Application of 2D PLAXIS program in analyzing consolidation behavior of soil–cement column improved soft ground under embankment load

Abstract

There have been much research on consolidation behavior of soil–cement column improved soft ground, a fairly popular soft soil improvement technique. This article investigate the consolidation behavior of the composite ground under embankment load using simulated cases with PLAXIS program. The results showed that when increasing thecross section as well as the length of the column, the settlement will decrease and the consolidation rate will speed up because of the increase in consolidation coefficient. The more the thickness of unreinforced weak soil reduces, the more the settlement falls and the consolidation rate increases. Thus, it can be concluded that the cross-section area and the length of the column are two key parameters in design of embankment on the soil–cement column improved soft ground for adjusting consolidation time as expected