Numerical Analysis of Embankment Built on Indian Marine Clay Improved with DM Column

• Published in: International journal of geosynthetics and ground engineering Vol. 7; no. 4
• Main Authors: Fulambarkar, Sujata, Bangari, Gaurav, Manna, Bappaditya, Shahu, J. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Airport construction; Airports; Building Materials; Consolidation; Developing countries; Embankments; Engineering; Environmental Science and Engineering; Foundations; Geoengineering; Geotechnical engineering; Highway construction; Hydraulics; Land use; LDCs; Modulus of elasticity; Numerical analysis; Original Paper; Parameters; Permeability; Runways; Soft clay; Soft Ground Improvement; Soil conditions; Soil permeability; Soil settlement; Soils; Deep mixed column; Settlement; Consolidation; Embankment; Indian marine clay; Pore water pressure; Soft soil
• ISSN: 2199-9260; 2199-9279
• DOI: 10.1007/s40891-021-00342-2

For a developing country like India, rapid industrialization and overpopulation have created a massive demand for land usage. Previously considered unsuitable land for construction, such as marginal land with poor soil conditions, is now being used largely to meet this demand. The construction of embankments for infrastructural development projects like highways, airport runways, berms, etc., over such weak soil is always a challenge for geotechnical engineers. The present study aims to investigate the effect of properties of Deep Mixed (DM) column and soft soil on the settlement of the embankment situated on the Indian Marine clay. A numerical modelling has been carried out for an embankment founded over soft clay improved with DM columns using PLAXIS 3D and validated against the previous studies. A parametric study has been done considering various parameters such as permeability of soft soil, area ratio, column elastic modulus, and column length. The responses of these parameters on settlement, time for consolidation for unimproved and improved ground were studied, and suitable recommendations are listed. It is found that the permeability of the soft soil has the significant influence on the time for consolidation. The optimum values for area ratio and elastic modulus of DM column were found to be 30% and 100 MPa, respectively.