PhD Thesis on Stone Column Embankments
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Questions and Answers

What are stone columns used for?

Ground modification and load bearing support

What is Lithomargic clay?

A type of clay used in geotechnical applications

Which of these is a geosynthetic material?

  • Reinforced concrete
  • Steel beam
  • Wooden planks
  • Geogrid (correct)
  • What is the main purpose of geocells?

    <p>Reinforcement of soil structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the stress concentration ratio (SCR) measure?

    <p>The distribution of stress in soil or foundations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Geosynthetic encased stone columns can increase load-bearing capacity.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the unit cell concept used for?

    <p>Arrangement of stone columns in the field.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Mohr-Coulomb model primarily used for?

    <p>Stress-strain analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the lateral deflection of GESC from the axisymmetric analysis?

    <p>Measured response of GESC under load.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'UCS' stand for in the context of foundation settlement?

    <p>Unconfined Compressive Strength</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The arrangement of stone columns is always in a square layout.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of drainage layer thickness on foundation soil settlement?

    <p>It can influence the amount of settlement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following models with their primary purpose:

    <p>Axisymmetric model = Simplified analysis of cylindrical structures 3D column model = Detailed analysis of column behavior Geosynthetic encasement = Reinforcement of weak soils Full 3D model = Comprehensive analysis of complex interactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'improvement factor' indicate?

    <p>The effectiveness of reinforcement methods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the full title of the research thesis?

    <p>Performance Evaluation of Encased Stone Column Supported Embankments with Geosynthetic Materials as Basal Reinforcement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the author of the thesis?

    <p>Vibhoosha M.P.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the register number of the author?

    <p>165017CV16F19</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which materials were evaluated for basal reinforcement in the study?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A single geogrid encased stone column improved the load-carrying capacity of lithomargic clay by 180%.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect did geogrid encasement have on column bulging?

    <p>Reduced bulging by 82%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which software was used for numerical modeling in the research?

    <p>ABAQUS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the percentage reduction in foundation surface settlement with geocell-sand mattresses?

    <p>80%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which infill material was considered the best suited in the study?

    <p>Aggregates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does GESC stand for?

    <p>Geosynthetic Encased Stone Column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the maximum bulging visible depth in both cases for bulging of stone columns?

    <p>3.5 D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are geocells used for?

    <p>Geocells are used for applications like pavements, foundations, embankments, slope protection, and erosion control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Geocells are eco-friendly and have a low strength-to-weight ratio.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary benefit of using geocells?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the studies by U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station in the late 1970s focus on?

    <p>They focused on various soil reinforcement methods for improving the movement of military vehicles over weak subgrade.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which materials were found to perform better than conventional base courses according to Webster and Watkins (1977)?

    <p>Sand base course reinforced by isolated plastic tubes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The proposed system in this research is a Geosynthetic Reinforced _______ System (GRPES).

    <p>Piled Embankment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the three-dimensional honeycomb structure of geocells play?

    <p>It confines the soil present in the pockets, allowing for increased stability and stiffness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are stone columns commonly used for?

    <p>Stone columns are used for supporting embankments, liquid storage tanks, raft foundations, and other low-rise structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Encasement of stone columns does not provide any additional benefits.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method of ground improvement discussed in the document?

    <p>Excavation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the three-dimensional confinement provided by geocells?

    <p>It restricts lateral movement of infill soil, resulting in increased shear strength and stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage does footing on geocell reinforced soil exhibit compared to unreinforced soil base?

    <p>Higher bearing capacity and reduced settlement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Geocells are ineffective for embankment construction over soft soil.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which methods are commonly used for remedial actions on embankment construction over weaker subgrades?

    <p>Chemical treatment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when geocells are used in reinforced railway ballast?

    <p>Significant reduction of vertical deformations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following applications with their effectiveness of geocell reinforcement:

    <p>Soil erosion control = Retards surface runoff Embankment construction = Distributes loads effectively Railway ballast = Reduces vertical deformation Slope stability = Increases factor of safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the optimum footing diameter ratio relative to geocell cell width according to Rea and Mitchell?

    <p>1.5 to 2.0 times cell width.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Geocell height has no effect on its load-bearing capacity.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What pocket size of geocell is considered optimum according to Dash et al.?

    <p>0.8 times the footing diameter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which material properties affect the performance of geocell reinforcement?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main benefit of using textured geocells over smooth-walled ones?

    <p>Higher degree of frictional interaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are ground modification techniques? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Dynamic compaction or vibration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Geocells are a planar soil reinforcement system.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does ECA stand for?

    <p>Equivalent Composite Approach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main components of the term 'geocell'?

    <p>geo and cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ is a vertical column element formed below the ground level with compacted stone fragments.

    <p>stone column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one benefit of using geosynthetic encased stone columns?

    <p>Higher degree of compaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the abbreviation GESC stand for?

