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Strength Behaviour of Granular Column-Reinforced Soft Soil Subjected to Lateral Shear Loading

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Abstract

The behaviour of granular columns as soil reinforcement under compressive axial loading is well documented. However, the different forms of lateral soil movements occurring in soft soil cause lateral force on granular columns, resulting in shear deformations. Minimal comprehensive direct laboratory research in this area forms the motivation behind this work. This experimental study is focused on the contribution of granular column reinforcement to the shear strength of the soft ground. For this purpose, a series of large-scale direct shear tests with 300 × 300 mm sample dimensions were performed in the laboratory. Effect of variables like normal stress, characteristics of granular column infill material, and column configurations (single, triangular, and square) was studied. Test results obtained from this experimental study are presented in terms of the increase in the overall shear resistance of the soil-column matrix and increase in the shear strength parameters. The experimental test results showed higher values than the values predicted from analytical equations.

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Availability of Data and Materials

All the data was generated by experimental tests performed in the Geotechnical laboratory of NIT Srinagar by the first author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express the heartfelt gratitude towards the authorities of NIT Srinagar, notably the Department of Civil Engineering, for helping us in the execution of this work at the institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, 190006, India

    Sabreena Mohammad & Bashir Ahmed Mir

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  1. Sabreena Mohammad
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  2. Bashir Ahmed Mir
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First author: Testing, data analysis, and drafting of paper. Second author: Supervising, reviewing and editing.

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Correspondence to Sabreena Mohammad.

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Mohammad, S., Mir, B.A. Strength Behaviour of Granular Column-Reinforced Soft Soil Subjected to Lateral Shear Loading. Indian Geotech J 52, 1450–1463 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-022-00652-w

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