Section Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology and Geotechnics

SOIL IMPROVEMENT METHODS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Ing. Peter Musec1

1
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Slovakia

ABSTRACT
Various techniques for ground improvement are in use many decades to reduce the
settlement of embankments and to accelerate the consolidation settlement of soft soil
layers such as preloading, soil replacement, lime/cement stabilization, dynamic
consolidation, vibro-stabilization, vertical drains, deep mixing methods or reinforced
soil. Moreover, other more innovative solutions recently developed are also available,
including natural and synthetic fibres or tyre powder penetration. Vertical drains, stone
columns, dynamic compaction, preloading, and soil replacement are commonly used in
geotechnical practice in Slovakia. The most frequently used ground improvement
method in Slovakia was analyzed in comparable engineering-geological and
hydrogeological conditions based on the results of geotechnical monitoring in the paper.
The subsoil consists of compressible soft soils with low permeability. The measured
values of embankment settlements during geotechnical monitoring confirmed high
efficiency of vertical drains - vibro replacement stone columns.
Keywords: ground improvement, stone columns, embankment settlements

INTRODUCTION
Road construction and transportation infrastructure is associated with geohazards in
Slovakia [1], [2]. Special problems were encountered in some areas in Slovakia where
the loess deposits sensitive to changes in water content and susceptible to collapse occur
[3]. Specific geotechnical problems have been faced in the areas where collapsible soils
appeared [4]. In areas of Neogene sediments in Slovakia, adverse strength-deformation
properties of clay layers in combination with groundwater pressure in sandy layers
present a relatively high risk for the geotechnical structures [5]. Stability problems
associated with design and execution of cuts and embankments in landslide areas are
documented in [6], [7]. Landslides can close roads or cause the need for major repairs
and they can greatly increase road construction or maintenance costs [8]. Road
embankments represent a special geotechnical challenge if they comprise embankments
on very soft ground [9]. Various techniques for ground improvement are in use to
reduce the settlement of embankments and to accelerate the consolidation settlement of
soft clay layers such as preloading, soil replacement, lime/cement stabilization, dynamic
consolidation, vibro-stabilization, vertical drains, deep mixing methods, reinforced soil
or synthetic fibres [10], [11]. Vertical drains, stone columns, dynamic compaction,
preloading, and stone drainage ribs are commonly used in geotechnical practice in
Slovakia. Case studies using soil improvement method in similar ground conditions are
introduced in the paper. The geological conditions of the tested area consist of very soft
layers of Quaternary and Neogene sediments under the Paleogene sediments, mostly
claystones. Neogene sediments are overlaid by Quaternary sediments, which consist
mostly of eluvial, proluvial and fluvial sediments. The thickness of the cover of
Quaternary sediments varies from tens of centimetres to several meters. Calculated

https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018/1.2 637