29-10-2014

GROUND IMPROVEMENT
TECHNIQUES

APPLICATION OF
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

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GroundTreatment/Improvement
Groundtreatmentisthecontrolledalteration ofthestate,natureor
massbehaviourofgroundmaterials inordertoachieveanintended
satisfactoryresponsetoexistingorprojectedenvironmentaland
engineeringactions.

Ground/Soil Improvement: Enhancement of the inplace properties

of the ground/soil by controlled application of technique suited to
the subsoil conditions.
For a particular situation/site more than one method of ground improvement
technique may appear to be suitable. In such cases a relative study should be
made for a proper selection. If necessary, a combination of more than one
method may be more suitable.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

GroundTreatment/Improvement
NeedforGroundImprovement Concerns

Mechanicalpropertiesarenotadequate
Swellingandshrinkage
Collapsiblesoils
Softsoils
Organicsoilsandpeatysoils
Sandsandgravellydeposits,karst depositswithsinkhole
formations
Foundationsondumpsandsanitarylandfills
Handlingdredgedmaterials
Handlinghazardousmaterialsincontactwithsoils
Useofoldminepits

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

29-10-2014

GroundTreatment/Improvement

GroundTreatment/Improvement

NeedforGroundImprovement Concerns

NeedforGroundImprovement Projectspecific
Basedonloadintensity(exertedbythestructure)andthesubsoil
investigationdatafortheproposedsite,foundationdesignshallbecarried
out(includingsizingandsettlementanalysis).

Shrinkage

Groundimprovementisneeded:
Ifthenetloadingintensityofthefoundationexceedstheallowablepressure
(IS 6403:1981)
(IS6403:1981)

Swelling
Collapsible
soil
Soft clay

Liquefaction

Iftheresultantsettlement(computedasperIS8009)exceedstheacceptable
limitsforthestructurebothviewpointofdistortionsinducedinthestructure
andfromoperationangle[evenforrelativelowloadingintensities].
Ifthedissipationofexcessporepressureduetoenhancedloading(proposed
structure)takesmoretime
Ifstabilityofsoilinslopesneedtobeenhancedsubstantially(byuseofsoil
reinforcement)

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Sinkhole
Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy,
IIT Kanpur

Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

GroundTreatment/Improvement

GroundTreatment/Improvement

NeedforGroundImprovement Strategies

NatureofImprovement
temporary: improvement is only during the application
e.g. dewatering or ground freezing,
short-term: improvement is aimed only for short-term application
e.g. some forms of grouting, or use of diaphragm walls
for ease of construction with longer term benefits
long-term: improvement meant for permanent solution
e.g. soil nailing, vibro-replacement, curtain grouting of
a dam, where the treatment is integral to the
permanent works.

When a project encounters difficult foundation conditions,

possible alternative solutions are
Avoid the particular site
Remove and replace unsuitable soils and redesign the
proposed
p
p
structure accordingly
gy
Enable cost effective foundation design
Attempt to modify existing ground
Reduce the effects of contaminated soils
Ensure sustainability in construction projects using ground
improvement techniques

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Ifsubsoilispronetoliquefaction
Dr. Rajesh

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

29-10-2014

GroundTreatment/Improvement
Effectongroundduetogroundimprovement
Changeofstate
thesamegroundbutmadestronger,stiffer,denser,moredurable

Changeofresponse
thegroundbecomesacompositematerialwithenhancedload
carrying or deformation characteristics through the incorporation of other
carryingordeformationcharacteristicsthroughtheincorporationofother
materials

Changeofnature

VariousGroundImprovementTechniques
SoilImprovement
SurfaceCompaction
DeepDynamic
Compaction
Blasting
Drainage/Surcharge
Electroosmosis
Compactiongrouting

thegroundbecomesadifferentmaterialbyinclusionofother
materials
Changeinstate

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

GroundTreatment/Improvement
Generalclassificationofgroundmodificationtechniques
MechanicalModification
Hydraulicmodification
Physicalandchemical
modification
Modificationbyinclusion
andconfinement

Changeinnature

Changeinresponse

SoilTreatment
SoilCement
LimeAdmixtures
Flyash
Dewatering
Heating/Freezing

SoilReinforcement
Geosynthetics
FiberReinforcement
MechanicallyStabilized
Earth
StoneColumns
Lime Columns
LimeColumns
VibroConcreteColumn
GroundAnchors
SoilNails
DeepSoilNailing
Micropiles(Minipiles)
JetGrouting
Biotechnical

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

FactorsaffectingtheselectionofGIT
Typeanddegreeofimprovementrequired
Bearingcapacityimprovement,settlementreduction,
permeabilityenhancement/decrease,longterm/shortterm,
liquefactionresistance.
Typeofsoil,geologicalstructure,seepageconditions
yp
y/
,
p
p
Typeofclay/sandandfoundation,roleofporepressureand
seepage,presenceofdifficultgeologicalcondition.
Costs,equipment,specifications
Sizeoftheproject,availabilityofequipment,transportation
costs,experiencedcontractors,specificationofwork,guidance
documents.

