Appraising stone column settlement prediction methods using finite element analyses

Numerous approaches exist for the prediction of the settlement improvement offered by the vibro-replacement technique in weak or marginal soil deposits. The majority of the settlement prediction methods are based on the unit cell assumption, with a small number based on plane strain or homogenisatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta geotechnica 2014-12, Vol.9 (6), p.993-1011
Main Authors: Sexton, Brian G., McCabe, Bryan A., Castro, Jorge
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Engineering
Finite element analysis
Finite element method
Foundations
Geoengineering
Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences
Homogenizing
Hydraulics
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Modular ratios
Research Paper
Settlements
Soft and Granular Matter
Soil (material)
Soil Science & Conservation
Solid Mechanics
Stone
Two dimensional
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Summary:Numerous approaches exist for the prediction of the settlement improvement offered by the vibro-replacement technique in weak or marginal soil deposits. The majority of the settlement prediction methods are based on the unit cell assumption, with a small number based on plane strain or homogenisation techniques. In this paper, a comprehensive review and assessment of the more popular settlement prediction methods is carried out with a view to establishing which method(s) is/are in best agreement with finite element predictions from a series of PLAXIS 2D axisymmetric analyses on an end-bearing column. The Hardening Soil Model in PLAXIS 2D has been used to model the behaviour of both the granular column material and the treated soft clay soil. This study has shown that purely elastic settlement prediction methods overestimate the settlement improvement for large modular ratios, while the methods based on elastic–plastic theory are in better agreement with finite element predictions at higher modular ratios. In addition, a parameter sensitivity study has been carried out to establish the influence of a range of different design parameters on predictions obtained using a selection of elastic–plastic methods.
ISSN:1861-1125
1861-1133
DOI:10.1007/s11440-013-0260-5