SOIL IMROVEMENT LAYER: A SIMPLE APPROACH

An Overview By: N.Ayyappadhas(Structural Engineer)

INTRODUCTION: Most of the construction is done on soil, but the nature and properties of soil is not always adequate for the desired construction. When such inadequacy occurs, the engineer could redesign the structure according to the capacity of the soil - which is generally not preferred, go for a very deep foundation depreciating the economy of the project, or improve the properties of the ground before the commencement of construction.

The most common and workable way to upgrade the ground is Densification. By densification, not only can we achieve improvement in ground behavior such as strength and stiffness, but we could also eliminate its vulnerability to volume compression, even in the long run. In the construction of high raised structures with raft foundations, one of the ways to achieve densification of the ground is to provide an improvement layer on the ground before laying the foundation raft of the building.

Fig. 1: An image illustrating the ground improvement executed at site.

METHODOLOGY: The provision of the improvement layer is based on the removal and replacement method of soil improvement. This method involves removal of the compressible soil layer and replacing it with structural fill during grading operations. The grading can be done by laying an artificial cushion or a natural cushion formed using 40 mm granite or coarse aggregates. The cushion layer requires adequate compaction. In case of noncohesive soil, the rubber-tired roller or the vibratory roller is most commonly used for tired compaction.

The detailed procedure begins with the excavation of the weak soil down to the required depth, considering a 1 m thick improvement layer additional to the desired depth the foundation. The excavated area should be re filled with a mix of 40 mm course re-filled aggregates and the available soil from the excavation. This re-fill should be executed in fill layers of 15 cm or 30 cm depending upon the compaction effectiveness.

Site cleaning Finalizing the levels Excavating soil upto a desired depth

Material for Re-fill

40 mm Course Aggregates Excavated Soil Water if required

In layers of 15 - 30 cm. In Adequate compaction Adequate after each layer Total achieved thickness Total after compaction - 1m

Excavation

Re-fill Process

Fig. 2: Procedure for laying the improvement layer. :

After each layer is spread, compaction should be implemented using vibratory or rubber-filled roller or any suitable compaction machine for a considerable duration. filled Compaction may be prolonged in some cases in accordance with the density of soil and

the required bearing capacity. If and when required, water can be used for compaction. The process should continue until the total depth of the layer reaches 1 m. An engineer at site is mandatorily required to monitor the whole process with caution.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION: The introduction of the improvement layer below laying the foundation is gradually gaining popularity in our country, even though it has been a popular practice in certain other parts of the world for a long time now. In recent times, Indian engineers being very open to the reception of innovative ideas and construction techniques, and more widely accepting this method which is a very efficient alternative compared to providing uneconomical foundation design or redesigning of the entire structure. The improvement layer has additional advantages which are listed below: Increases shear strength Reduces permeability Reduces compressibility Cheap and easily achieved, when compared to other soil improvement methods.

IS 1893(Part1) recommends under section 6.5.3.2, that appropriate methods of compaction is a possible alternative when the soil deposits consist of submerged loose sand. Studies indicate that the primary settlement, which is a major concern in the case of silty soil, can be resisted to a great extent by such densification methods. Hence, the use of improvement layer is highly recommended, particularly in construction sites of high raised structures having raft foundation.