GROUND IMPROVEMENT USING

THE
VIBRO-STONE
COLUMN TECHNIQUE

By

GAURAV VERMA
RESEARCH SCHOLAR
CIVIL ENGINEERING
IIT BHU (VARANASI)

What is Stone Column?

A ground improvement technique
to improve the load bearing capacity
and reduce the settlement of the soil
Stone column consists of crushed
coarse aggregates of various sizes

What is the Requirement of Ground

Improvement?
To alter the natural properties of rock or soil
Reducing compressibility and permeability
Increasing strength ,bearing capacity

Functions and Uses

1. To increase the bearing capacity
2. Improves the stiffness of subsoil to decrease settlements
3. To carry very high loads
4. More economical than piling
5. No waiting period after installation
6. Homogenizes variable soil properties

Expected Stone Columns Results!!

Limitations

With sensitivity greater than 4

Installed at a distance of less than 3.66m

Case Study : Stone Column

Four lane National Highway connectivity to ICTT - Vallarpadam,
Kochi
Connects NH 47 and NH - 17
Project cost was revised from 329.46 cr. to 571.20 cr. due to ground
improvement, bridges and retaining walls.
Road length 17.2 km, total length of bridges 2.93 km.
Ground Improvement works 10 km.
Wet/Top method of installation was used.
Stone columns where installed in 15 locations between Ch, 0.245 and
16.210

Case Study : Stone Column

Top Feed System

Penetration

Stone Feeding

Compaction

Finishing

Case Study : Stone Column

Case Study : Stone Column

Quantity of stone aggregate used : 28774 cum.
Geo grid consumed : 35536.12 sq.m
Bulk Density considered : 1.8 MT/m3
Approximate quantity of aggregate for one column was : 35MT
Total number of stone column : 22166 nos
Time required for each stone column : 60 min.
Total running meter of all the columns : 91641 Rm
No. of stone columns installed per day : 15 nos

Thank You