| Abstract: |
Ground improvement techniques have become increasingly crucial for enhancing the bearing capacity and reducing settlement of weak soils in geotechnical engineering applications. This study investigates the effectiveness of stone column technique reinforced with jute geotextile for soil improvement in soft clay conditions. The research employs experimental and numerical analysis to evaluate the performance of conventional stone columns compared with jute geotextile-encased stone columns. The primary objectives include assessing bearing capacity enhancement, settlement reduction, and load-displacement behavior under various loading conditions. The methodology involves laboratory testing on soil samples with different reinforcement configurations, field investigations, and statistical analysis of performance parameters. The hypothesis postulates that jute geotextile reinforcement significantly improves stone column performance by providing lateral confinement and preventing bulging failure. Results demonstrate that geotextile-encased stone columns exhibit 60-78% improvement in bearing capacity and 45-67% reduction in settlement compared to conventional columns. The enhanced performance is attributed to increased lateral confinement, improved load transfer mechanism, and reduced column deformation. Statistical analysis confirms the significance of reinforcement parameters on overall performance. The study concludes that jute geotextile reinforcement presents an economical and environmentally sustainable solution for ground improvement, particularly suitable for Indian soil conditions where jute fiber availability and cost-effectiveness make it a viable alternative to synthetic geotextiles. |
