DIFFERENT FAILURE MODES THAT CAN OCCUR IN OVEREXCAVATION AND REPLACEMENT METHOD OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT

Like foundations on original soil, foundations in over-excavated and replaced soil of finite extent, have three kinds of failure: 1. General shear failure 2. Punching shear failure 3. Local shear failure(almost similar to general shear failure) In the below diagrams, Zone I: Zone of Elastic Equilibrium Zone II: Zone of Radial Shear State Zone III: Zone of Rankine Passive State W=width of replaced zone B= width of footing D=depth of footing H=depth of replaced zone

The extent of replaced zone decides the failure mode. 1. If the replaced zone is of large extent compared to footing, the failure lines are totally confined within it.

2. If the replaced zone is of finite dimensions the failure mode will be of two types: a) General shear failure: original soil is soft saturated normally consolidated clay.

b) Punching shear failure: original soil is stiff clay or granular soil. It can be of two types: I) Foundation can punch through the replaced zone, which is represented in the figure below:

II)

The entire replaced zone can punch through the original soil, which is shown below:

The General Shear Failure is most unlikely to occur if the soils are only replaced within a narrow zone, because punching soil failure is most likely in this case.