Experimental evaluation of lime column as a ground improvement method in soft soils

• Published in: SN applied sciences 2021-10, Vol.3 (10), p.799-9, Article 799
• Main Authors: Hussain, Shabir, Fahim, Muhammad, Khan, Fasih Ahmed, Zaman, Saeed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Bearing strength; Capital losses; Carrying capacity; Chemistry/Food Science; Civil engineering; Columns (structural); Deformation effects; Density; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Grain size; Ground improvement; Laboratories; Laboratory tests; Lime columns; Load carrying capacity; Materials Science; Moisture content; Physical properties; Research Article; Shear strength; Slenderness ratio; Soft soil; Soft soils; Soil bearing capacity; Soil lime; Soil strength; Soil treatment; Stiffness; Ultimate loads
• ISSN: 2523-3963; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04781-4

Lime column (LC) is an effective method for ground improvement which causes reduction in settlement and enhancement in bearing capacity of soft soils, subsequently resulting in economical foundations. This study investigates the effects of LC on soft soil with the help of laboratory tests. Firstly, basic laboratory tests are performed on natural soil followed by load deformation tests on untreated and LC treated soils. LC effects on natural soil are studied by changing various parameters like shear strength of soil (54 kPa, 32 kPa, 14 kPa), slenderness ratio (4, 5.5, and 7) and spacing to diameter ratio (2, 3). Experimental results show that LC significantly increases load carrying capacity and stiffness for soils having higher shear strength. For soil samples of 54 kPa and 32 kPa, the load carrying capacity increases by 48 and 21% respectively whereas 75% increase in average stiffness (β = 1.75) is observed. However, LC are found to be ineffective at very low shear strength of 14 kPa. In case of group LC, increasing column spacing from 2 to 3D (D: diameter of LC) significantly decreases load carrying capacity of treated soil. It is also observed that increase in LC slenderness ratio causes a decrease in ultimate load carrying capacity. Article highlights Lime columns can be used to increase load carrying capacity of soft soils, especially in soils having relatively higher shear strength. In case of group columns, the spacing should not be more than two times the diameter of the column. The length of the lime columns should not be more than four times the diameter for better results.