GROUND IMPROVEMENT

TECHNIQUES
BY
K.RAGHU(16030-C-225)
M.OME SAI HANUMA(16030-C-235)

A.A.N.M&V.V.R.S.R POLYTECHNIC,
GUDLAVALLERU.
SOIL SURVEY:
To make a soil survey, soil scientists walk across the
land making field observations. They observe slopes,
vegetation, and every feature they believe might affect
use of the soil. They dig many holes to expose soil
profiles, and they record information about the
characteristics of the profiles they study to classify and
name the soils. Boundaries of the individual soil areas
are plotted on aerial photographs. A soil survey is a
fundamental tool to sound soil and water management,
crop production, and land use. Type of soil depends
upon also on texture of soil.
Texture of soil is reflected by the particle size, shape
and gradation
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TESTS ON SOIL FOR
ROADS:
1. Moisture condition test
2. Plastic limit
3. Liquid limit
4. Water content
5. Specific gravity of soil
6. Sand replacement method
7. Dynamic cone penetrometer
SELECTION OF TECHNIQUES DEPENDS UPON:

1. Soil type i.e; clay, sand organic etc.

2.Area and depth of treatment required depends of geometric

characteristics of soil deposit any load distribution .

3.Type of structure.

4. Soil properties strength, compressibility, stiffness and

permeability etc.
ADVANTAGES FOR IMPROVING SOIL:
1.Reduce the settlement of structures
2.Improve the shear strength of soil
and the increase the bearing capacity of
shallow foundations
3.Reduce shrinkage and swelling of soils
4.Increase factor of safety against possible
slope failure of embankments
5.Treat the soil in place to improve its
properties
METHODS FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT:

1. Soil stabilization.
2. Vertical drains.
3. Stone columns.
4. Vibrio compaction.
5. Dynamic compaction.
6. Vibrio piers.
7. Soil nailing.
SOIL STABILIZATION:

Improvement of stability or bearing capacity of soil by use of controlled compaction or by the

addition of suitable admixtures or stabilizers.

The methods of soil stabilization are:

1.Mechanical Stabilization : Process of improving the properties of soil by changing its

gradation.
2. Soil-cement Stabilization: Done by mixing soil and cement with water and compacting
the mix to attain a strong material.
3. Soil-lime Stabilization : Lime stabilization is done by adding lime (2%-10%) to soil.

4. Chemical Stabilization : Increase the effectiveness of cement.(lime &salt)

5. Stabilization by grouting: To improve strength properties (or) to reduce permeability.

 
 
VERTICAL DRAINS:
1These consist of a column of pervious material placed in
cylindrical vertical holes at sufficiently close spaces.
2.All drains should be connected at the ground surface to a
drainage blanket.
3.Vertical drains accelerate consolidation by facilitating drainage
of pore water.
4. Vertical drains are laid out in rows, staggered, or aligned to
form patterns of equilateral triangles or squares.
5.Two types of drains are discussed below
SAND DRAINS:
*A sand drain is a simple process, employing a column
of at least 10 inches in width augered into ground to be
surcharged and consolidated.
* The column is then filled with sand and connected to
a free-draining blanket of granular soil.
 .

WICK DRAINS :
A wick drain is usually about, 4 inches wide, 1/8-inch thick
which acts as a high-permeability conduit for water to flow
out of the soil and to the surface. M ost common application
of wick drains is for accelerating the settlement rate of
compressible soils.wick drains are also called as vertical
drains.
STONE COLUMN:
Also known as vibro -replacement or vibro -displacement, is a ground
improvement process where vertical columns of compacted aggregate
are formed through the soils to be improved.
The vibrator first penetrates to the required depth by vibration and air
or water jetting or by vibration alone. Gravel is then added at the tip of
.
the vibrator and progressive raising and regeneration of the vibrator
results in the gravel being pushed into the surrounding soil.
The soil-column matrix results in an overall mass having a high shear
strength and a low compressibility.
VIBRO COMPACTION:
It is a ground improvement process for densifying loose sands
to create stable foundation soils. The action of the vibrator,
usually accompanied by water jetting, reduces the inter-
granular forces between the soil particles, allowing them to
move into a denser configuration, typically
achieving a relative density of 70 to 85 percent Compaction is
achieved above and below the water table.
DYNAMIC COMPACTION:

Dynamic Compaction is the dropping of heavy weights on the

ground surface to densify soils at depth.
Involves the repeated dropping of large steel tampers by
means of crawler cranes.
Tampers typically range from 6 to 20 tons and are dropped
from heights of about 40 to 80 feet.
VIBRO PIERS:
Vibro Piers, also known as aggregate piers, are typically installed to
intermediate depths of 5 to 20 feet for the support of new loads.
Vibro Piers are quick to install and very effective at reinforcing the
surrounding soil.
Typical Vibro Pier construction begins with pre-drilling a full-depth hole
with a diameter that is equal to the final pier design diameter.
For soils in which the pre-drilled hole will not stay open, the bottom feed
process can be used to avoid the need for casing.
 CONCLUSION:
Ground stability is a most part of any construction
project. Method adopted to be applied on the field
should be according to site condition and economical.
Application of Ground Improvement Techniques is not
only cheaper but also reduce the construction time
significantly.