Combinationoftheabove

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

29-10-2014

FactorsaffectingtheselectionofGIT(cont.)

FactorsaffectingtheselectionofGIT(cont.)

Possibledamagetoadjacentstructureorpollutionofground
waterresources
Tolerablelevelsofloadinganddeformation,porewater
contamination

Reliabilityofmethodsoftesting,analysisanddesign
Goodmethodsoftesting,provenmethodsofdesignand
analysisshouldbeusedandempiricalapproachesneedtobe
avoided

Durabilityofthematerialsinvolved
Shorttermandlongterm,corrosion,aggressivesoilcondition

Feasibilityofconstructioncontrolandperformancemeasurements
Documentsofqualitycontrolandperformancearerequiredin
majorgroundimprovementprojects

Toxicityandcorrosivity ofanychemicaladditives
Governmentregulationsmayrestrictthechoiceofadditives
Reversibilityorirreversibilityoftheprocess
Limeaddedtoexpansivesoilreactsinpresenceofsulphate

Constructiontime
Constructiontimeavailable,useofacceleratedconstruction
technique.

Reusabilityofcomponentssuchassteel,plastics,concreteetc

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

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ObjectivesofGroundImprovementTechniques

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

GroundTreatment/Improvement
GroundImprovementTechniques Themes

Increaseofstrength
Reducedistortionunderstress(Increasesstressstrainmodulus)

SoilDensification

Reducecompressibility(volumedecreasesduetoareductionin
airvoidsorwatercontentunderloads)

Preloadinganddrains

Preventdetrimentalphysicalorchemicalchangesdueto
environmentalconditions(freezing/thawing,wetting/drying)

InjectionandGrouting

Reducesusceptibilitytoliquefaction

SoilReinforcement

Reducenaturalvariabilityofborrowmaterialsandfoundation
soils

Replacement/Admixures
/Heating/Thawing

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

29-10-2014

SoilDensification
Significance

SoilDensification

Asimplegroundimprovementtechnique,wherethesoilis
densified throughexternalcompactive effort
Byapplicationofshockandvibrationtothesubsoilandthereby
causingarrangementofthesoilstructurefromalooseto
medium dense state
mediumdensestate.
Methods
Shallowcompaction
Dynamiccompaction/consolidation
Vibrocompaction
Dynamicreplacement
Blasting

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

SoilDensification
Shallowcompaction

AdvantagesofCompaction
Increasesshearstrength
Reducescompressibility
Reducespermeability
Reducesliquefactionpotential
Controlsswellingandshrinking
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Prolongsdurability
Dr.

SoilDensification
Shallowcompaction

Strategiesforshallowcompactionprocessare
Inthecaseofconstructedfills,specifyplacementconditions
(watercontent,density,depthoflayers,etc.)
Selectappropriateequipment(rollercompactor,tamping)and
methodofoperation(numberofpasses,patternsoftamping,etc.).
Setupadequatecontrolprocedures(typeandnumberoftests,
statisticalevaluation,etc.).
FieldCompactionMethods
Smoothwheelroller
Vibratoryroller/plates
Pneumaticrubbertiredroller
Sheepsfoot roller
Impactroller

Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Vibratingplateprimarily
forgranularsoilsandfor
verysmallareas

Sheepsfoot roller
veryeffectiveforclays

Smoothwheelroller effective
onlyto200300mmdepth;

Impactroller providesdeeper(2
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Dr. Rajesh
3m)compaction;usedinrunways

Pneumaticrubbertired
roller eightwheeled
machinedesignedfor
rollinghotmixasphalt
surfacetreatmentsand
Sathiyamoorthy,
IIT Kanpur
soilstabilization

