Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Settlement Estimations for Stone Columns

Settlement estimation after Priebe

p = 50 kN/m2
0 m

Sand
2.0 m

Clay

4.0 m

Sand

7.0 m

Given: γ' = 10 kN/m2 , γ = 20 kN/m2 , ϕcol = 40°, Ds, clay = 2000 kN/m2 , Dc / Ds = 40
-> Dc = 80000 kN/m2
A
=4
Ac

A standard settlement calculation for the settlements of the clay layer gives:
50 .
s= (4.0 - 2.0) = 0.05 m = 5 cm
2000

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

n0 over A/As - chart, from Priebe

n0 = 2.6

Consideration of column compressibility, from Priebe

A A
from above figure it follows:
Ac
+ ∆ A = 4.1
c

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Determination of the depth factor, from Priebe

From the above chart it follows y = 0.62, which gives

1
fd =
1− y⋅
∑ (γ s ⋅ ∆d )
for 2.0 m depth p = 1.98
1
fd =
1− y⋅∑
(γ s ⋅ ∆d )
for 4.0 m depth p = 3.91
In the average fd = 2.95

n2 = n1 . 2.95 = 7.4

scol = s / 7.4 = 5.0 cm / 7.4 = 0.7 cm

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Comparison of various settlement estimation methods

The left figure shows the large scatter in

results for the various estimation procedures.

This should not lead to the assumption that

the settlements of stone columns cannot be
estimated at all.

The biggest problem today in narrowing in

the bandwidth of these settlement estimations
is a lack of well-documented full load tests
for stone columns, where the soil data was
sufficiently gathered in order to feed the data
of the measured settlements and the soil
characteristics into the settlement estimation
models.

A fact that further complicates the matter is

the large difference in the vibratory
equipment and installation techniques which
both influence heavily the later settlement
behavior of a foundation. It is a big difference
Comparison of settlement estimation methods if a vibroprobe with 1800 RPM and good
penetration capabilities installs a column in silty sand without much washout of in-situ soil or if a weaker machine
at 3000 RPM washes out a large portion of the soil before the gravel for the column is placed.
The difference in the degree of soil compaction and lateral confining stresses on the column and consequently the
settlement behavior is tremendous, while none of these facts is entered in any of the existing calculation procedures
in a clearly defined way.

For the time being it is therefore still necessary to trust to a large extent into the expertise of the specialized
companies and their local experience in order to compensate for the shortcomings of the existing calculation
models not being thoroughly calibrated.

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

DC-Vibro, a program to estimate Stone Column settlements

DC-Software and Vibroflotation GmbH have jointly developed a Windows ® program called DC-Vibro. A free
trial version of this software can be downloaded from the Internet on DC-Software’s site www.dc-software.de.
This trial version has certain limitations of use, such as no printer module, depth limited to 6 m, only one file can
be saved, etc. The program is based on the theory by Priebe (Geotechnical Engineering, Dec. 1995).
The program is available in English and German language.

There is no guarantee that the DC-Vibro software is error-free. Vibrofloation GmbH and DC-Software refuse any
liablity for damages as a result of using this free softeware. However, DC-Software will do their best effort to fix
such errors in the code if they are reported to them.

Below a sample problem (Wastewater Treatment Plant) is shown as a reference for the program’s capabilities.

Input of geometry
The geometry of the structures can be entered graphically. Round, rectangular and strip footings can be easily
drawn like with a standard CAD program. For each building (here 1 through 5) a cross section can be defined. For
each cross section an individual soil profile over depth can be choosen. The program can even be used for
settlement problems that do not involve Stone Columns, by simply setting the stone column diameter to zero or
ignoring the results for “treated ground” in the output file.

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Input of soil profile information

The soil parameters are entered for each of the five footings (sections) individually. Here the input for the tank
(footing no. 5) is shown.
For each section an unlimited number of soil layers can be chosen. Below the input window for the first soil layer
of section 5 is given.
The program requires for each soil layer the set of information as given below.

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Output of input parameters

The input parameters are printed in a tabulated file, for later documentation.

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Output for rectangular footing no. 3

Detail of above page:

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Tabulated results for settlement estimation on footing no. 3.

Settlements are reduced from 90 mm to 39 mm due to the stone column treatment.

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Output for tank (footing no. 5)

Vibro Systems Inc.

Vibratory Ground Improvement Manual

Output for tank (footing no. 5), continued

Vibro Systems Inc.