Improvement of soft clay using installation of geosynthetic-encased stone columns: numerical study

The use of geosynthetic-encased stone columns as a method for soft soil treatment is extensively used to increase the bearing capacity and reduce the settlement of raft foundations and the foundation of structures like embankments. Pre-strain is an effect occurring in the encasement during stone column installation due to the compaction of the stone material. The present study uses the finite element program Plaxis to perform a numerical analysis of the soft clay bed reinforced by geosynthetic-encased stone columns. An idealization is proposed for simulation of installation of geosynthetic-encased stone columns in soft clay based on the unit-cell concept. In the analyses, initially, the validity of the analysis of the single column-reinforced soil in the unit-cell model was performed through comparison with the group columns. Then, by considering a unit-cell model, the finite element analyses were carried out to evaluate the stiffness of the reinforced ground to estimate the settlement. The results of the analyses show that the improved stiffness of the encased stone column is not only due to the confining pressure offered by the geosynthetic after loading, but the initial strain of the geosynthetic that occurred during installation also contributes to the enhancement of the stiffness of the stone column and the reduction of the settlement.     

Numerical analysis under seismic loads of soils improvement with floating stone columns

Geotechnical Engineering has developed many methods for soil improvement so far. One of these methods is the stone column method. The structure of a stone column generally refers to partial change of suitable subsurface ground through a vertical column, poor stone layers which are completely pressed. In general terms, to improve bearing capacity of problematic soft and loose soil is implemented for the resolution of many problems such as consolidation and grounding problems, to ensure filling and splitting slope stability and liquefaction that results from a dynamic load such as earthquake. In this study, stone columns method is preferred as an improvement method, and especially load transfer mechanisms and bearing capacity of floating stone column are focused. The soil model, 32 m in width and 8 m in depth, used in this study is made through Plaxis 2D finite element program. The clay having 5° internal friction angle with different cohesion coefficients (c 10, c 15, c 20 kN/m²) are used in models. In addition, stone columns used for soil improvement are modeled at different internal friction angles (? 35°, ? 40°, ? 45°) and in different s/D ranges (s/D 2, s/D 3), stone column depths (B, 2B, 3B) and diameters (D 600 mm, D 800 mm, D 1000 mm). In the study, maximum acceleration (a _max = 1.785 m/s²) was used in order to determine the seismic coefficient used. In these soil models, as maximum acceleration, maximum east–west directional acceleration value of Van Muradiye earthquake that took place in October 23, 2011 was used. As a result, it was determined that the stone column increased the bearing capacity of the soil. In addition, it is observed that the bearing capacity of soft clay soil which has been improved through stone column with both static and earthquake load effect increases as a result of increase in the diameter and depth of the stone column and decreases as a result of the increase in the ranges of stone column. In the conducted study, the bearing capacity of the soil models, which were improved with stone column without earthquake force effect, was calculated as 1.01–3.5 times more on the average, compared to the bearing capacity of the soil models without stone column. On the other hand, the bearing capacity of the soil models with stone columns, which are under the effect of earthquake force, was calculated as 1.02–3.7 times more compared to the bearing capacity of the soil models without stone column.     

Failure modes and bearing capacity of strip footings on soft ground reinforced by floating stone columns

This study evaluates the failure modes and the bearing capacity of soft ground reinforced by a group of floating stone columns. A finite difference method was adopted to analyze the performance of reinforced ground under strip footings subjected to a vertical load. The investigation was carried out by varying the aspect ratio of the reinforced zone, the area replacement ratio, and the surface surcharge. General shear failure of the reinforced ground was investigated numerically without the surcharge. The results show the existence of an effective length of the columns for the bearing capacity factors N _c and N _γ. When certain surcharge was applied, the failure mode of the reinforced ground changed from the general shear failure to the block failure. The aspect ratio of the reinforced zone and the area replacement ratio also contributed to this failure mode transition. A counterintuitive trend of the bearing capacity factor N _q can be justified with a shift in the critical failure mode. An upper-bound limit method based on the general shear failure mode was presented, and the results agree well with those of the previous studies of reinforced ground. Equivalent properties based on the area-weighted average of the stone columns and clay parameters were used to convert the individual column model to an equivalent area model. The numerical model produced reasonable equivalent properties. Finally, a theoretical method based on the comparison of the analytical equations for different failure modes was developed for engineering design. Good agreement was found between the theoretical and numerical results for the critical failure mode and its corresponding bearing capacity factors.     

