Effect of Geotextile Encapsulation on Lime Column Axial Stress in Pontain Marine Clay

Abstract

Previous researchers reported that problematic soft clay can be improved by deep lime stabilization. However, due to low confining pressure of surrounding soil, problems often occurred at top part of column which reduced the performance of lime column, such as: crushing at column head and higher settlement for surrounding soil at the upper part of column. Geotextile encapsulated lime column (GELC) was proposed in this study. The stresses on column are essential in the analysis on columnar improved soil. Multi-stage loading test was conducted on lime column and GELC stabilized Pontian marine clay aged 14 days, 28 days and 56 days in order to investigate axial stress on lime column and GELC stabilized Pontian marine clay. Geotextile encapsulation increased the compressive strength of lime column about 70 percent at axial strain of 8 percent.