Numerical investigation the behavior under seismic loads improved ground with floating stone columns

In general terms, to improve bearing capacity of problematic soft and loose soil is implemented for the resolution of many problems such as consolidation and grounding problems, to ensure filling and splitting slope stability and liquefaction that results from a dynamic load such as earthquake. In this study, stone columns method is preferred as an improvement method and especially load transfer mechanism and bearing capacity of floating stone column are focused. The soil model, 32 m in width and 8 m in depth, used in this study is made through Plaxis 2D finite element program. The clay having 5 internal friction angle with different cohesion coefficients (c:10, c:15, c:20) are used in models. In addition, stone columns used for soil improvement are modelled at different internal friction angles (𝜙:35, 𝜙:40, 𝜙:45) and in different s/D ranges (s/D:2, s/D:3), stone column depths (0.5B, B, 1.5B, 2B, 3B, 4B) and diameters (D:600 mm, D:800 mm, D:1000 mm). In these soil models, effective ground acceleration value of an earthquake that occurred in Van on 23 October 2011 is applied. At the end of the study, stone column-applied soil model under static and earthquake load effect are compared with other soil models for which stone column is not applied; accordingly it is observed that bearing capacity improves in stone column-applied soil models. In addition, it is observed that bearing capacity of soft clay soil which has been improved through stone column with both static and earthquake load effect increases as a result of increase in diameter and depth of stone column and decreases as a result of increase in ranges of stone column. Key Words: Floating stone columns, Seismic load, Bearing capacity, Finite element program