29-10-2014

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Classification

Deepcompactiontechniques
arerequiredwheninsitusoil
extendingtolargedepths
doesnotmeetthe
requirementsofperformance
criteria specified for the
criteriaspecifiedforthe
expectedloadingand
environmentalconditions.
Methods
Dynamiccompaction/
consolidation
haywardbaker.com
Vibrocompaction
Dynamicreplacement
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Blastdensification
Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Dynamiccompaction
Itisthecompactionofunsaturatedorhighlypermeablesaturatedgranular
materialsbyheavytamping.Theresponsetotampingisimmediate.
Dynamicconsolidation
Theimprovementbyheavytampingofsaturatedcohesivematerialsin
whichtheresponsetotampingislargelytimedependent.
Excessporewaterpressuresaregeneratedasaresultoftampingand
dissipateoverseveralhoursordaysaftertamping.
Dynamicreplacement
Theformationbyheavytampingoflargepillarsofimportedgranularsoil
withinthebodyofsoftsaturatedsoiltobeimproved
Theoriginalsoilishighlycompressedandconsolidatedbetweenthepillars
andtheexcessporepressuregeneratedrequiresseveralhourstodissipate
Thepillarsareusedbothforsoilreinforcementanddrainage

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SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Dynamiccompaction/consolidation

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Dynamiccompaction/consolidation

Techniqueinvolvesrepeatedlydroppingalarge
weightfromacrane
Weightmayrangefrom6to172tons
Dropheighttypicallyvariesfrom10mto40m
Degreeofdensificationachievedisafunctionofthe
energyinput(weightanddropheight)aswellasthe
saturationlevel,finescontentandpermeabilityof
thematerial.
6 30tonweightcandensify theloosesandstoa
depthof3mto12m
Donesystematicallyinarectangularortriangular
patterninphases
Eachphasecanhavenumberofpasses;primary,
secondary,tertiary,etc.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Typicallythistechnique shouldnotbecarried
outwithin15mofexisting servicesand30m
fromexistingbuildings.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

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SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Dynamiccompaction/consolidation

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Vibrocompaction
Aloosesoilornonhomogeneousgranular
fill canbecompactedtodepthbythe
penetrationofvibratingprobesor
vibroflots (inahorizontaldirection).
ThemainpurposeofVibrocompaction isto
increasethedensityoftheinsitu soilsby
vibration.
Effectivetreatmentatdepths2mto20m.
Optimisedandlocalisedtreatment
offeringflexiblesolutionfordiffering
soils.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

CE451A

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Vibrocompaction
Usingtherigspulldownforce,waterjettingandsustainedvibrationallowsthe
probetopenetratetothedesigndepth.
Waterjettingisthendecreased,andtheresultingsoilconefacilitatesthere
arrangementofthesoilparticles.Granularfillcanthenbeincorporatedatthe
surface(topfeed)intothecreatedvoid.Thewaterflowdownthevibrating
probe assists in the transportation of the backfill down to the compaction zone
probeassistsinthetransportationofthebackfilldowntothecompactionzone
atthevibratingprobesbase.
Thevibratingprobeisgradually
liftedtoproduceacylinderof
compactedgroundof24m
diameter,dependingonthesoil
andvibroflot used.
Thisdensificationcreatesaconical
crater,thatisthenfilledwiththe
granularbackfill,astheprobeis
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Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur
removed

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

SoilDensification
Deepcompaction Dynamicreplacement
Dynamicreplacementisanextensionofdynamic/vibro
compactiontohighlycompressible,organicandweak
soils.
Inthisapplication,thetampingenergydrivesgranular
fillmaterialdownintothecompressiblesoilstoforma
largediametersoilreinforcementcolumn,witha
diameterof23.5m.
Popularlyknownasstonecolumns.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

29-10-2014

SoilDensification

SoilDensification

Blastdensification
Controlledblasting/Explosive
compactionisadensificationtechnology
usedtodensify loose,saturated,medium
tocoarsematerials.
Explosivecompactionrequiresinstalling
plasticcasings ranginginsizefrom80mm
to130mmindiametertoanydepth.
Theholesarechargedwithmultiple,pre
packagedexplosivecartridgesseparated
bygravelstemming.
Themethodisfasterthanpreloadingand
cheaperthandeepcementmixing.
Itcandensify coarsegrainedsoilupto40
m.Itiseffectivewhenthesoftsoillayer
tobereplacedislessthan10m.

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur

Comparison
SoilsinzonesAandBcanbe
compactedbythe deep
vibratorycompaction
methodvibrocompaction
(alsocalledvibroflotation),
whilesoilsofzonesCandD
cannotbecompactedby
vibrationalone.
SoilsinzoneCareoftenfoundonsiteswhereliquefactionduetoearthquakesis
ofconcern.ThesesoilscanbecompactedduringtheinstallationofStone
Columns.
SoilsinzoneDare notcompactablebyvibration,butcanbesubstantially
reinforced,stiffenedanddrainedbyinstallingStoneColumns

CE451A

Dr. Rajesh Sathiyamoorthy, IIT Kanpur