Effect of elastoplastic stone columns on consolidation rate of soft soil

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to present the basics and to demonstrate the ability of the recently developed method for the evaluation of the effect of elastoplastic stone columns on the consolidation process of soft soil deposits. The method is based on the unit cell concept, takes into account thick‐walled poroelastic cylinder of soil and elastoplastic stone column and provides coupled solution of equilibrium and diffusion equations. The calculation of settlements, excess pore pressure and stresses in the time domain is based on the numerical inverse of analytical expressions obtained in the Laplace domain. The advantage of the proposed method, as compared to other analytical solutions, is that it enables consideration of time dependent loading, takes into account subsequent transfer of stresses from the soil to the column and provides settlement rate prediction. Finally, some examples and comparisons are presented in order to demonstrate the ability of the method to yield reliable predictions of settlements and consolidation rate of the stone column improved ground.