Road Engineering Field Tests on an Artificial Crust Layer Combined with Pre-Stressed Pipe Piles over Soft Ground

Abstract

An artificial crust layer formed by in-situ stabilization combined with pre-stressed pipe piles over soft ground has been proposed to reduce foundation settlement in road construction. To analyze the effects of the artificial crust layer, the field measurements from a road project, including the strength of field stabilized soil, settlement and the load distribution between soils and piles were investigated. The results showed that the ratio of 28-day field unconfined compressive strength to laboratory strength ranged from 0.28 to 0.45 at the same stabilized agent. Additionally, the artificial crust layer had a greater compression modulus and strength compared with soft clay, so that the deformation of stabilized soil only accounted for about 5% of the total settlement. The foundation consolidation speed was slower because of the impervious properties of the artificial crust layer.