Performance enhancement of encased stone column with conductive natural geotextile under k0 stress condition

Abstract

In this study, the performance of the stone column encased with conductive jute geotextile in improving the characteristics of soft clay under k0 stress condition was evaluated using a custom-designed large-scale consolidation test setup. The electrokinetic-encased stone column (e-ESC) was designed as a cathode, while mild steel rods were chosen as anodes, and by applying a voltage gradient of 0.1 V/mm between the electrodes, electrokinetic processes were initiated. The efficacy of using the e-ESC in improving the performance of soft clay was assessed by comparing the results with an ordinary stone column (OSC) and encased stone column (ESC) reinforced soft clay. The results from the study reveal that the inclusion of stiffer material like OSC and ESC in soft clay has significantly increased undrained shear strength and modulus of subgrade reaction of the composite ground with a reduction in settlement and compression index. Due to the application of the voltage gradient between the electrodes, the rate of consolidation settlement of composite ground has significantly increased when compared to the OSC/ESC case. Further, it was confirmed from the chemical and mineralogical analysis that the pH, chemical composition, mineral phases, and microfabric of soft clay were altered with the voltage gradient.