Ecole Nationale d'lngnieurs de Tunis

Dpartement de gnie civil

Examination 1 : Soil improvement techniques : October 29th 2013

Mounir Bouassida

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Exercise 1. Comprehension
Table 1 presents the potential advantages (benefits) of the most used soil improvement techniques
of soft clays with respect to the behaviour of the unreinforced soil. In each box of Table 1 respond by
"Yes" or "No" and give the reason (explanation) in one sentence. For example: "No", Drainage only
occurs in the vertical direction.
Caution: Your responses to exercise 1 should be written on this sheet to be remitted filled and signed
with your copy.
Improvement
techniques

Increase in bearing
capacity (short term

Acceleration of
consolidation

Settlement reducdon

conditions)

N,,,
Preloading

znt;

,-a( co-

r'r

Preloading associated

with VD

Vacuum consolidation

Stone columns

Table 1. Comparing between soil improvement techniques

Exercise 2.

The soil profile sketched in Figure 1 shows two normally consolidated soft clay layers having different
soil parameters.

1.
2.

Which parameters illustrate the difference between the two soft clay layers?

3.

Predict the settlement of primary consolidation in Iayers (A) and (B). Why the settlement in
the stiff clay layer can be neglected?

4.

Predict the vertical degree of consolidation in each of the two layers (A) and (B) within a
period of six (6) months. Drainage is assumed to occur over the thickness of each layer.

A load surcharge q = 60 kPa is to be subjected at the surface of the soil profile shown in
figure 1 over an area with big dimensions.

Deduce the respective settlements of consolidation.

5.

The acceleration of consolidation of the layers (A) and (B) is intended by using PVDS of 9 m
length, in triangular pattern with centre to centre spacing of 1.5 m. By assuming the Mebra
drain 88 geo-drain properties (equivalent diameter of 6.7 cm), predict the horizontal degree
of consolidation within layers (A) and (B) by using the Barron's theory within six months.

6.

By adopting the Carillo's theory predict the global degree of consolidation for the

two layers

{A) and (B) in six months. Deduce the respective settlements of consolidation of layers (A)

and (B).

7.

Give your final comments about the acceleration of consolidation provided by the use
geodra ins.

of

Exercise 3. Translate in French the following section in a maximum of ten (10) sentences.

"This study presents the estimation of bearinB capacity for foundations resting on soils reinforced by
floating columns. Using the limit analysis the lower bounds of bearing capacity factor is derived for all
reinforcement schemes. The bearing capacity results are independent of distribution of the columns
and shape of the foundation.
Predicted lower bounds of bearing capacity factor (BCF) for a cohesive-frictional soil reinforced by
floating columns with cohesive-frictional material requires that the unit weight of the column
material to be greater than that of the native soil. lt was found that the lower bounds of BCF
decrease insignificantly with unit weights when ec< 1-9.5".
Regarding reinforcement by end-bearing columns, the lower bound values of bearing capacity
remain unchanged for floating columns. Nevertheless, a maxjmum length of columns is required
depending on the characteristics of the reinforced soil.

When dealing with soft soil reinforced with granular columns and soil cement columns the prediction
of the maximum length of columns is determined from the limit analysis approach and Brauns'
method, respectively.
ln this study new bounds of bearing capacity and columns length are presented for practical

purposes. Estimation of bearing capacity by the limit analysis demonstrates a more efficient
approach compared with the existing methods, as evidenced by the presented design charts.

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