f GeoConferences.ca: Ground Improvement by Stone Columns - A Case Study
EN FR
GeoConferences.ca

Ground Improvement by Stone Columns - A Case Study

Adhila Haris, Hany El Naggar

In the proceedings of: GeoVirtual 2020: 73rd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

ABSTRACT: Stone columns have been widely used as a cost-effective, fast and environmentally friendly ground improvement method. Stone columns improve the load-bearing capacity, reduce settlement and mitigate liquefaction of soft subsoil under structures like liquid storage tanks, earthen embankments, raft foundations etc. This paper first presents the basics of the stone column technique and discusses the design considerations, applications, advantages and limitations of this method. Then a case study of stone column installation under oil tank foundations and auxiliary buildings for a bunker terminal project in the Middle East is elaborately explained. Geotechnical investigation data of the project site revealed subsurface conditions comprising of very loose to loose and medium silty sand with low SPT N values for the top 13m depth in some boreholes. This necessitated ground improvement to meet the high bearing capacity requirement of 250kPa and 300kPa under marine gas oil tank, fuel oil tank and other structures and to achieve settlement criteria of a maximum uniform settlement of 50mm and 100mm during operation and hydrotest, respectively. As the soil profile varied across the tanks, stone columns of 0.9m in diameter with a grid spacing of 2-3m square and varying treatment, depths have been used. The design procedure, construction method and verification or confirmatory tests adopted for the successful delivery of the project is also covered in this study. Keywords: Ground improvement, Stone columns, bearing capacity, oil tank.


Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2020_354

Access this article:
Canadian Geotechnical Society members can access to this article, along with all other Canadian Geotechnical Conference proceedings, in the Member Area. Conference proceedings are also available in many libraries.

Cite this article:
Haris, Adhila, Naggar, Hany El (2020) Ground Improvement by Stone Columns - A Case Study in GEO2020. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{Haris_GEO2020_354, author = Adhila Haris, Hany El Naggar,
title = Ground Improvement by Stone Columns - A Case Study ,
year = 2020
}