Settlement evaluation of soft clay reinforced with stone columns using the equivalent secant modulus

A method is proposed to evaluate settlement of soft clay reinforced with stone columns. Finite element analyses were carried out using 15-noded triangular elements with PLAXIS. A drained analysis was carried out using Mohr?CCoulomb??s criterion for soft clay, stones, and sand. The stress due to column installation has been considered in the analysis. At the interface between the stone column and soft clay, interface elements have been used. The settlement ratio (SR) of the soil has been estimated using the equivalent secant modulus. The results are compared with those available in the literature, and the advantages of the numerical analysis were highlighted. Based on the results of this analysis, the SR decrease with compaction surrounding soft soil, but decrease of SR is mainly due to a stiffer column material in soft clay.     

Influence of stone column installation on settlement reduction

The paper presents numerical simulations investigating the settlement reduction caused by stone columns in a natural soft clay. The focus is on the influence of the soft soil alteration caused by column installation. A uniform mesh of end-bearing columns under a distributed load was considered. Therefore, the columns were modelled using the “unit cell” concept, i.e. only one column and the corresponding surrounding soil in axial symmetry. The properties of the soft clay correspond to Bothkennar clay, which is modelled using S-CLAY1 and S-CLAY1S, which are Cam clay type models that account for anisotropy and destructuration. The Modified Cam clay model is also used for comparison. Column installation was modelled independently to avoid mesh distortions, and soft soil alteration was directly considered in the initial input values. The results show that the changes in the stress field, such as the increase of radial stresses and mean stresses and the loss of overconsolidation, are beneficial for high loads and closely spaced columns but, on the contrary, may be negative for low loads, widely spaced columns and overconsolidated soils. Moreover, whilst the rotation of the soil fabric reduces the settlement, in contrast the soil destructuration during column installation reduces the improvement.     

Finite Element Analysis of Geogrid Encased Stone Columns

Stone columns in soft soil improve bearing capacity because they are stiffer than the material which they replace, and compacted stone columns produce shearing resistances which provide vertical support for overlying structures or embankments. Also stone columns accelerate the consolidation in the native surrounding soil and improve the load settlement characteristics of foundation. In this paper, the finite element method is utilized as a tool for carrying out analyses of stone column–soil systems under different conditions. A trial is made to improve the behaviour of stone column by encasing the stone column with geogrid as reinforcement material. The program CRISP-2D is used in the analysis of problems. The program allows prediction to be made of soil deformations considering Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion for elastic–plastic soil behaviour. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the behaviour of standard and encased floating stone columns in different conditions. Different parameters were studied to show their effect on the bearing improvement and settlement reduction of the stone column. These include the length to diameter ratio (L/d), shear strength of the surrounding soil and, the area replacement ratio (a_s) and others. It was found that the maximum effective length to diameter (L/d) ratio is between (7–8) for Cu, between (20–40) kPa and between (10–11) for Cu?=?10?kPa for ordinary floating stone columns while the effective (L/d) ratio is between (7–8) for encased floating stone columns. The increase in the area replacement ratio increases the bearing improvement ratio for encased floating stone columns especially when the area replacement ratio is greater than (0.25). The geogrid encasement of stone column greatly decreases the lateral displacement compared with ordinary stone column.     

Numerical analysis of the installation effects on the behaviour of soft clay improved by stone columns

This paper addresses the installation effects of stone columns in soft soils. Focus is made on the lateral expansion of stone material using the vibro displacement and substitution techniques by means of numerical simulations. The behaviour of reinforced soil after stone column installation is investigated to show how the properties of soft soils can be improved prior to final loading. The effect of such an improvement on the prediction of reinforced soil settlement is evaluated. The axisymmetric unit cell model (UCM) served for the comparison between numerical predictions made by the Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil constitutive laws adopted for the soft soil. An equivalent group of end bearing columns model was investigated in the axisymmetric condition to predict the settlement of reinforced soil by adopting the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model for soft clay. The reduction of settlements predicted by the unit cell and group of columns models, due the improvement of the Young’s modulus of soft clay, were compared. It is concluded that a significant reduction of settlement is expected when the group of columns model is considered.     

