The proposed expansion of ramps connecting Interstate Route 664 with Interstate Route 64 at Hampton, Virginia involved numerous high embankments and bridge structures over marshlands. Potential problems of embankment stability and excessive long term, post construction settlements were further complicated by very strict environmental constraints on acceptable construction methods. The solution chosen was stabilization of the in situ soils by the installation of stone columns. A description is given of stone column design, construction, field embankment instrumentation, and embankment performance for the first two years of operation. Four theories for predicting settlements of stone column reinforced ground are briefly reviewed. Calculated settlements of the embankment are then compared with the measured settlements. Although the settlements predicted by each method differ, they generally give good results
