Abstract:A series of tests was carried out to study the dynamic compaction parameters of a large-thickness-loess foundation in a loess hilly region. The average settlement of each test area before and after dynamic compaction and the change law of the main physical and mechanical indexes of soil were analyzed. The main parameters were gained, such as the center distance of dynamic compaction points, impact number, and the effective reinforcement depth under energy levels of 6 000, 8 000, 10 000, and 12 000 kN·m. Hence, the empirical method of determining the effective reinforcement depth of dynamic compaction was given. The test results showed that the void ratio, dry density, and collapsibility coefficient of the reinforced loess can be used as the evaluation indexes of the reinforcement effect. If the physical and mechanical indexes of the ground soil after dynamic compaction meet the design requirements, the lower limit depth is the effective reinforcement depth. In the collapsible loess area with large overburden thickness, the lower limit depth of foundation soil after eliminating the collapsibility can be used as the effective reinforcement depth