Performance of Field and Numerical Back-Analysis of Floating Stone Columns in Soft Clay Considering the Influence of Dilatancy
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 10
Abstract
Stone column use has gained popularity around the globe as an effective ground improvement technique to improve the load-bearing capacity of soft soils. End-bearing stone columns are commonly used, but occasionally floating stone columns are adopted since they have been proven to achieve the necessary load-carrying capacity and serviceability requirements. However, stone column parameters are often estimated without much basis for simulation and design purposes due to a lack of practical research and real-life case studies in this area. Hence, in order to develop a fundamental understanding of the load-settlement responses of floating stone columns in soft clays, detailed back-analysis was performed in this study. Throughout the back-analysis, all the numerical models were validated by comparing the analysis results with field measurements. This study highlights the existence of some critical interpreted parameters, namely soil cohesion c′, friction angle ϕ′, and dilation angle ψ′, as well as the soil–structure interaction mechanism that influences the load-settlement responses of the floating stone columns. The successful characterization of the stone column materials and the modeling technique of stone columns in finite element analyses show great potential in assessing the real-life performance of floating stone columns in soft clays.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their sincere thanks for the financial generosity and research grant received from Keller (M) Sdn Bhd and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. The authors are also thankful to Mr. Mohammud Irfaan Peerun for assisting in the editorial work of this paper.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18 • Issue 10 • October 2018
Copyright
© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 8, 2017
Accepted: Apr 13, 2018
Published online: Aug 6, 2018
Published in print: Oct 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Jan 6, 2019
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