Applicability, Quality Control and Quality

Assurance in Ground Improvement

Presented by
Kulbir Singh Gill,
Associate Prof. GNDEC,
Ludhiana

INTRODUCTION
Unfortunately, soils are made by nature and not

by man, and the products of nature are always

complex(Karl Terzaghi 1936).
The advancement in geotechnical engineering
has provided many alternatives to deal with the
problems encountered during soil investigation
for the site selection of a particular project.
Since the safety of lives and property are at
stake, it is important to consider the geotechnical
merits or demerits of various sites before the
final decision is taken for that project.
Moreover risks and costs needs to be evaluated.

Contd.
Due to the lower value of land to

population ratio in India, it is utmost

important to utilize any type of land
available for construction.
So keeping in view the above stated
problem , different types of ground
improvement techniques are adopted to
make the weak soils suitable to meet the
minimum requirement for any particular
project.
The various types of ground improvement
techniques which are commonly used are:

Contd.
Improvement by vibro compaction
Ground improvement using vibro replacement
Ground improvement using deep soil mixing
Ground improvement using permeation grouting.
Improvement by increasing effective stresses.
Improvement by admixtures.
Geotechnical reuse of waste materials.
Weight reduction.
In this presentation only the applicability, quality

control and quality assurance are covered.

Applicability of the Vibro

Compaction
This technique is used to increase the bearing

capacity of foundations and to reduce their

settlements.
Another important application is to mitigate the
liquefaction potential in earth prone areas by
densification of sand.
Vibro compaction can be used to support any type
of projects from embankment to chemical plants.
Mainly this technique depends on the granular
soil to be compacted.
So far the deposits down to 65m have been
improved by vibro compaction.

Quality Control and Quality

Assurance
In general quality control programme is divided into

categories, namely monitoring of compaction parameters

and post compaction testing.
The compaction parameters(depth and power
consumption) are monitored using computerized
systems.
Post-compaction testing is performed to ensure that the
specifications are met.
Dynamic penetrometer tests(DPT),standard penetration
tests(SPT) and cone penetration tests(CPT) is most
popular post compaction test.
At least one week cooling period must be given after the
compaction in order to dissipate the excess pore water
pressure to initial level before compaction.

Limitations
Vibro compaction technique is most

effective for sands and gravels with fines

less than 15 to 20% as shown in Figure

Applicability of Ground Improvement

using Vibro Replacement
: The unique characteristic of the vibro replacement

technique is that it is able to treat a vide range of weak soils

from loose silty sands, soft marine clays, ultra soft silts and
clay from mine tailings, garbage fill to peaty clays.
The various types of structures which can be supported soil
improved by vibro replacement are simple earth
embankments, modern expressway embankments, bridge
approaches, high speed railway embankments, marine and
offshore structures, seaport/airport facilities, power plant
structures, chemical plants, sewerage treatment plants and
large storage tanks.
The basic aim of vibro replacement is to increase the
stability and bearing capacity of weak soil as well as to
restrict the settlement. In earthquake prone areas it has also
been used to mitigate liquefaction potential.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance in

Vibro Replacement
In vibro replacement method, quality control

monitoring consists of monitoring of column

construction parameters and post construction
testing.
During construction, the main parameters of
the construction process(depth, vibration
energy during penetration and compaction
processes and stone consumption) are
recorded continuously as a function of time,
thus ensuring the production of a continuous
well compacted column.
The performance of vibro stone columns is
assessed using plate load tests which should
be carried out by loading a rigid steel plate or

Contd.
. In contrast to the more familiar load tests in piles, both

the column and the tributary area of soil around the

column are loaded.
In addition, the performance of the treated soil to support
the intended structure is evaluated based on the results of
instrumentation such as rod settlement gauges,
inclinometers, etc.
Limitations:
Vibro stone columns are not suitable in liquid soils with

very low undrained shear strength, because the lateral

support may be too small.
In general, the technique is applied to structures with high
order of settlement tolerance.

Applicability of Deep Soil

Mixing
The technology of deep soil mixing can be

implemented on wide range of weak and

problematic soil types such as loose sands, soft
marine clays, ultra soft slimes, weak silty clays and
sandy silts.
Typical applications include foundation s of
embankment fill for roads, highways ,railways and
runways; slope stabilization, stabilization of cuts
and excavations(Topolinicki,2004 and Raju et.al.,
2005).
The DSM technology can also be used for vibration
reduction applications and to partially reduce water
paths for water tight applications.

Quality Control and Quality

Assurance
of Deep Mixing
Soils.
For both wet and dry deep soil mixing ,quality control

during execution is important to ensure uniform

improvement of soil and to ascertain that the required
amount of binder has been mixed uniformly over the
entire depth of treatment .
For this purpose, the mixing units are equipped with
automated computerized recording devices to measure
the real-time operating parameters such as depth of
mixing tools, volume or weight of binder used etc.
After allowing for sufficient curing period(typically,3 to 4
weeks), the mixed columns can also be tested using
single/group column plate load tests, unconfined
compressive strength tests on cored/backflow samples,
visual examination of exposed columns, etc.

