A Study on Geocell Reinforced and Stone Column for Ground
Improvement Technique of Foundation Placed on Weak Soil
A Thesis
Submitted by
JAYASREE – CE20B1007
PRADEEB M – CE20B1019
for the award of the degree
B.Tech in Civil Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PUDUCHERRY
NOVEMBER 2023
Thesis Certificate
This is to undertake that the Thesis titled “A Study on Geocell Reinforced and Stone Column
for Ground Improvement Technique of Foundation Placed on Weak Soil” submitted by
us to the National Institute of Technology Puducherry, for the award of the degree of B.Tech
is a bonafide record of the research work carried out by us under the supervision of Dr.
Senthilkumar V and Dr. Ashok Kumar T. of Department of Civil Engineering. The contents
of this Thesis, in full or in parts, have not been submitted to any other Institute or University
for the award of any degree or diploma.
Place: NIT Puducherry Research Students
Date: 22/11/23
JAYASREE – CE20B1007
PRADEEB M – CE20B1019
Research Supervisors
Dr. Senthilkumar V
Dr. Ashok Kumar T.
INTRODUCTION
Natural soils, especially clay soil, usually lack the mechanical and geotechnical properties
required for construction projects and, hence, require treatment to achieve geotechnically acceptable
conditions. Clay soils present some difficulties for geotechnical and civil engineers due to their weak
strength, high sensitivity to moisture, and excessive swelling. Moreover, when clay soils are found
above the groundwater table, it becomes problematic because it swells with an increase in moisture
content and shrinks with a reduction in moisture content.
In addition, significant changes in groundwater occur when rainfall lasts for a long period.
Due to their intrinsic mineralogical behaviour, these types of soils are well-known for their volume
change behaviour in response to moisture changes. Expansion of the soil results in cracks and
structural failures, which include expansion in the pavements, fissures in the floors and walls, and
distortions in the window and door frames. Soil swelling causes cracks and construction collapse
depending on the level of swelling; these distortions might be slight, moderate, or serious.
Geocell products are three-dimensional, expandable panels made from high-density
polyethylene (HDPE), polyester or another polymer material. When expanded during installation,
the interconnected strips form the walls of a flexible, three-dimensional cellular structure into which
specified infill materials are placed and compacted. This creates a free-draining system that holds
infill materials in place and prevents mass movements by providing confinement through tensile
reinforcement. Cellular confinement systems improve the structural and functional behavior of soils
and aggregate infill materials.
The utilization of geocells, comprising materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
polyester, and other polymer substances, has raised concerns regarding their environmental impact.
However, in light of their recyclability, this research explores a sustainable approach by repurposing
these materials as reinforcements for soil. Through an extensive literature review, this study will
examine how employing geocells in soil reinforcement not only addresses environmental concerns by
repurposing these materials but also enhances the soil's bearing capacity, as evidenced in existing
research.
LITERATURE REVIEWS
1. Geocell reinforced foundation beds-past findings, present trends and future
prospects: A state-of-the-art review (31 July 2017)
-A. Hegde
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIT Patna
✓ This paper reviewed the research activities related to geocell covering the wide
spectrum of application.
✓ The main objective of this paper was to present the reader with the summary of the
past studies, current state of art and the scope of the future research directions.
✓ The paper has discussed numerous studies related to geocells such as experimental,
numerical, analytical and field performance
✓ The relative gain in load carrying capacity starts reducing beyond 0.5B and the
maximum increase of 388% was observed at a 0.5B depth of geocell layer.
2. Geocell Reinforced Foundations (October 2017)
-A.Murali Krishna, Arghadeep Biswas
IIT Tirupati
✓ The paper covers geocell-reinforced foundation systems, discussing their
performance factors and optimal values.
✓ It emphasizes understanding influencing parameters for better geocell-reinforced
soil performance and highlights the need for further exploration in designing
guidelines for these structures.
3. Effect of Stone Column Installation on Soft Clay Behaviour (May 2018)
-H. F. Shehata, Tamer Sorour (Ain Shams University), Ayman Lotfy Fayed (Ain Shams
University)
✓ Installing stone columns in soft clay positively impacts soil properties, improving
overall performance.
✓ The degree of improvement depends on machine-induced horizontal excitation and
column spacing. This enhances bearing capacity and reduces settlement in treated soft
clays.
✓ The improvement zone around the installed stone columns extends to a maximum
distance of approximately 8 times the column’s diameter (Dc)
✓ The findings of this study, considering the installation effect of the stone columns,
results in a considerable saving in the ground improvement cost.
4. Ground improvement techniques applied to very soft clays: state of knowledge and
recent advances (06 Jan 2023)
Open access article
✓ This paper has summarized recent studies related to the application of different soft
ground improvement techniques mainly in the context of Brazilian soft clays.
✓ This paper presented and discussed in sequence the different techniques for soft clay
improvement that promote the strengthening of the soil, either by means of column-like
elements (VSC, GEC, PE/DSM) or by incorporating cement (SSM) or mortar (CPR)
mixtures into the soft soil.
✓ Common to all techniques is that settlements decrease with increasing strengthening of
the soft soil. The settlement improvement factor β, that relates the settlements with and
without treatment of the soft soil, is a good way to rank the various improvement
techniques discussed in this article.
