Stone Columns Ground Improvement Technique

STONE COLUMNS
IRAM PARVAIZ
CE-15-83
Civil Engineering Department IUST

iram.parvez.1996@gmail.com
March 19,2019
Iram Parvaiz CE-15-83 (IUST Awantipora) Stone columns March 19, 2019 1 / 21
Overview
1. Introduction
 Stone Columns and its basic functions
 Background
 Applicable soil types and Effectiveness of stone columns
2. Stone Column construction techniques

 Vibroflotation
 Rammed stone column technique
3. Basic Design Parameters
4. Failure mechanisms of stone columns
5. Advantages of stone columns
6. Applications of stone columns
7. Conclusion
8. Bibliography
Iram Parvaiz CE-15-83 (IUST Awantipora) Stone Columns March 19, 2019 2 / 21
INTRODUCTION
• Ground improvement techniques are commonly used at
sites where the existing soil conditions are expected to
lead to a unsatisfactory performance.
• The soil improvement techniques are used to increase
bearing capacity and reduce the settlement of
constructions. Their main advantage lies in improving the
soil properties below a structure and following the
reduction of an irregular settlement.
• TECHNIQUES FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT:
1. Vibroflotation
2. Dynamic Compaction
3. Stone Columns
4. Compaction Piles
5. Compaction Grouting
STONE COLUMNS AND ITS BASIC FUNCTIONS
• Stone columns are essentially a method of soil

reinforcement in which soft cohesive soil is replaced at
discrete points by gravel or crushed rock in pre-bored
vertical holes to form ‘columns’ or ‘piles’ within the soil.
• Stone column consists of crushed coarse aggregates or
gravel of various sizes (6-40mm).
• The stone columns serve two basic functions:
1. Providing strength reinforcement to the soil.
2. Acting as vertical drains to allow subsoil consolidation
to occur quickly under any given loading.
BACKGROUND
• The concept was first applied in France in 1830 to

improve a native soil.
• This method has been used extensively in Europe for site
improvement since the late 1950's.
• In India, it was first introduced for construction in 1970s.
• In England, stone columns have been used to support
about 40 bridge abutments.
• In Europe, stone columns have been used considerably
more extensively than in either the U.S. or Canada.
APPLICABLE SOIL TYPES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
STONE COLUMNS
1. Soft, Non-compactible, Weak soil
2. Granular with high fines content
3. Organic soils
4. Marine/ Alluvial clays
5. Liquefiable soils
6. Cohesive soils
STONE COLUMN CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
 Displacement method
• Vibratory technique using vibroflot
 Non-Displacement method
• Rammed stone column technique
VIBROFLOTATION
Mechanism of Vibroflot
RAMMED STONE COLUMN TECHNIQUE
Rammed Stone Column
BASIC DESIGN PARAMETERS
1. Stone column diameter, D

2. Depth of stone column
3. Pattern
4. Spacing
5. Equivalent diameter
6. Area Replacement ratio, as
7. Stress concentration factor, n
BASIC DESIGN PARAMETERS
• The column spacing may broadly range from 2m to 3m depending
upon the site condition , loading pattern , column factors , the installation
technique , settlement tolerances.
• The equivalent diameter (De) is given by the following formula:
De = 1.05 S for an equilateral triangular pattern, and
= 1.13 S for a square pattern
• Replacement ratio (as) is given by:
as = As / A = As / (As + Ag)
• as = c1(D/S)2
• c1 = a constant; for a square pattern c1=π /4 and for an equilateral
triangular pattern c1=0.907.
• The stress concentration factor, n, due to externally applied load σ, is
defined as the ratio of average stress in the stone column, σs, to the
stress, σg ,in the soil within the unit cell,
n = σs / σg
• The value of n generally lie between 2.5 and 5 at the ground surface.
FIGURE
Triangular arrangement of stone columns
FIGURE
Square arrangement of stone columns

FAILURE MECHANISMS OF STONE COLUMNS
• Failure Mechanisms of a Single Stone Column in
Homogenous Soft Layer:
a) Long stone column with firm or floating support-Bulging failure
b) Short column with rigid base- shear failure
c) Short floating column- punching failure
STONE COLUMN FAILURE MECHANISMS IN NON-
HOMOGENEOUS COHESIVE SOIL
•The ultimate vertical stress, σ1, which the stone column can take,
may be determined from the following equation:
σ1 / σ3 = (1+ sin Фs) / (1- sin Фs)
FAILURE MECHANISMS OF STONE COLUMN
GROUPS
JKKKM
ADVANTAGES OF STONE COLUMNS
• The stone column technique of ground treatment has proven
successful in
1. improving slope stability of both embankments and natural
slopes,
2. increasing bearing capacity of in-situ soils ,
3. reducing total and differential settlements,
4. reducing the liquefaction potential of sands,
5. increasing the time rate of settlement,
6. expedites consolidation settlement,
7. more economical than piling,
8. homogenizes variable soil properties, and
9. improves the stiffness of subsoil to decrease settlements.
• Stone columns are used to support structures overlying both very
soft to firm cohesive soils and also loose silty sands having greater
than about 15 percent fines.
APPLICATIONS OF STONE COLUMNS
• Stone columns have the following applications:
1. Potential highway uses- highway embankments, bridge approach

fills, bridge abutments.
2. Footings - raft / isolated.
3. Tanks - LNG storage tank, water storage tank(foundation of

tanks).
4. Railway embankments.
5. Wharf structures.
6. Reinforced Earth Retaining walls.
CONCLUSION
• Stone Columns are one of the most versatile techniques for

engineering the ground.
• The primary purpose of stone columns is to improve the
settlement characteristics of the soil, increase load bearing capacity,
shear strength, slope stability, time rate of settlement and reducing
liquefaction potential.
• When properly constructed in suitable soils, stone columns offer a
practical alternative to conventional techniques of ground
improvement.
• Stone columns act as drains helping to prevent a build-up in
pore-water pressure in cohesion-less soils during an earthquake.
• The installation of stone columns is more of an art than an exact
science; therefore it requires careful field control and experienced
engineers and contractors
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. IS 15284 (part- I): 2003, “Design & Construction for ground

improvement - Guidelines”.
II. “Theory & Practice of foundation design” by N.N. Som & S.C.
Das.
III. “Foundation analysis and design” (5th edition) by Joseph E.

Bowles.
IV. “Design and Construction of Stone Columns (Volume I)” by

R.D. Barksdale and R.C. Bachus.
V. “Foundation design principles and practices” by Donald P.

Coduto.
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Stone Columns Ground Improvement Technique

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STONE COLUMNS

Civil Engineering Department IUST

2. Stone Column construction techniques

• Stone columns are essentially a method of soil

• The concept was first applied in France in 1830 to

Rammed Stone Column

1. Stone column diameter, D

Triangular arrangement of stone columns

Square arrangement of stone columns

• Stone columns have the following applications:

1. Potential highway uses- highway embankments, bridge approach

2. Footings - raft / isolated.

3. Tanks - LNG storage tank, water storage tank(foundation of

6. Reinforced Earth Retaining walls.

• Stone Columns are one of the most versatile techniques for

I. IS 15284 (part- I): 2003, “Design & Construction for ground

III. “Foundation analysis and design” (5th edition) by Joseph E.

IV. “Design and Construction of Stone Columns (Volume I)” by

V. “Foundation design principles and practices” by Donald P.

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