Stone Columns and Reinforced Stone Columns as Soil Improvement Techniques

Stone columns have been used since the 1950's as a technique for soil improvement such as cohesive soils and silty cohesion less soils. Stone column’s applications includes (1) stabilizing the foundation soils to support embankments, approach fills and reconstruction work on weak cohesive soils, (2) supporting retaining structures (including Reinforced Earth), bridge bent and abutment structures on slightly marginal soft to stiff clays and loose silty sands, (3) landslide stabilization and (4) reducing liquefaction potential of clean sands. Also, stone columns under proper conditions may be greatly decrease the time required for primary consolidation. The stone column technique of ground behavior has proven successful in (1) improving slope stability of both embankments and natural slopes, (2) increasing bearing capacity, (3) reducing total and differential settlements, (4) reducing the liquefaction potential of sands and (5) increasing the time rate of settlement. Stone column construction involves the partial replacement of unsuitable subsurface soils with a compacted vertical column of stone that usually completely penetrates the weak strata.