A Sustainable Solution for Vertically and Horizontally Reinforced Stone Columns

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Shivangi Saxena, L.B. Roy, Pawan Kumar

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I3P119

How to Cite?

Shivangi Saxena, L.B. Roy, Pawan Kumar, "A Sustainable Solution for Vertically and Horizontally Reinforced Stone Columns," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 200-206, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I3P119

Abstract:

Stone columns are a widely used technique for soil reinforcement. In extremely soft ground situations, individual stone columns within a geosynthetic enclosure would help preserve the stones from squeezing into the surrounding soil. This article presents an opportunity to demonstrate the necessity of using various recycled aggregates in lieu of natural aggregates as a solution to the exploitation of natural aggregates and the disposal of construction waste. The feat of geotextiles as smart material in the construction of Geotextile Encased Stone Columns has been evaluated through laboratory modeling on the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) mould through a unit cell approach. Different aggregates' load-settlement characteristics highlighted the benefits of replacing the natural aggregates with spent railway track ballast and recycled concrete debris along with sand. The unsoaked CBR test results of Vertically Encased Stone Columns (VESCs) and Horizontally Reinforced Stone Columns (HRSCs) made up of recycled aggregates and sand showed improved efficiency in terms of load settlement response and strength properties. The efficiency of HESC and VESC made up of 50% spent railway ballast and 50% sand was found to be 94% and 92%, respectively, with respect to natural aggregates, whereas the least efficiency was observed for concrete debris and sand mixture (71% for HESC and 67% for VESC) among all the combinations of aggregates. It was concluded that sand can be used as a partial replacement for aggregates, and recycled aggregates are an economical and sustainable alternative to natural aggregates in building stone columns.

Keywords:

Ground improvement, Sustainable approach, California bearing ratio test, Recycled aggregates, Horizontally Reinforced Stone Columns, Vertically Encased Stone Columns.

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