Quiz 3 – Ground Improvement

A new embankment is to be constructed over a soft clay layer that is underlain by dense sand with
and an average N60 = 48. The geometry of the embankment and soil stratigraphy are shown below.

12 m

4.5 m
Bulk density = 20kN/m3

Soft clay

Bulk density = 20kN/m3

15 m
Initial void ratio = 0.7

Compression index = 0.2

Very dense sand

Determine the total settlement that will occur after the embankment is constructed. The spacing of
the columns is 1.5 m and the diameter of the columns is 0.9 m. Assume that no settlement on the
dense sand will occur. (Hint Priebe curve can be used to evaluate the settlement ratio)