Vibratory piers are a form of ground improvement used in soft or loose soils to reinforce the ground for proposed improvements, increase soil bearing capacity, decrease settlement, increase global stability and decrease seismically induced deformations. Vibro pier technology uses a powerful downhole vibrating hammer called a vibroflot capable of depositing and consolidating a dense gravel or concrete column and at the same time densifying adjacent in-situ granular soil deposits. The vibroflot is supported by a standard crane or a crawler crane. The resultant columns are used to transfer loads down to more competent load bearing strata. Vibro stone columns can serve a dual purpose as vertical drains relieving excess soil pore water pressure during earthquake events and therefore minimizing liquefaction potential. Vibratory stone columns are typically predrilled whereas concrete columns are not.