Applicability of Ground Improvement

using Permeation Grouting
This type of grouting is very effective in

sands gravels, coarser size materials(e.g

.boulders and cobbles) and fissured, jointed
and fractured rock formations.
The technique is well suited for a wide
variety of applications, such as foundation
retrofitting, dam rehabilitation, subsidence
and liquefaction mitigation etc.
Applications can be categorized into the
following general areas, site improvement,
foundation rehabilitation, excavation
support, ground water control.(Karol, 1990).

Applicable soil types for Permeation

Grouting

Limitations
Permeation grouting is not suitable in

cohesive soils such as silts and clays.

The other types of grouting techniques

such as fracturing grouting and jet grouting

can be considered to improve such soils.

Applicability of Ground Improvement

using Weight Reduction
This technique involves reduction of weight

applied to a soft compressible soil by the

use of light weight fill material.
The over all benefits gained from the light
fill materials include reduced settlement,
increase in slope stability and reduced
lateral earth pressure on retaining
structures.
A key benefit is materials high resistant to
earthquake effects (the low unit weight
results in lower seismic inertial forces).

Light Weight Materials used for

Ground Improvement
Fill Material

Source/Process

Dry Unit Weight (Kg/m3)

Wood fibres

Sawed lumber waste

550-960

Shredded tyre

Mechanical cut tyre chips

600-900

Calm shells

Dredged under water deposits

1100-1200

Expanded shale

Vitrified shale or clay

600-1040

Fly ash

Residue of burned coal

1120-1400

Air-cooled slag

Blast furnace material

1100-1500

Flowable fill

Foaming agent in a concrete matrix

335-770

Geofoam

Block moulded expanded polystyrene

12-32

Quality Control and Quality Assurance in

Ground Improvement using Weight Reduction:

The key issues with the weight reduction

method of ground improvement are to

placement of the light weight material and
its durability and long-term performance.
Well planned laboratory experimentation is
needed to optimize the use and
performance of light weight materials .
Durability can be checked in the laboratory.

Limitations
Some of the material are susceptible to

various types of problems after their

placement in the field, e.g. geofoam can
easily catch fire also deterioration can
occur gasoline spills or insect borrowing.
Continued crushing and knitting of the
shells during compaction of the shells
under the influence of vehicular traffic may
reduce the drainage potential of
embankment.
Thus resulting in ponding of water at the
surface and also it may reduce the
frictional angle of the material, thus

Applicability of Ground
Improvement using Admixtures.
Use of various admixture such as lime, cement, fly ash and

furnace slag are well understood to the geotechnical

engineers.
But recently several environmental friendly enzymes have

come into the market such as Fujibeton, Terrazyme and

Renolith etc. These materials are yet to gain popularity in the
field of ground improvement.
The fujibeton material, developed in Japan, is climatically

stable material and suitable for stabilization of all types of

soils. Basically, the product is an inorganic polymer that
chemically binds with all compounds when blended with OPC in
1 to 3% by weight. The blended mix is called fujibeton mix.
The technology can be advantageously used in the

construction of low volume roads where aggregates are not

available at economical rates but also for all type of soil
conditions
. Fujibeton improves CBR of the subgade and does not create

shrinkage cracks and is there for highly effective for clayey

Terrazyme
Terrazyme is a natural, non-toxic, environmentally safe, bio-

enzyme product that improves engineering properties of soil.

The function of terrazyme is to minimize absorbed water in
the soil for maximum compaction, which decreases the
swelling capacity of soil particles and reduces permeability.
The application of terrazyme enhances weather resistance
and increases load bearing capacity of soils especially in
clayey soils.
This will provide cost effective both in the initial
construction cost and maintenance cost of roads.
Terrazyme technology is also advantageous in:considerable
improvement in the soil CBR.Minimum loss of gravel due to
erosion or abrasion by the traffic preserving original
transverse section.

Renolith
Renolith is a polymer based chemical,

which is environmentally friendly and

facilitates the bonding of soil mass.
The soil-cement with renolith has a high
modulus of elasticity and can disperse the
wheel loads very effectively.
It is a semi rigid material.
This type of construction does not require
surfacing for low volume roads, since the
base course is stabilized.
It is expected to give good performance
with longevity and reduces maintenance

Quality Control and Quality Assurance in

Ground Improvement using Admixtures
The design concept is based on the

optimization of admixture quantity for

stabilization based on unconfined
compressive strength or CBR test results
determined on the given soil for different
proportions of soil and admixtures.
After the construction ,core can be taken
and tested for unconfined compressive
strength in the laboratory.
Limitations: Limited research is available
with soil cement and these admixtures in
abroad but similar studies are yet to be
carried out in India

Thanks