    <p>Geosynthetic Encased Stone Column</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum depth for problematic soil replacement?

    <p>3 m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which material is commonly used as an admixture for soil modification?

    <p>Fly ash</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The load-bearing mechanism of the stone column involves lateral ______ of columns into surrounding soil.

    <p>bulging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of stone columns over conventional piling solutions?

    <p>Cost and time savings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of footing does Rea and Mitchell (1978) study?

    <p>Circular footing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the shape of the opening studied by Mandal and Gupta (1994)?

    <p>Hexagonal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the width of the rectangular footing according to Mhaiskar and Mandal (1996)?

    <p>0.625B</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pattern is associated with the strip footings in Dash et al. (2001b)?

    <p>Chevron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the width of the chevron circular footing studied by Dash et al. (2003)?

    <p>2.1D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of footing does Latha et al. (2006) research?

    <p>Strip footing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sireesh et al. (2009) studied a circular footing.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The width of the square footing according to Davarifard and Tafreshi (2015) is ______.

    <p>0.2D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the opening shape for the footing discussed by Biswas et al. (2016)?

    <p>Circular</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the researchers with their corresponding footing types:

    <p>Rea and Mitchell (1978) = Circular footing Mandal and Gupta (1994) = Strip footing Mhaiskar and Mandal (1996) = Rectangular footing Latha et al. (2006) = Chevron Strip footing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Overview

    • Thesis titled "Performance Evaluation of Encased Stone Column Supported Embankments with Geosynthetic Materials as Basal Reinforcement."
    • Submitted by Vibhoosha M.P. for a PhD in Civil Engineering at NIT Karnataka in December 2021.

    Declaration and Certification

    • Research work confirmed to be original and not submitted elsewhere.
    • Supervised by Dr. Sitaram Nayak and Dr. Anjana Bhasi, both from Civil Engineering departments.

    Acknowledgments

    • Expressed gratitude to advisors, colleagues, family, and the broader academic community for support.
    • Acknowledged contributions from faculty members, research committees, and laboratory staff.

    Abstract Insights

    • Focus on lithomargic clay found in the Konkan belt of India, which faces strength issues when saturated.
    • Investigation of the effect of different designs of geogrid encased stone columns on the performance of lithomargic clay, using both experimental and finite element analyses.

    Key Findings

    • Load Carrying Capacity:

      • Single geogrid encased stone column with a basal geogrid layer increased load capacity by 180%.
      • Three geogrid encased stone columns with the same surface area enhanced load capacity by 210%.
    • Column Bulging:

      • Geogrid encasement reduced maximum column bulging by 38%.
      • Bulging was further reduced by 82% with a basal geogrid layer compared to ordinary stone columns.
    • Geocell Reinforcement:

      • Geocells demonstrated superior reinforcement capabilities due to cost-effectiveness and three-dimensional confinement.
      • 3D numerical modeling was essential due to the complexity of geocell structures.
    • Performance Improvement:

      • Adding a geocell layer improved stress concentration ratio by 47% at the end of consolidation compared to GESC alone.
      • Foundation surface settlement reduced by 80% with geocell-sand mattresses.

    Stress and Deformation Analysis

    • Minimal arching behavior observed in reinforced columnar structures.
    • Numerical models indicated overestimation of stress concentration ratio and bearing capacity when using equivalent composite approach.

    Settlement and Bulging Reduction

    • Vertical settlement reductions of 78% and 79% achieved with single and double basal geogrids, respectively.
    • Maximum bulging reduction of 69% in GESC versus ordinary stone columns with a single basal layer; reductions of 52% and 54% for two basal layers and geocell, respectively.

    Material Suitability

    • Aggregates found to be the most suitable infill for optimal stress concentration ratios and vertical settlements.
    • Mobilized tensile stress in geocell was highest for aggregates and lowest for quarry dust.

    Proposed System

    • Encased stone columns with geocells at the embankment base resemble a Geosynthetic Reinforced Piled Embankment System (GRPES).
    • Time-dependent analyses showed that GESC plus one basal layer reduced lateral deformation near the toe by 87% compared to unreinforced structures.

    Design Method Comparisons

    • Terraza’s method and BS 8006 exhibited closer predictions for stress reduction ratios than other methods for low height embankments.
    • Guido et al. (1987) method provided good alignment with full 3D model results for basal geogrid tension, indicating a more reliable design approach.

    Overall, the thesis demonstrates significant advancements in understanding and improving the performance of embankments supported by encased stone columns and geosynthetic materials.### Ground Modification Techniques

    • Various methods used to enhance the engineering properties of soil.
    • Stone column technique is a common method for improving load-bearing capacity.

    Stone Columns

    • Function by transferring loads from the structure to deeper, more stable soil layers.
    • Load-bearing mechanism is crucial for their effectiveness.

