Numerical Analysis of the Settlement Behavior of Soft Soil Improved with Stone Columns

The use of column-like elements for improving both the settlement performance and bearing capacity foundations constructed over soft soils is well understood large groups columns supporting an infinitely wide load, such as embankments slabs. However, little still lightly loaded, low-rise structures supported by pad on a finite number stone columns, particularly when crust layer present at top soil. In this study, comprehensive 3D element analysis used to investigate influence key design parameters, column spacing, length, footing shape, presence layer, behavior support shallow foundations. results show that modeling well-characterized soil profile predicts long-term using drained undrained analyses. It was found stiff has significant deformational mode which not captured laboratory modeling.