Design and Construction of

stone Column

By / Hussein Mohamed
mean of stone column

involves the partial replacement of unsuitable

subsurface soils with a compacted vertical column of stone
that usually completely penetrates the weak strata.

When jetting water is used the process is named vibro-

replacement (or the wet process).

When used without jetting water in partially saturated soils the

process is known as vibro-displacement (or the dry process)
STONEC OLUMN USES

(1) improving slope stability of both embankments and

natural slopes.

(2) increasing bearing capacity.

(3) reducing total and differential settlements.

(4) reducing the liquefaction potential of sands.

(5) increasing the Time of rate of settlement.

Applications of stone column

1) Embankment Fill Support.

2) Miscellaneous Highway Facilities.

3) Structures.

4) Tanks.
Types of stone column

• Vibro-Replacement.

• Vibro-Displacement.

• Rammed Stone Columns.

• Sand Compaction Piles.

Types of stone column

Vibro-Replacement (wet): In the vibro-replacement method,

a hole is formed in the ground by jetting a probe down to the
desired depth.

The uncased hole is flushed out and then stone is added in

(0.3-1.2 m) increments and dandified by means of an
electrically or hydraulically actuated vibrator located near
the bottom of the probe.
Types of stone column
Vibro-Displacement (dry process) :

between vibro-displacement and vibro-replacement is

the absence of jetting water during initial formation of
the hole in the vibro displacement method.

To be able to use the vibro-displacement method the

vibrated hole must be able to stand open upon extraction
of the probe.
Types of stone column

Rammed Stone Columns:

Rammed stone columns are constructed by either

driving an open or closed end pipe in the ground or
boring a hole.

A mixture of sand and stone is placed in the hole in

increments, and rammed in using a heavy, falling
weight.
Types of stone column

Sand Compaction Piles:

Sand compaction piles are constructed by driving a steel

casing down to the desired elevation using a heavy, vertical
vibratory hammer located at the top of the pile. As the pile is
being driven the casing is filled with sand. The casing is
then repeatedly extracted and partially re driven using the
vibratory hammer
Failure mechanism
Failure mechanism of single stone column in a
homogenous soft later
Failure mechanism
Failure mechanism of single stone column in Non-
Homogenous Soft Layer.
Installation Technique
The construction of stone columns involves
creation of a hole In the ground which is later
filled with granular fill / stone sand mixture and
compacted to required strength.
Granular Blanket: On the to top of stone columns a
clean medium to coarse sand with 70-80% relative
density is laid with a minimum thickness of 0.5m.
This Layer should be exposed at its periphery to the
atmosphere for easy dissipation of pore water pressure
Design of Stone Column
Stone column shall be consisted of crushed
Aggregate piles Aggregate (size 75 mm to 2 mm)
Is generally Recommended
Design of Stone Column
Basic Design parameters :
1) Stone column Diameter (D)
2) Depth of stone column
3) Pattern
4) Spacing
5) Equivalent Diameter
6) Replacement Ratio (as)
7) Stress concentration Factor (n)
Design of Stone Column
Depth of stone column :

The stone column is installed Below a foundation up to

the Depth of Soft compressible strata within the zone of
influence in the subsoil.
In addition of carrying vertical load Stone column
function as a drainage path to dissipate excess pore
water pressure and hence accelerate the rate of
consolidation.
This require the stone column to be taken down to the
Depth of major compressible strata .
Design of Stone Column
Pattern :
Stone column should be installed preferably in
an equivalent triangular pattern which gives the
densest packing although a square pattern may
be used . A typical pattern as shown in Table
Design of Stone Column
Design of Stone Column
Equivalent Diameter :
The Area of the soil surrounding each Stone column
forms a regular hexagon around the column.
It may be approximately by an equivalent circular Area
having the same total Area
.
Design of Stone Column

De= 1.05 S for an equilateral triangular Pattern

De=1.13 S For a Square Pattern.

S = Spacing of Stone column.

Design of Stone Column
Replacement Ratio :

AS= Area of Stone Column

Ag=Area of the Ground Surrounding Stone Column
A= Total Area Within the unit cell.
Design of Stone Column
Stress Concentration Factor (n) :
Design of Stone Column
Vertical stress Distribution :
The Distribution of Vertical stress within a unit
cell can be Expressed by a stress concentration
factor n defined as :
Design of Stone Column
Design of Stone Column
Design of Stone Column
Design of Stone Column
Settlement :
References

1-Design-and-Construction-of-Stone-Columns-
Vol.-I-FHWA-RD-83-026.
2- Design-and-Construction-of-Stone-Columns-
Vol.-2-.
The End