In cohesive soils it is not possible to rearrange the grains. In the vibro-displacement densification (VDD), the added material is transported directly to the vibrator tip, compacted by multiple displacement stages and pressed into the surrounding soil. This creates a crushed rock or gravel column which improves the surrounding cohesive soil due to the greater rigidity of the installed added material. Selection of the most suitable method depends primarily on the ground at the site and on the loads to be carried.

The vibro-cast-in-place columns (VCIPC) method is efficient and cost-effective in primarily cohesive, and also organic ground with very low loadbearing capacity. Thanks to the use of high-grade pumped concrete, the VCIPC have a high internal strength, regardless of the surrounding ground. VCIPC are classified according to DIN 1054 as unreinforced piles for the transmission of structural loads into deeper ground.

Soil stabilization columns are slim load-bearing elements with a minimum diameter of 15 or 180 mm. A lance is vibrated into the load-bearing horizon or to the pre-determined depth and extracted again. While this is happening, mortar is pumped into the soil under pressure. The soil stabilization columns combine load discharge transfer via skin friction and endbearing with the effect of additional ground improvement by the full displacement method.