Numerical study for optimization of compacted granular columns reinforced with geosynthetics

• Grant number: 19/07453-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Henrique Martins Portelinha
• Grantee: Lucas Gabriel Santos Kriegler
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Granular columns have been intensively used in many geotechnical problems involving ground improvement. Recently, the use of geotextiles encased columns has provided viability and has increased the use of granular columns in soft clays. In case of the improvement of low strength soils (not necessarily soft clays), the reinforced granular columns have been suggested in literature to provide viability of shallow foundations. This study aims to evaluate the use of geosynthetic reinforced granular columns using geotextile encased or geogrids reinforcing internally the filling material in order to optimize the reinforcement density considering other parameters of influence. This research project is based on the numerical modeling of the physical model tested by Albino (2019) and posterior parametric analyses involving geometry, reinforcement density and the reinforcement range. Analyses will be conducted considering the compaction of filling material after opening hole via excavation and a second methodology involving the compaction of filling material after opening hole by pounding.