Influence of Binding and Confinement on the Behaviour of Granular Piles

Abstract

Due to the rapid growth of infrastructural facilities, there is a need to expand the construction activities also in areas with poor sub-soil conditions, wherein the geotechnical engineers are challenged by the presence of various problematic soils with different engineering characteristics. Among the different methods for improving in-situ ground conditions, fortifying the ground with granular heaps is one of the most adaptable and financially savvy procedure. Granular heaps give the essential capacity of fortifying and seepage by improving the quality and distortion properties of delicate soil. The granular heaps are progressively being utilized as ground support components for wide assortment of structures and including structures and adaptable structures. The increased load bearing capacity is due to the friction offered by the encompassing soil. In very soft soils this lateral confinement may not be adequate and the load carrying capacity of granular pile will be very less. Some of the promising methods of improving load carrying capacity are providing geosynthetic encasement to stone column, providing a suitable binder etc. This present study aims to investigate the qualitative and quantitative improvement of individual load carrying capacity of granular pile through laboratory model tests conducted on granular piles installed in clay bed under stress controlled condition.