A Critical Review of Construction, Analysis and Behaviour of Stone Columns

Stone columns have been used as an effective technique for improving the engineering behaviour of soft clayey grounds and loose silt deposits. The soil improvement via stone columns are achieved from accelerating the consolidation of weak soil due to shortened drainage path, increasing the load carrying capacity and/or settlement reduction due to inclusion of stronger granular material. This paper discusses the techniques, methods of construction of stone columns, mechanisms of stone column behaviour under load and associated design philosophies along with some practical findings from recent research programs.     

包裹碎石桩承载特性试验研究

为了研究包裹碎石桩的承载机制,开展了室内模型试验,对不同套筒长度和刚度的包裹碎石桩承载力、端阻力、变形和破坏情况等进行了分析。试验中利用自制的桩体径向变形测量仪监测了桩体的径向变形情况。试验结果表明：当桩体支承在坚硬土层时,全长包裹碎石桩有效提高碎石桩的承载力和刚度,且采用弹性模量较大的土工材料套筒,包裹碎石桩的极限承载力和刚度也较大,部分包裹碎石桩（包裹长度为0.6倍桩长）相对于碎石桩优势不明显。这是因为部分包裹碎石桩和全长包裹的承载特性、变形特点和破坏模式均存在差异。全长包裹碎石桩传递至桩底端的荷载大于部分包裹碎石桩和碎石桩的。与部分包裹碎石桩和碎石桩比较,全长包裹碎石桩桩身变形分布较为均匀,同一应力作用下,桩身最大径向变形量较小。此外,全长包裹碎石桩刺入顶部褥垫层发生破坏,而部分包裹碎石桩发生鼓胀破坏。     

Observed Behaviour of Laterally Expanded Stone Column in Soft Soil

The paper describes the behavior of remolded kaolin clay reinforced by stone column as investigated in laboratory. The installation of stone column was simulated by performing lateral expansion at different rates within hollow cylindrical remolded kaolin specimens initially subjected to K0 consolidation path. These specimens were, then, subjected to classical consolidated undrained triaxial tests while recording excess pore pressure values. The objective of the experimental programme was to quantify the effects of consolidation stress and stone column on the undrained Young’s modulus and shear strength of kaolin clay. Obtained results showed a significant improvement in Young’s modulus when the cavity expansion ratio and the consolidation stress increase. It was also found that the increase in undrained shear strength of improved kaolin clay mainly occurred at lower consolidation stress. Another important finding of this study is that the ratio of undrained Young’s modulus to undrained shear stress increases when the consolidation stress decreases. Finally, the paper presents a model developed for the design of stone columns.     

Marine Stone Columns to Prevent Earthquake Induced Soil Liquefaction

With ports and other near shore structures expanding, and regions previously not considered prone to earthquakes being re-classified after recent earthquake events, ground improvement by stone columns is increasingly considered to improve loose or soft in situ soils. The Dry Bottom Feed Stone Column construction technique can be used under water if a double-lock stone delivery system is attached to the vibroprobe. The use of pneumatic stone transport from the barge into the vibroprobe receiver tank makes it possible to reach large water and treatment depths. Digital recording of all relevant operation parameters provides a very high level of quality assurance, including a diameter-over-depth profile for each stone column. An introduction to earthquake-resistant design of stone columns and guidelines for specifying Marine Stone Columns are given.     

碎石桩设计参数对复合地基抗液化性能的影响

对碎石桩复合地基进行完全耦合的三维有效应力动力分析,探讨了碎石桩桩径、桩长和桩间距等设计参数对碎石桩复合地基抗液化性能的影响。结果表明,浅层范围内桩长对孔压比的影响较小,随深度的增大,桩长的影响有增大的趋势;在其他条件不变的情况下,随桩径的增大,桩间土中的超孔隙水压力降低,桩径对超孔压发展的影响沿深度方向不同,主要表现在中下部;当仅改变桩间距时,随桩间距的增大,桩间土中的超孔压升高,在工程设计时,桩径与桩间距的比值宜大于0.27,即桩间距的设计值不宜超过3.75D（D为碎石桩桩径）;随碎石桩本身渗透系数的增加,复合地基中不同深度处的超孔压都有所降低,并且随深度的增大,这种影响有增大的趋势。     

