Ground Improvement Solutions

Ground Improvement Solutions

Ground Improvement is enhancing the poor ground conditions by mechanical means & the inclusion of geosynthetic products. It enhances the soil properties of foundation soil thereby increasing its bearing capacity to support the structure. Various ground improvement techniques are discussed below.

Benefits of Ground Improvement

  • Higher embankments can be constructed
  • Enhance bearing capacity
  • Makes the bases stiff to dissipate pressure over wider area
  • Prevent deformation of the ground
  • No skilled labour is required and can be laid in any weather condition
  • Light weight and easy to install at site
  • Cost effective in comparison to higher soil replacement

Applications of Ground Improvement

  • Roads and railways
  • Embankments over soft soil
  • Piled embankments
  • Embankment over cavities
  • Landfills and ponds
  • Working platforms

ATGRID-Biaxial (PET)

It is manufactured using high molecular weight (>25000 gm/mol) and high tenacity polyester yarn. The polyester yarn are knitted together to provide its design strength in both machine and cross machine direction and finished with polymeric coating into a grid like structure.

Features of ATGrid-Biaxial (PET)

  • Stable aperture
  • Polymeric coating provides resistance from UV rays
  • High LTDS upto 100 kN/m with low creep

ATWEB

These are cellular confinement system which forms a rigid base for the weak soil to improve the bearing capacity of the ground. It is made up of ultrasonically welded high density polyethylene strips and used in it’s expanded form filled with soil. The cell depth and weld spacing can vary as per project requirements.

Features of ATWEB

  • Control settlements
  • It is easy to cut to any size without damage and provides reinforcement to weak ground.

Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs)

PVD drains, also known as Prefabricated Vertical Drains or Wick Drains, are geotechnical solutions used in soil improvement projects to accelerate the consolidation of soft or loose soils. They consist of vertical strips made of synthetic material, typically polypropylene, that are installed into the ground.

Features of PVDs

  • Drainage core ensures proper removal of excess pore pressures from the ground
  • Reduction in consolidation time from many years to months
  • Low cost solution to long term settlements
  • Increase undrained shear strength of soil
  • Improves bearing capacity of ground

Stone Columns

These are vertical granular columns used to stabilize the weak ground by increasing its shear strength thereby enhancing bearing capacity and reducing settlements to support the structure.

Benefits of Stone Columns

  • Increased strength to improve stability
  • Reduced deformation due to distortion or compressibility of the soil mass
  • Reduced susceptibility to liquefaction
  • Reduced natural variability of soils, to make it more economical
  • Settlement reduction