Performance Evaluation of Lime and Stone Columns for the Frame Structures Constructed on Soft Consolidating Soil

One of the most common, effective, and innovative methods for improving soft soil is the use of stone columns or lime columns. A comprehensive analysis has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of lime and stone columns in addressing settlement issues in structures built on soft consolidating soil. This analysis investigated the efficacy of lime and stone columns in maintaining the structural stability, including settlement and forces within the structure, at various time intervals during the consolidation of foundation soil. A two-dimensional plane strain finite element method was employed in this numerical study. The results indicate that both stone and lime columns are effective in dissipating excess pore water pressure and settlement during and after structure construction. However, lime columns appear to be more effective than stone columns in reducing settlement at the completion of construction and final consolidation. Moreover, the provision of columns, especially stone columns, has a greater impact on the redistribution of axial forces in the structure. Both stone and lime columns are effective in reducing bending moments in the columns of a structure. The results emphasize the importance of taking into account both foundation and soil for the analysis of structures on soft, consolidating soil with columns.