This document presents a study on the bearing capacity of encased stone columns conducted by students at Biluru Gurubasaval Mahaswamiji Institute of Technology in Mudhol, Karnataka, India during 2022-2023. The objectives of the study are to design encased stone columns using geo-mesh, study the behavior and load-bearing properties of stone columns, and compare the bearing capacity of soil with and without stone columns. The methodology involves selecting materials, building stone columns encased in geo-mesh, testing materials, and analyzing results. The study aims to improve foundations on weak soils and reduce settlement issues.

1. BILURU GURUBASAVA MAHASWAMIJI
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
“STUDY ON BEARING CAPACITY OF ENCASED
STONE COLUMNS”
MUDHOL – 587313, KARNATAKA, INDIA.
2022-2023
Project co-ordinator
Prof. Manjula Mathapati
Head of Department
Prof. G. S.Jirali
Principal
Dr. Shravankumar B Kerur
Praveen Madar(2LB18CV025)
Parvati S Sobarad (2LB20CV429)
Shivaraj R Nashi(2LB19CV020)
Shashikumar G Horatti(2LB20CV424)
Under the guidence of:
Prof.Vijayalata Hiremath

2. Contents
Introduction
Literature review
Objectives
Methodology
Materials
Advantages and limitations
Reference

3. Introduction
Geotechnical engineering, the bearing capacity and settlement are two main criteria that
control the design and performance of footings.
 In soft soils, the construction of structures such as a building, storage tanks, warehouse, etc,
on weak soils usually involves excessive settlement or stability problems.
 To solve or reduce bearing capacity and settlement problems, soil improvement may be
considered by using stone-columns.
In addition, because of high permeability of stone column material, consolidation rate in soft
clay increases.
With encasing the stone columns, confning pressure around columns increases leading to
increasing in bearing capacity and reduction in settlement

4. Literature review
◦ Mohammed Y. Fattah et. al.
◦ Describes research work has been done on the behaviour of embankment models resting on
soft soil reinforced with ordinary and encased stone columns (ESCs).
◦ Mukul Bora et. al.2014
◦ Describes the behaviour of stone column under load in soft clay bed. The group effect of the
stone column was also studied in this investigate as the stone column reinforced bed was
prepared in group.
◦ MurtazaHasanet. al.2016
◦ Explain results of a series of laboratory model tests and numerical analysis carried on
geosynthetic reinforced granular pile under short term loading.
◦ P. Mohantyet. al.2015
◦ describes the soil layering effects on response of the stone column and stone column improved
ground through a series of small scale laboratory tests and numerical analyses.
◦ YogendraTandelet. al.2015
◦ analyses the behavior of stone column by the numerical modelling of a small group of
laboratory- modelled reinforced stone column

5. Objectives :
To design encased stone coloumn by using geo mesh.
To study the behavior / handled properties of stone coloumn .
To compare bearing capacity of soil with stone column and without stone coloumn.

6. Methodology :
Selection of materials based on availability.
Procurement of material require.
Testing of material / study of material properties.
Buliding of stone coloumn by using geo-mesh.
Results and discussion.

7. Materials
• Hydraulic pump
• Dail gauge
• River sand
• Geo mesh
• Stones (20mm)
• Proving ring

8. Advantages
• Can be used for dewatering of silty and clayey soils which are difficult to drain by gravity.
• Method is fast and instantaneous.
• Environment-friendly method
• Equipments required are few in number and easy to carry to the site.
• Method useful for all types of soils.Efficiency of this method is very high.
• Less man-power required to implement this method.

9. Limitations
◦ Practical application limited since very costly.
◦ Before actual application on site Laboratory tests and site tests are imperative.
◦ Huge amount of electricity.
◦ neededHighly skilled labour neededElectrodes replacement needed from time to time.
◦ Method becomes ineffective if the moisture content of the soil is extremely low.

10. References
◦ Ali K, Shahu JT, Sharma KG (2014) Model tests on single and groups of stone columns
with diferent geosynthetic reinforcement arrangement. Geosynth Int. 21(2):103–118
◦ ASTM D3080/D3080M–11, Standard test method for direct shear test of soils under
consolidated drained conditions.
◦ Gniel J, Bouazza A (2009) Improvement of soft soils using geogrid encased stone
columns. Geotext Geomembr 27(3):167–17.5