Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Deep-Seated Slope Stability Analysis and Development of Simplistic FOS Evaluation Models for Stone Column-Supported Embankments

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inclusion of stone columns in the underlain soft soil is one of the most prominent methods for improving the stability of embankments. The stone columns are encased with a geosynthetic material to further enhance the stability. The influence of this partial replacement of weak foundation soil with stone columns on the performance of embankments needs to be quantified. In this study, performance of ordinary stone column (OSC) and geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC)–supported embankments is carried out using a three-dimensional finite element programme (PLAXIS3D). A parametric study was conducted to quantify the influence of various factors viz. spacing to diameter ratio (S/D), stiffness of encasement, cohesion of soil, friction angle of stone column and friction angle of embankment on the factor of safety against deep-seated failure. The results show that encasing the stone columns enhances the stability of embankments. Decreasing the column spacing (S/D) enhances the stability, reduces the excess pore pressure development and average settlement. Increase in geotextile encasement stiffness, cohesion of underlain soft soil, friction angle of stone column and friction angle of embankment improves the performance of embankments and also reduces the average settlement of the ground under embankment. Results of the parametric study were used to develop two types of data-driven models viz. multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) to simplify the evaluation of the factor of safety (FOS) of embankments. Among the two approaches, ANNs were able to predict the factor of safety values more accurately.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aboshi, H., Ichimoto, E., Enoki, M., Harada, K.: The composer—a method to improve characteristics of soft clay by inclusion of large diameter sand columns. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Soil Reinforcement: Reinforced Earth and Other Techniques, Paris, vol. 1, pp. 211–216 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Abusharar, S.W., Han, J.: Two-dimensional deep-seated slope stability analysis of embankments over stone column-improved soft clay. Eng. Geol. 120(1), 103–110 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adalier, K., Elgamal, A.: Mitigation of liquefaction and associated ground deformations by stone columns. Eng. Geol. 72(2004), 275–291 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, K., Shahu, J.T., Sharma, K.G.: Model tests on geosynthetic-reinforced stone columns: a comparative study. Geosynth. Int. 19(4), 292–305 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayadat, T., Hanna, A.M.: Encapsulated stone columns as a soil improvement technique for collapsible soil. Ground Improv. 9(4), 137–147 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergado, D.T., Singh, N., Sim, S.H., Panichayatum, B., Sampaco, C.L., Balasubramaniam, A.S.: Improvement of soft Bangkok clay using vertical geotextile band drains compared with granular piles. Geotext. Geomembr. 9(3), 203–231 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, K.M., Loveridge, F.A., Glendinning, S.: Failures in transport infrastructure embankments. Eng. Geol. 219(2017), 107–117 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brokemper, D., Sobolewski, J., Alexiew, D., and Brok, C.: Design and construction of geotextile encased columns supporting geogrid reinforced landscape embankments: Bastions Vijfwal Houten in the Netherlands. Proc., 8th Int. Conf. on Geosynthetics, Millpress, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1681–1684 (2006).

  • Castro, J., Cimentada, A., Costa, A., Canizal, J., Sagaseta, C.: Consolidation and deformation around stone columns: comparison of theoretical and laboratory results. Comput. Geotech. 49, 326–337 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, A., Goswami, D.: Prediction of slope stability using multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN). Arab. J. Geosci. 10, 385 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, M.R., Rose, A.N.: Stone column support for an embankment on deep alluvial soils. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Geotechnical Engineering. 37(1), 15–25 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das, M., Dey, A.K.: Prediction of bearing capacity of stone columns placed in soft clay using ANN model. Geotech. Geol. Eng. (2017)

  • Demuth, H., Beale, M.: Neural network toolbox for use with MATLAB. The Math works Inc., Natick (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghazavi, M., Afshar, J.N.: Bearing capacity of geosynthetic encased stone columns. Geotext. Geomembr. 38, 26–36 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gniel. J., and Bouazza, A., 2009. “Improvement of soft soils using geogrid encased stone columns,” Geotext. Geomembr., vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 167–175

  • Greenwood, D.A.: Mechanical Improvement of Soils below Ground Surfaces. In: Proceedings, ground engineering conference, institution of civil engineers, London, pp. 11–22 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J.: Recent advances in column technologies to improve soft soils. In: Indraratna, B., Rujikiatkamjorn, C., Vinod, J. (eds.) Invited keynote lecture, Proceedings of International Conference on Ground Improvement and Ground Control, Wollongong, Australia, 30 October to 2 November, vol. 1, pp. 99–113. Research Publishing (2012)

  • Han, J., Ye, S.L.: Simplified method for consolidation rate of stone column reinforced foundation. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. ASCE. 127(7), 597–603 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, J., Sheth, A.R., Porbaha, A., Shen, S.L.: Numerical analysis of embankment stability over deep mixed foundations. In: Geotechnical Engineering for Transportation Projects. Proceedings of Geo-Trans 2004, 126 II, pp. 1385–1394. Geotechnical Special Publication, Los Angeles (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J., Parsons, R.J., Sheth, A.R., Huang, J.: Factors of safety against deep-seated failure of embankments over deep mixed columns. Proceedings of Deep Mixing 2005 Conference, Sweden, vol. 1.2, pp. 231–236 (May 23–25) (2005)