Mitigation of liquefaction and associated ground deformations by stone columns

Soil liquefaction and associated ground failures have been a major source of damage during the past earthquakes. The risk of liquefaction and associated ground deformation can be reduced by various ground-improvement methods including the stone column (gravel drain) technique. This paper presents the current state of the stone column technologies as a liquefaction countermeasure. A comprehensive review is provided aiming to: (a) identify key considerations for the general use of stone columns as a liquefaction countermeasure, (b) provide insights for design and construction, (c) compile the latest research developments, and (d) identify sources of useful information. Case histories of field applications and observed field performance are cited to portray different stone column applications and observed effectiveness. The paper identifies areas where more research is needed and includes recommendations for future research and development.     

碎石桩复合地基的研究进展与分析

从碎石桩复合地基的抗液化机理、抗液化性能判别方法、动力分析方法等方面入手,对国内外研究现状做了简要介 绍和分析。结果表明,过去的研究主要集中在碎石桩的加密效应和排水效应方面。对水平剪应力分担情况的研究相对较少 碎石桩复合地基抗液化效果判别方法的研究还有待深入。目前,动力分析方法基本上以粘弹性理论为基础,应加强弹塑性及 粘弹塑性有效应力动力分析方面的研究。     

Performance of embankments with rigid columns embedded in an inclined underlying stratum: centrifuge and numerical modelling

Rigid columns penetrating a firm underlying stratum have often been used to enhance the stability and improve the settlement of embankments over soft ground. Furthermore, an inclined underlying stratum is commonly encountered in engineering practice. This investigation experimentally and numerically studies the performance of embankments over soft ground reinforced by rigid columns with various embedment depths. In centrifuge tests, a tilting failure occurs for columns with an embedment depth L_e of 2D (D is the diameter of columns), whereas the embankments remain stable for L_e of 7D. This result indicates that the inclined underlying stratum weakens the restraint effect at the column base and that a greater embedment depth is required to ensure the stability of embankments. Parametric studies numerically reveal that there exists a critical embedment depth, which represents a shift in the failure mechanism. The optimum column layout is determined based on the contributions of columns in different locations beneath an embankment. Finally, the influence of the embedment depth on the distribution of the bending moment of the columns and the soil reaction are discussed.

     

Experimental and numerical investigation of slope stabilization by stone columns

In this study, an investigation has been performed on a small-scaled laboratory model and its numerical model by the code of PLAXIS to see the effect of stone columns (SCs) placed vertically in a soft soil slope in terms of slope stability, bearing capacity, and settlements. Also, several hypothetical cases have been examined by the code. Effect of s/D ratios (distance between the vertical axes of SCs/diameter of SCs) was also investigated on slope stability, ultimate bearing capacity, and settlement of a footing rested on top of the slope on the laboratory model. Firstly, ultimate bearing capacity and settlement properties of soil were determined for unreinforced soil that is no SCs were considered. Then, some values of soil were determined after the installation of stone columns with various ratios of s/D. The ratios of s/D were 2, 3, 3.5, and 4. The tests carried out on the laboratory model were simulated and numerically analyzed in two dimensions under plain-strain conditions by Mohr?CCoulomb model. In the analyses, PLAXIS computer code, which is based on finite elements method, has been employed. Then, a parametric investigation was carried out to see the effect of SCs on the stability of the slope. In the parametric investigation, several hypothetical cases that were one layer of soil and two layers of soil with the presence of water in the reservoir side of the slopes were examined. The analyses in the investigation were performed by the PLAXIS code for various slope angles ??, ratios of c/(??H), and ratios of s/D. From the test results of the laboratory model, and the results obtained from the numerical analyses, it was observed that the bearing capacity of the footing constructed on the top of the slope in soft soil was increased; settlements were decreased after the improvement with SCs. From the analyses performed, it was found that the SCs increased the stability of slope 1.18- to 1.62-fold as a relative effect of different parameters.     

