Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Geometry and Reinforced Floating Stone Columns on Bearing Capacity

Using stone column is an efficient method to increase bearing capacity of soft soils. In this research, the bearing capacity of flouting stone columns in reinforced and unreinforced modes were examined using large-scale laboratory tests. The stone columns used in this study are with 60mm diameter with 200 and 350mm length and 80mm diameter with 400mm length. These columns are reinforced with nonwoven geotextile. Results show that increasing in diameter and length of stone column and using geotextile as encased stone column increased bearing capacity of stone column. Increasing the diameter of stone column is more effective than increasing the length of stone column. In fact, it is better to use stone column with excessive diameter and proper length (length to diameter ratio more than 5) instead of excessive length and fewer diameters. By using geotextile encasement, stress concentration ratio increased and so bearing capacity improved. Encasing stone column with excessive diameter is more effective than excessive length