    Geosynthetic Encased Stone Columns (GESC)

    • Innovative design that integrates geosynthetics to enhance the performance of stone columns.
    • Provides improved lateral confinement and overall load distribution.

    Geocells

    • Reinforcement structures made of polymeric materials, creating cellular configurations.
    • History of use in geotechnical engineering for increasing load distribution and decreasing settlement.
    • Mechanism involves soil confinement, preventing lateral movement and increasing shear strength.

    Lithomargic Clay

    • A type of clay that plays a significant role in foundation stability.
    • Specific behavior under load, which affects the performance of stone columns and geocells.

    Finite Element Method (FEM)

    • A numerical method for solving complex engineering problems, particularly in continuum mechanics.
    • Key advantages include flexibility in modeling complex geometries and loading conditions.
    • Disadvantages include high computational costs and the need for expertise in modeling.

    Numerical Analysis

    • Critical for understanding soil-structure interaction and predicting settlement behavior.
    • Case studies and models help validate design approaches and assess performance.

    Experimental Studies

    • Focus on understanding stress concentration ratios and load settlement behaviors of stone columns.
    • Investigate the effects of column configurations on load-bearing capacities and stress distribution.

    Parameters Influencing Geocell Performance

    • Factors such as stiffness, drainage layer thickness, and material properties influence the effectiveness of geocell reinforcements.
    • Improvement factors indicate the enhancement in load capacity achieved with geocells.

    Key Concepts

    • Stress Concentration Ratio (SCR): A measure of how stress is distributed in the soil and structures, critical for predicting failures.
    • Soil Arching: A phenomenon where soil redistributes stresses, enhancing overall stability.

    Load Transfer Mechanisms

    • Effective load transfer from superficial or soft soils to more competent layers through stone columns and geocells.

    Future Research Directions

    • Continued exploration into the efficiency of various reinforcement techniques.
    • Development of improved models and methods to predict real-world performance under varying conditions.### Overview of Structural Analysis Techniques
    • Stone columns arrangement includes unit cell concept and tributary area considerations.
    • Mesh discretization is critical for accurate modeling of soils and structures, ensuring precise analysis.

    Mohr-Coulomb and Modified Cam Clay Models

    • Mohr-Coulomb model utilized to depict stress-strain behavior and yield surfaces in principal stress space.
    • Modified Cam Clay model shows yield surfaces in q–p' plane, key for understanding soil mechanics.

    Geosynthetic Reinforcement and GESC

    • GESC (Geogrid Encased Stone Column) systems enhance stability in embankment constructions.
    • Different layout configurations (square and triangular) for stone columns affect load distribution and settlement behavior.

    Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Applications

    • Various FEA models developed include axisymmetric and 3D representations, aiding in the simulation of complex interactions.
    • Use of membrane elements for reinforcement modeling evaluates the performance of geosynthetics in soil stabilization.

    Lateral Deflection and Strain Analysis

    • Analysis identifies lateral deflections and hoop strain in GESC for different modeling approaches, highlighting structural response under loads.

    Soil Properties and Performance Testing

    • Properties of lithomargic clay and stone aggregates significantly influence foundation behavior and consolidation.
    • Compaction and gradation curves are essential for understanding material performance under structural loads.

    Loading Mechanisms and Settlement Response

    • Load tests on stone columns reveal detailed pressure-settlement responses, crucial for foundation design validation.
    • Improvement Factors (IF) gauge the effectiveness of reinforcement methods across single and group configurations of columns.

    Stress Concentration Ratios (SCR)

    • SCR variations provide insights into load resilience and structural integrity under various design and layering conditions.
    • The geogrid's inclusion significantly alters stress distribution across embankment systems, enhancing support capacity.

    Effects of Reinforcement and Configuration

    • Different arrangements of reinforcement layers lead to varied structural performance, indicating optimization through design complexity.
    • The study explores effects of geogrid stiffness, drainage layer thickness, and modular ratio on settlement and stress responses.

    Consolidation and Time-Settlement Analysis

    • Time-settlement graphs highlight the relation of consolidation with geosynthetic reinforcement and emergent settlement patterns.
    • Variations in excess pore water pressure are monitored to assess drainage effectiveness during and after loading conditions.

    Arching Effects in Embankments

    • Arching phenomena are analyzed to understand load transfer mechanisms, critical for the design of effective geosynthetic systems.
    • The study outlines interactions between lateral bulging and vertical stress distributions under different loading scenarios.

    Summary of Analytical Techniques and Findings

    • The document provides comprehensive tables summarizing parameters, properties, and results critical to understanding soil reinforcement interactions.
    • A full range of graphical representations elucidates complex relationships between design parameters and structural performances.

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    Description

    Explore the performance evaluation of encased stone columns used in embankments, with a focus on geosynthetic materials as basal reinforcement. This thesis presents findings relevant to civil engineering and offers insights into contemporary practices in terrain stabilization.

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