Stone Columns with Vertical Circumferential Nails: Laboratory Model Study

This paper presents results from a series of laboratory plate load tests carried out in unit cell tanks to investigate the improvement in stiffness, load carrying capacity and resistance to bulging of stone columns installed in soft soils. A new method of reinforcing the stone columns with vertical nails installed along the circumference of the stone column is suggested for improving the performance of these columns. Tests were carried out with two types of loading (1) the entire area in the unit cell tank loaded, to estimate the stiffness of improved ground and (2) only the stone column loaded, to estimate the limiting axial capacity. It is found that stone columns reinforced with vertical nails along the circumference have much higher load carrying capacity and undergo lesser compression and lesser lateral bulging as compared to conventional stone columns. The benefit of vertical circumferential nails increases with increase in the diameter, number and depth of embedment of the nails. The improvement in the performance of stone column was found to be more significant, even with lower area ratio. It is found that reinforcing stone column with vertical circumferential nails at the top portion to a depth equal to three times the diameter of stone columns, will be adequate to prevent the column from excessive bulging and to improve its load carrying capacity substantially.     

Embankments on Soft Soil Reinforced with Stone Columns: Numerical Analysis and Proposal of a New Design Method

A parametric study of an embankment on soft soils reinforced with stone columns is performed using a computer program based on the finite element method. The cylindrical unit cell formulation is used by modeling one column and its surrounding soft soil with confined axisymmetric behaviour. The computer program incorporates the Biot consolidation theory (coupled formulation of the flow and equilibrium equations) with constitutive relations simulated by the p–q–θ critical state model. The following parameters are analysed: the replacement area ratio, the deformability of the column material, the thickness of the soft soil, the deformability of the fill and the friction angle of the column material. Based on the results of this study, a new design method is proposed, relating the settlement improvement factor to the two factors that revealed major influence: the replacement area ratio and the ratio between the deformability of the soft soil and the deformability of the column material.     

双向土工格栅加筋碎石桩单轴压缩试验

对拉伸塑料、焊接聚酯和经编涤纶等3种双向土工格栅加筋碎石桩桩体进行单轴压缩试验,以研究不同双向土工格栅加筋碎石桩桩体的变形和强度特性。研究结果表明:拉伸塑料和经编涤纶格栅加筋碎石桩桩体强度与筋材强度之间呈较好的线性关系,而焊接聚酯格栅加筋碎石桩桩体强度与筋材强度之间的线性关系较差;拉伸塑料格栅加筋碎石桩桩体破坏时其格栅本身拉伸强度能充分发挥,而焊接聚酯格栅和经编涤纶格栅加筋碎石桩桩体,均在这两种格栅远未达到其本身拉伸强度前,因格栅焊接点脱开或横肋从纵肋中抽离而导致破坏,拉伸塑料格栅加筋碎石桩桩体强度要显著高于经编涤纶和焊接聚酯格栅加筋碎石桩桩体强度;在实际工程中可采用双向拉伸塑料格栅来加筋碎石桩桩体,其桩体强度可采用聚丙烯土工编织布加筋碎石桩桩体强度修正公式计算。     

地质样品正构烷烃组分分离纯化的部分问题探究

用实验室自配的标准正构烷烃样品分别经硅胶或氧化铝柱层析后发现,等量溶剂洗脱的情况下硅胶对长链正构烷烃无吸附而氧化铝具有一定吸附性。进一步通过用植物样品测试4种层析柱填充方法,发现不论是只用氧化铝填充还是上部硅胶下部氧化铝和上部氧化铝下部硅胶,都会对长链正构烷烃产生一定的吸附,且这种吸附效果随着碳链的增长而增强。在实验条件下,当碳链加长到C36时,用硅胶加氧化铝填充层析柱的吸附量已达到20%左右,而只用氧化铝填充层析柱的吸附量则高达50%。故建议对研究高碳数正构烷烃的地质样品组分提取时用单一的硅胶柱层析方法。同时,实验显示对于一些杂质多的正构烷烃样品经过尿素络合后比络合前"干净"得多。18个黄土-古土壤和植物样品平均回收率为50%左右,经过尿素络合后的样品正构烷烃各组分相对含量基本不会发生改变,也不会产生明显的同位素分馏效应。因此在进行非正构组分干扰较大的正构烷烃各组分相对含量或同位素分析时,可以选择尿素络合的方法来将其纯化。