  • Han, J., Oztoprak, S., Parsons, R.L., Huang, J.: Numerical analysis of foundation columns to support widening of embankments. Comput. Geotech. 34, 435–448 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J.M.O., Withers, N.J., Greenwood, D.A.: A field trial of the reinforcing effect of a stone column in soil. Geotechnique. 25(1), 31–44 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khabbazian, M., Meehan, C.L., Kaliakin V.N.: Column supported embankments with geosynthetic encased columns: parametric study (2014)

  • Khadim, S.T., Fouad, Z.B.: Stability analysis of roadway embankments supported by stone columns with the presence of eater table under short term and long term conditions. MATECH web of conferences. 162, 01013 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitazume, M., Maruyama, K.: External stability of group column type deep mixing improved ground under embankment loading. Soils Found. 46(3), 323–340 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kivelo, M., Broms, B.B., 1999. Mechanical behaviour and shear resistance of lime/cement columns. International conference on dry mix methods: dry mix methods for deep soil stabilization, pp. 193–200

  • Lo, S.R., Zhang, R., Mak, J.: Geosynthetic-encased stone columns in soft clay: a numerical study. Geotext. Geomembr. 28(3), 292–302 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malarvizhi, S.N., Ilamparuthi, K., 2007. Performance of stone column encased with geogrids. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Soft Soil Engineering, pp. 309–314

  • MATLAB (R2018a). Neural Network Toolbox- User's Guide. https://in.mathworks.com/help/deeplearning/ref/nnstart.html

  • McKenna, J.M., Eyre, W.A., Wolstenholme, D.R.: Performance of an embankment supported by stone columns in soft ground. Geotechnique. 25(1), 51–59 (1975)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murtaza, H.N., Samadhiya, N.K.: Experimetal and numerical analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced floating granular pies in soft clays. Int. J. of Geosynth. And Ground Eng. 2, 22 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murugesan, S., Rajagopal, K.: Geosynthetic-encased stone columns: numerical evaluation. Geotext. Geomembr. 24(6), 349–358 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murugesan, S., Rajagopal, K.: Model tests on geosynthtic encased stone columns. Geosynth Int J. 24(6), 346–354 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priebe, H.J.: The design of vibro replacement. Ground Eng. 28(10), 31–37 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Raithel, M., Kempfert, H.G.: Calculation models for dam foundations with geotextile-coated sand columns. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical and Geological Engineering (GeoEngg ‘00), p. 347. Australia, Melbourne (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, S.R., Phanikumar, B.R., Nagendra, G.: Compressive load response of granular piles reinforced with geogrids. Can. Geotech. J. 41(1), 187–192 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tandel, Y.K., Solanki, C.H., Desai, A.K.: 3D FE analysis of an embankment construction on grsc and proposal of design method (2013)

  • Van, I.W., Silence, P.: Improving of the bearing capacity of weak hydraulic fills by means of geotextiles. In: Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on geotextiles, Vienna, pp. 1411–1416 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C.S., Hong, Y.S.: Laboratory tests on geosynthetic encapsulated sand columns. Geotext. Geomembr. 27(2), 107–120 (2009)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, C.: Performance of geosynthetic-encased stone columns in embankment construction: numerical investigation. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. 136(8), 1148–1160 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, C., Kim, S.B.: Numerical modeling of geosynthetic encased stone column-reinforced ground. Geosynth. Int. 16(3), 116–126 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, C., Lee, D.: Performance of geogrid-encased stone columns in soft ground: full-scale load tests. Geosynth. Int. 19(6), 480–490 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, C., Song, A., Kim, S., Lee, D.: Finite element modeling of geogrid-encased stone column in soft ground. J. Kor. Geotech. Soc. 23(10), 133–150 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z., Han, J., Ye, G.: Numerical investigation on factors for deepseated slope stability of stone column-supported embankments over soft clay. Eng. Geol. 168, 104–113 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India

    Lateef Ahmad Dar & Mohammad Yousuf Shah

Authors
  1. Lateef Ahmad Dar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Yousuf Shah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

L.A. Dar conceived this research idea, carried out the FEM, MLR and ANN analysis for embankment stability and contributed in writing the manuscript and its revision. M. Y. Shah provided guidance and participated in carrying out the FEM analysis and formulation of manuscript and its revision. Both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lateef Ahmad Dar.

Ethics declarations

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dar, L.A., Shah, M.Y. Deep-Seated Slope Stability Analysis and Development of Simplistic FOS Evaluation Models for Stone Column-Supported Embankments. Transp. Infrastruct. Geotech. 8, 203–227 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-020-00134-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-020-00134-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation