Observed installation effects of vibro-replacement stone columns in soft clay

Abstract

The installation of vibro replacement stone columns in any soil causes significant changes to the stress regime around each probe location. In soft clays, the principal effects are caused by a cavity expansion mechanism as the probe is introduced into the soil and the stone column constructed. This paper presents observations of changes in soil volume and pore water pressure during stone column installation. The implications for the most suitable column construction techniques and the soil strength limiting column construction arising from the observations are discussed. The data presented are also of interest to those validating numerical models of stone column installation, and issues relevant to the practical application of numerical modeling are considered.