1.

Role of ground improvement in foundation engineering:

2. Ground improvement methods: The ground improvement processes can generally be divided into four
categories:
(i)Mechanical modification—Includes physical manipulation of earth materials, which most commonly refers to
controlled densification either by place- ment and compaction of soils as designed “engineered fills,” or “in
situ” (in place) methods of improvement for deeper applications. Many engineer- ing properties and behaviors
can be improved by controlled densification of soils by compaction methods. Other in situ methods of
improvement may involve adding material to the ground as is the case for strengthening and reinforcing the
ground with nonstructural members.

(ii)Hydraulic modification—Where flow, seepage, and drainage characteristics in the ground are altered. This
includes lowering of the water table by drainage or dewatering wells, increasing or decreasing permeability of
soils, forcing consolidation and preconsolidation to minimize future set- tlements, reducing compressibility and
increasing strength, filtering groundwater flow, controlling seepage gradients, and creating hydraulic barriers.
Control or alteration of hydraulic characteristics may be attained through a variety of techniques, which may
well incorporate improve- ment methods associated with other ground improvement categories.

(iii)Physical and chemical modification—“Stabilization” of soils caused by a vari- ety of physiochemical

changes in the structure and/or chemical makeup of the soil materials or ground. Soil properties and/or behavior
are mod- ified with the addition of materials that alter basic soil properties through physical mixing processes or
injection of materials (grouting), or by ther- mal treatments involving temperature extremes. The changes tend
to be permanent (with the exception of ground freezing), resulting in a mate- rial that can have significantly
improved characteristics. Recent work with biostabilization, which would include adding/introducing microbial
methods, may also be placed in this category.

(iv)Modification by inclusions, confinement, and reinforcement—Includes use of structural members or other

manufactured materials integrated with the ground. These may consist of reinforcement with tensile elements;
soil anchors and “nails”; reinforcing geosynthetics; confinement of (usu- ally granular) materials with cribs,
gabions, and “webs”; and use of light- weight materials such as polystyrene foam or other lightweight fills. In
general, this type of ground improvement is purely physical through the use of structural components.
Reinforcing soil by vegetating the ground surface could also fall into this category.
3. Geotechnical problems in lateritic, alluvial and black cotton soils:

(i) Laterites and lateritic soils: There are two types of laterites, namely, the primary and the secondary.
Primary laterite is found in situ. Primary laterite is found at high altitudes near hills. Secondary laterites are
found in the coastal belt. These are formed from sedimentary deposits such as gravels and pebbles by
sesquioxide impregnation and cementation. They are pellet type and are quite different from the underlying soil
or bed rock. This may create problems in foundations, if a thin laterite layer overlies a soft material. Laterites
are reddish in colour and are hard in the dry state. But not all soils which show these characteristics are laterites.
If the grain size increases upon alternate wetting and drying cycles, the soil is a laterite. Lateritic soils do not
show this characteristic. Generally, laterites pose no difficulties as foundation material and retain their slopes
well. However, there is a continuous softening effect with depth and in some cases, the presence of worm holes
in laterites need to be examined carefully. Laterites show variability in their properties, depending on the stage

of weathering.

(ii) Black cotton soil: These soils have been formed from basalt or trap and contain the clay mineral
montmorillonite, which is responsible for the excessive swelling and shrinkage characteristics of the soil.The
structures are most susceptible to damage as a result of the volume changes in the soil. Under-reamed piles are
considered most suitable as foundations for houses and other light structures. These piles are taken to depths
below the zone of seasonal variation in moisture content.

(iii) Alluvial soil: The alluvial deposits have alternating layers of sand, silt and clay. There is a great deal of
variation in the thickness of these layers and their horizontal development. The fine silty sand deposits in this
area are loose and prone to liquefaction under earthquake shocks.