Bearing capacity and failure behaviors of floating stiffened deep cement mixing columns under axial load

Abstract

This research aims to clarify and gain an insight into the impact of the length of the stiffened core and the strength of the deep cement mixing (DCM) socket on the behaviors of floating stiffened deep cement mixing (SDCM) columns. The observed behaviors include the axial ultimate bearing capacity, settlement and failure mode. The study begins by conducting a series of physical model tests as a preliminary investigation. The results reveal that the strength of the DCM socket can be reduced to a certain value by inserting a sufficiently long reinforced core to achieve the highest possible load-carrying capacity, indicating an optimum length of the stiffened core for a specific DCM socket strength. For a parametric study on the actual scale condition, full-scale load tests on a floating DCM and an SDCM column with eucalyptus wood as a core in the thick soft clay layer area were carried out to provide a reference case. The extended numerical analysis results suggest that the modes of failure depend on the length of the stiffened core and the strength of the DCM socket. The results from the numerical parametric study were used to establish a guideline chart for suggesting the appropriate length of the core in accordance with the strength of the DCM socket of the floating SDCM columns. The field pile load test results also confirm that core materials with a lower strength and stiffness, such as eucalyptus wood, could potentially be used as a reinforced core.