Ground improvement and reinforcement in seismic zones by vibrocompaction and stone columns

Jean-Marc Debats, Claire Mollereau

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Foundations IV

ABSTRACT: Starting with examples of significant damage caused by a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand, this paper presents some case histories demonstrating how ground improvement can help mitigate the adverse consequences of earthquake tremors on the ground. The general approach to liquefaction mitigation is described along with vibro compaction and vibro stone column ground improvement techniques. The advantages of combining multiple techniques on the same site are also addressed. Some difficulties that may be encountered with each technique are described including the effect of high fines content with vibrocompaction as well as an assessment of the theoretical shear resistance that stone columns can contribute to liquefaction mitigation.

RÉSUMÉ: Partant des dommages importants causés par une série de tremblements de terre en 2010 et 2011 à Christchurch, Nouvelle-conduire à une diminution des conséquences des secousses sismiques sur le sol. et colonnes ballastées. Les avantages que peuvent présenter les combinaisons de différentes techniques sur le même chantier sont également analysés. Quelques unes des difficultés qui peuvent être rencontrées sont détaillées : problèmes avec les teneurs en fines élevées dans le vibrocompactage et estimation de la participation de la résistance au cisaillement intrinsèque des colonnes ballastées à la réduction du risque de liquéfaction.

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Cite this article:
Jean-Marc Debats; Claire Mollereau (2013) Ground improvement and reinforcement in seismic zones by vibrocompaction and stone columns in GEO2013. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GeoMon2013Paper602,author = Jean-Marc Debats; Claire Mollereau,title = Ground improvement and reinforcement in seismic zones by vibrocompaction and stone columns ,year = 2013}