• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 2019

This paper presents an experimental investigation about visualization of bulging development of geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) based on the digital image correlation (DIC) technique and transparent soil. Visual model tests on GESC and ordinary stone column (OSC) were carried out. In order to delete the warping effect resulting from transparent soil and experiment setup, a modification for experiment results was performed. The bulging development process of the GESC and the displacement field of the surrounding soil were measured. By comparing with the existing experimental and theoretical results, it demonstrates that the model test system developed for studying the continuous bulging development of GESC is suitable. The current test results show that the bulging depth of GESC ranges from 1.05 to 1.40 times the diameter of GESC. The influence depth of GESC bulging on surrounding soil displacement is 0~3 the times diameter of GESC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.434-444
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• 2006

The stone column method is widely used in Europe as an alternative to conventional pile foundations. Several benefits of using the stone column method include sound performance, low cost, expediency of construction, and liquiefaction resistance, among others. Recently, geosynthetic-encased stone column approach has been developed to improve its' load carrying capacity through increasing confinement effect. Although such a concept has successfully applied in practice, fundamentals of the method have not been fully explored. This Paper Presents the results of an investigation on the loading carriying capacity of geogrid-encased stone column using a series of 2D finite element analyses. The results of the analyses indicated improved short- and long-term carrying capacity of the geogrid-encased stone column method over the conventional strone column method with no encasing.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.396-404
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• 2009

This paper presents the results of numerical investigation on support mechanism of geogrid-encased stone columns for use in soft ground. A number of cases were analyzed using a axial- and 3D stress-pore pressure coupled model that can effectively model construction sequence and drainage as well as reinforcing effects of geogrid-encased stone columns. The results indicated that the geogrid encasement tends to significantly improve the load carrying of a stone column. Also revealed was that such a confinement effect depends on encasement length and stiffness of geogrid. It is also shown that there exist critical encasement length and stiffness of geogrid for a given condition.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.5-16
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• 2007

The stone column method is widely used in Europe as an alternative to conventional pile foundations. Several benefits of using the stone column method include sound performance, low cost, expediency of construction, and liquefaction resistance among others. Recently, geosynthetic-encased stone column approach has been developed to improve its load carrying capacity through increasing confinement effect. Although such a concept has been successfully applied in practice, fundamentals of the method have not been fully explored. This paper presents the results of an investigation on the load carrying capacity of geogrid-encased stone column using a series of 2D finite element analyses. A parametric study was then conducted for influencing factors such as effect of geogrid encasement, encasement length, geogrid strength, among others. The results of the analyses indicated improved short- and long-term load carrying capacity of the geogrid-encased stone column method has advantages over the conventional stone column method without encasing.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2007

This study presents a modeling approach for geogrid-encased stone column(GESC) method which is widely used in Europe as an alternative to conventional pile foundations. Several benefits of using the stone column method include sound performance, low cost, expediency of construction, and liquefaction resistance, among others. Recently, geosynthetic-encased stone column approach has been developed to improve load carrying capacity through increasing confinement effect. The aim of this research is to establish a systematic approach for modeling of GESC and to form a database for the fundamentals of GESC. This paper presents details of 3D modeling of GESC together with the general behavior of GESC.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.121-129
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• 2006

Stone column is one of the ground improvement systems which is being used for accelerating consolidation and increasing bearing capacity for settlement sensitive structures like load embankments, bridge abutments, oil storage tanks etc. The effects of this method are enhancement of ground bearing capacity, reduction of settlement, prevention of liquefaction and prevention of lateral ground movement. Recently, geosynthetic reinforced (encased) stone column approach has been developed to improve its load carrying capacity through increasing confinement effect. Although such a concept has successfully been applied in practice, fundamentals of the method have not been fully explored. This paper presents the results of an investigation on the bearing capacity and failure mechanism of geogrid-encased stone column by model tests. The results of the analyses indicated improved bearing capacity of the geogrid reinforced stone column method over the conventional strone column method with no encasing.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.417-439
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• 2017

The stone columns are increasingly being used as a soil improvement method for supporting a wide variety of structures (such as road embankment, buildings, storage tanks etc.) especially built on soft soil. Soil improvement by the stone column method overcomes the settlement problem and low stability. Nevertheless, stone column in very soft soils may not be functional due to insufficient lateral confinement. The required lateral confinement can be overcome by encasing the stone column with a suitable geosynthetic. Encasement of stone columns with geogrid is one of the ideal forms of improving the performance of stone columns. This paper presents the results of a series of experimental tests and numerical analysis to investigate the behavior of stone columns with and without geogrid encasement in soft clay deposits. A total of six small scale laboratory tests were carried out using circular footing with diameters of 0.05 m and 0.1 m. In addition, a well-known available software program called PLAXIS was used to numerical analysis, which was validated by the experimental tests. After good validation, detailed of parametric studies were performed. Different parameters such as bearing capacity of stone columns with and without geogrid encasement, stiffness of geogrid encasement, depth of encasement from ground level, diameter of stone columns, internal friction angle of crushed stone and lateral bulging of stone columns were analyzed. As a result of this study, stone column method can be used in the improvement of soft ground and clear development in the bearing capacity of the stone column occurs due to geogrid encasement. Moreover, the bearing capacity is effected from the diameter of the stone column, the angle of internal friction, rigidity of the encasement, and depth of encasement. Lateral bulging is minimized by geogrid encasement and effected from geogrid rigidity, depth of encasement and diameter of the stone column.