of the SCP method, illustrating the theory with case studies from around Japan and also including a thorough overview of the existing literature on research and development carried out since the 1950s. Two final chapters cover vital aspects of design procedures for clay and sandy ground to enable practitioners to frame an appropriate set of parameters for durable and cost-efficient design.