Soil improvement technique

Prabesh Kaji Katuwal
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 What is Soil Improvement ?

Soil improvement in its broadest sense is alteration of any property of soil to improve its engineering performance. It usually consists of increasing, the shear strength and decreasing the compressibility of the soil so that the bearing capacity of the soil is increased and the settlements of the structures built on it are reduced. Sometimes, the aim is to decrease the permeability of soil. General practice is to use shallow foundation as far as possible. But if the top soil is either loose or soft, the load from superstructure is to be transferred to deeper firm strata. In such case deep foundation such as pile or pier is obvious choice. But another method at such a site condition may prove more economical which is foundation soil improvement. These are the methods which are implemented to improve the characteristics of soil at site. Soil improvement basically consists of:

  • 1.       Increasing the shear strength
  • 2.       Reducing permeability and
  • 3.       Reducing compressibility...

What is method of soil improvement?

  • 1.       Mechanical compaction
  • 2.       Dynamic compaction
  • 3.       Preloadig
  • 4.       Sand and stone columns
  • 5.       Use of admixtures
  • 6.       Injection of suitable grouts.