5. Laboratory Testing of Geogrids and Geocells Used for The Function
Stabilisation (May 2019)
-Helmut Zanzinger
✓ This research delves into the critical examination of stress-induced behaviors in geocells and
geogrids when employed as foundation reinforcements.
✓ By scrutinizing the distinct types of stress experienced by these materials, the study sheds
light on their structural performance under varying conditions. Additionally, it outlines a
comprehensive range of mechanical tests essential for accurately evaluating the effectiveness
and durability of both geocells and geogrids.
✓ This investigation underscores the significance of employing appropriate testing
methodologies to assess the behavior and suitability of these reinforcement materials in
foundation applications.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this research is to comprehensively analyze the behavior of geocell-reinforced and
stone columns in shallow foundations on weak soil when subjected to static loading on strip and
spread footings. This will be achieved through a combination of analytical and numerical modeling
techniques.
NEED AND SCOPE OF THE WORK
This research seeks to thoroughly investigate the performance of geocell-reinforced and stone columns
within shallow foundations on weak soil when exposed to static loading on both strip and spread
footings. Presently, there exists a gap in research regarding the combined utilization of geocell and stone
column techniques. Our study aims to fill this gap by employing a blend of analytical and numerical
modeling approaches.
METHODOLOGY
1. Soil Analysis and Property Determination
➢ Conduct soil testing to ascertain soil indices and engineering properties
2. Selection of Ground Improvement Technique as per IS 13094: 2021
➢ Evaluate various ground improvement methods suitable for the identified soil conditions
based on the soil properties obtained.
➢ Choose the most appropriate technique considering factors like cost-effectiveness, feasibility,
and efficacy.
3. Model Development using Finite Element Method
➢ Utilize Finite Element Method (FEM) software such as Midas GTX NX to create a detailed
model that replicates site conditions accurately.
➢ Incorporate the geocell-reinforced foundation system into the model based on the chosen
ground improvement method.
4. Model Analysis
➢ Analyze the FEM model under static loading conditions both with and without ground
improvement.
➢ Assess and compare the performance and behavior of the foundation with and without the
reinforcement.
5. Parametric Study
➢ Vary the dimensions and depth of the reinforcement within the model to understand their
impact on performance.
➢ Identify and determine the optimal configurations for implementation, considering stability,
load-bearing capacity, and efficiency.
6. Results Analysis
➢ Analyze and interpret the results obtained from the FEM simulations for different soil types
and varying reinforcement parameters.
➢ Draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the ground improvement technique and the
influence of various parameters on the reinforced foundation's behavior.
7. Documentation and Reporting
➢ Summarize findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on the analyses conducted.
➢ Document the methodology, results, and implications for future research or practical
applications.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Water content
2. Liquid limit WL and Plastic limit WP
Liquid limit WL = 43.23%
Plastic limit WP = 21.45%
3. PLASTICITY INDEX
PI = Liquid limit (WL) - Plastic limit (WP)
43.23-21.45 = 21.78%
As per IS 1498 (1970) Plasticity chart, Soil is CI (Intermediate compressible
clay)
4. FREE SWELL INDEX
As per the given referrence below from Rao, Sudhakar. (2021). Identification of expansive soils.
We can conclude that our soil is belongs to Low Expansive soil
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Based on the soil tests conducted, the most suitable ground improvement method recommended aligns
with the guidelines outlined in IS 13094: 2021 (Selection of ground improvement techniques for
foundation in weak soils - guidelines)
REFERENCES
1. Code Reference:
1) IS 2720-1 METHOD OF TEST FOR SOIL PART-1 PREPARATION OF DRY
SOIL SAMPLE
2) IS 2720-2 METHOD OF TEST FOR SOIL PART-2 DETERMINATION OF
WATER CONTENT
3) IS 2720-4 METHOD OF TEST FOR SOIL PART-4 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
4) IS 2720-5 METHOD OF TEST FOR SOIL PART-5 DETERMINATION OF
LIQUID AND PLASTIC LIMIT
5) IS 2720-40 METHOD OF TEST FOR SOIL PART-40 DETERMINATION OF
FREE SWELL INDEX OF SOIL
6) IS 13094 (1992) SELECTION OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES
FOR FOUNDATION IN WEAK SOILS -GUIDELINES
2. Geocell reinforced foundation beds-past findings, present trends and future prospects: A
state-of-the-art review (31 July 2017) A. Hegde Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, IIT Patna
3. Geocell Reinforced Foundations (October 2017) A.Murali Krishna, Arghadeep Biswas IIT
Tirupati
4. M. Gäb, H. F. Schweiger, D. Kamrat-Pietraszewska, and M. Karstunen. 2008. Numerical
Analysis of a Floating Stone Column Foundation Using Different Constitutive Models. In
Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Geotechnics of Soft Soils, 137–142.
Glasgow.
5. Guetif, Z., M. Bouassida, and J. M. Debats. 2007. “Improved Soft Clay Characteristics due to
Stone Column Installation.” Computers and Geotechnics 34: 104–111
6. Shear Strength Improvement of Clay Soil Stabilized by Coffee Husk Ash. Reza Pahlevi
Munirwan Mohd Raihan Taha, Aizat Mohd Taib and Munirwansyah Munirwansyah
7. Ground Improvement for Khulna Soft Clay Soil Final Report Mott MacDonald AsCAP
Project Reference Number. BAN2083A (October 2017)
