Comparison between predicted and actual ground settlement improved using stone columns

Abstract

Ground improvement is an important requirement in today’s construction industry. One of the ground improvement techniques is stone column which reinforces the ground with compacted stone. It is a very efficient method of improving the strength parameters of soils like shear strength, bearing capacity and reducing the consolidation settlement. It offers a much economical and sustainable alternative to piling and deep foundation solutions. Many methods have been developed by past researchers to predict the ground settlement improved with stone columns. However, the predicted ground settlement is complicated and remains a problem for practical applications. The main purpose of the study is to outline and recommend the appropriate method to predict the ground settlement improved using stone columns. In this study, ground settlement improved using stone columns will be analyzed in both analytical and numerical methods. For analytical analysis, the settlement calculation will focus on two conventional methods which are Equilibrium Method and Priebe Method. For numerical analysis, the settlement of ground treated with stone columns will be modelled in finite element software (PLAXIS 2D V8), in the plane strain method, the behaviour of the ground settlement can be simulated with consolidation process. Then a comparison between field monitored settlement and predicted settlement mentioned above had been carried out. Based on this study, Priebe Method was proved to be reliable even though it does not capture all the fundamental soil parameters and stress changes that take place during stone columns installation and subsequent loading during embankment construction.