( Reaffirmed 1997 )

Indian Standard
SELECTION OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT
TECHNIQUES FOR FOUNDATION IN
WEAK SOILS - GUIDELINES

UDC 624,138 : 624.15

@ BIS 1992

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

October 19% Price Group 5

Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee, CED 43

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized
by the Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil
Engineering Division Council.
In poor and weak subsoils, the design of conventional shallow foundation for structures and
equipment may present problems with respect to both sizing of foundation as well as control
of foundation settlements. Traditionally, pile foundations have been employed often at
enormous costs. A more viable alternative in certain situations, developed over the recent
years is to improve the subsoil itself to an extent such that the subsoil would develop an
adequate bearing capacity and foundations constructed after subsoil improvement would have
resultant settlements within acceptable limits. The techniques for ground improvement has
developed rapidly and has found large scale application in industrial projects.
 IS 13094 : 1992

Indian Standard
SELECTION OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT
TECHNIQUES FOR FOUNDATION IN
WEAK SOILS - GUIDELINES
1 SCOPE of soil properties prior to imposition of
structural loads.
1.1 This standard covers the guidelines for
selection of ground improvement techniques 3.3 Soil Densikation
using one or more methods.
A technique to densify cohesionless soils by
2 REFERENCES imparting shocks or vibrations.
2.1 The following Indian Standards are 3.4 Soil Reinforcement
necessary adjuncts to this standard:
Rods, strips or fabrics incorporated within soil-
IS No. Title mass to impart resistance to tensile, shear and
compressive forces.
1892 : 1979 Code of practice for subsur-
face investigaticn for founda- 4 NECESSARY DATA
tions (first revision )
6403 : 1981 Code of practice for deter- 4.1 Following information shall be collected
mination of bearing capacity to establish the need for ground imporvement
of shallow foundations (first at a site, for selection of method to be adopted
revision ) and for design of scheme selection.
8009 Code of practice for calcula-
4.1.1 Subsoil profile and soii charatcteristics
(Part 1 ) : 1976 tion of settlement of founda-
Part 1 Shallow up to a depth of about twice the width of the
tions :
loaded area or up to dense/hard strata if
foundations subject to sym-
encountered earlier. The information shall be
metrical static vertical loads
acquired by conducting soil investigations as
Code of practice for per IS 1892 : 1979.
( Part 2 ) : 1980 calculation of settlement of
foundations : Part 2 Deep 4.1.2 Engineering properlies of subsoil shall
foundations subjected to sym- include index properties, shear parameters,
metrical static vertical loading compressibility characteristics etc.
3 TERMINOLOGY 4.1.3 Boreholes shall be supplemented by
3.1 For the purpose of this standard, the conducting a suitable number of static/
following definitions shall apply. dynamic cone penetration tests up to the depth
to be improved. In conjunction with selected
3.1.1 Ground Improvement boreholes these tests serve as a economical and
rapid method of establishing the state of
Enhancement of the inplace properties of the subsoil before and after treatment.
ground by controlled application of technique
suited to the subsoil conditions. 4.1.4 Information shall be obtained with
respect to nature of structure and area covered
3.2 Injection by it, intensity and nature of loading, permissi-
ble distortions, the structure can withstand.
Introduction of a chemical/cementaceous
material into a soil mass by application of 5 CONSIDERATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING
pressure. NEED FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT
3.2.1 Preloading
5.1 Based on subsoil information obtained
Application of loads to achieve improvement from site and the loading exerted by the

