NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INSTALLATION OF END BEARING AND FLOATING STONE COLUMNS

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the influence of stone column installation on the behavior of the surrounding improved soil. Two-dimensional axisymmetric and three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses (FEA) are carried out simulate the installation process of end-bearing and floating columns. A parametric study is conducted with cavity expansion using various parameters. This study shows that stone column installation could be simulated using 3D FEA with limitations. Well-documented case histories are employed to develop an empirical data in estimating the post-installation coefficient of lateral earth pressure. Evaluation of analytical methods is discussed for floating and end-bearing columns through a database of settlement field measurements of improved soil. The use of estimated post-installation coefficient of lateral earth pressure in available analytical methods or FEA obtains settlement results that are in very well agreement to the field measurements.