1
IS 13094 : 1992

structure, foundation design shall be carried 6.1.2.2 This technique is applicable to fine
out including sizing and settlement analysis. groundsoils such as silts and clays. Subsoils
Ground improvement is indicated if the net exhibiting high secondary consolidation
loading intens5ty of the foundation exceeds characteristics may not be -amenable to
the allowable pressure computed as per required degree of impovement by the preload-
IS 6403 : 1981. ing method.
5.2 Ground treatment is also indicated if even 6.1.2.3 Removal of water from pore spaces has
for relative low loading intensities, the resul- also been carried out by application of electric
tant settlement [ computed in accordance with current to subsoil, the process being known
IS 8009 ( Part 1 ) : 1976 and IS 8009 ( Part 2 ) : as Electra Osmosis.
1980 ] exceeds the acceptable limits for the
structure both from view point of distortions 6.1.3 Injection and Grouting
induced in the structure and from operation
angle. 6.1.3.1 Injection of chemicals, lime, cements
etc, into subsoils improve subsoil by formation
5.3 Loose cohesionless deposits in seismic of bonds between soil particles. Mechanical
zones may be prone to liquefaction during compression of subsoil is also achieved under
earthquakes specially under high water table certain conditions provided grout is pumped
conditions. In such cases, analysis should be in under high pressure.
carried out for establishing liquefaction pot-
ential of the subsoil. Ground improvement is 6.1.3.2 Available methods are suitable for
called for if such analysis establishes that the sands as well as fine grained soils.
subsoil is prone to liquefaction.
6.1.4 Soil Reinforcement
5.4 Stability of soil in slopes can be enhanced
substantially by use of soil reinforcement. 6.1.4.1 Reinforcement introduced into the
soil mass causes marked improvemement in
6 METHODS stiffness and co;?sequently load carrying cap-
city and stability of soil mass.
6.1 Ground improvement is achieved by the
following methods. 6.1.4.2 Reinforcements may be in the form
of dense granular materials in the form of
6.1.1 Soil Densifica tion stone columns. These are used where the
6.1.1.1 By application of shock and vibration primary requirement is increased in capability
to the subsoil and thereby causing rearrange- to carry vertical loads.
ment of the soil structure from a loose
to medium due to dense state. This technique 6.1.4.3 Reinforcements may also be in rhe
form of horizontal or vertical strips and
is applicable only to cohensionless soils under
membranes. These reinforcements serve signi-
high water table conditions.
ficantly to increase the capacity of soil to
6.1.1.2 Methods under this head include withstand tensile, shear and compression loads
vibroflotation, vibrocompaction, compaction and contribute towards improvement of
piles, blasting and dynamic consolidation. stability of soil mass.

6.1.2 Pre-Consolidation 6.1.5 Miscellaneous Methods

6.1.2.1 Expulsion 6.1.5.1 Other methods used successfully inc!ude

of water from the pores
causes consolidation of the soil thereby replacement of poor subsoil by competent fill.
resula tin.g in build up of shear strength and These methods, however have limitations of
substautlally reduced values of final settle- depths of application.
ments of foundations. This is achieved by 6.1.5.2 Improvement of properties of subsoils
precompression of the subsoil by subjecting by heating and drying and by fusion at high
the area to a preload. Preload can be of a temperatures have been employed with success.
soil itself or any suitable material. Preloading Soft soil have also temporarily been strengthen-
is generally carried out in stages to allow ed by freezing to improve stiffness.
gradual build up of soil strength enabling it to
safely suppost further stages of preload. For 6.1.6 Choice of Method
poorly draining soils such as soft clays, pre-
compression is accelerated by provision of 6.1.6.1Annex A presents various methods
vertical drainage channels. of ground improvement alongwith principles,

2
 IS 13094 : 1992

applicabilty to various soil coadirions, material 8.2 After completion of ground improvement
requirements, equipments required, results work in a specific area, the field and laboratory
likely to be achieved and limitations. This tests shall be repeated to assess degree and
table may be referred to as guidance for select- adequacy of improvement of subsoil.
ing the proper method for a situation.
NOTES
6.1.6.2 Annex B gives applicable grain size
1 For medium and major works it is desirable, to
ranges for different treatment methods. initially earmark a trial area for establishing the
pattern and efficiency of the treatment technique
6.1.6.3 For a particular situation more than employed and optimization of the same.
one method may appear to be suitable. In 2 It will also be beneficial to include a programme of
such cases a relative study should be made instrumentation to monitor the behaviour of subsoil
for a proper selection. If necessary, a com- during loading by measurement of pore pressure,
soil movements, earth pressures, foundation settle-
bination of more than one method may be ment, etc.
more suitable.
9 RECORDING OF DATA
7 EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
The equipment and accessories will depend 9.1 A competent inspector shall be present
upon the method of ground improvement to record the necessary information during
adopted. In practice, the type of equipment execution of the ground improvement work.
employed can vary considerably depending
upon the design and resources of the con- 9.2 Data to be recorded shall include:
tractor. However, not only it is important that
the equipment should be capable of reaching 4 Sequence of operation of the work;
the required depths but also the installation
procedure should not adversely affect subsoil
b) Sequence and spacing of treatment
points;
properties thereby reducing efficacy of treat-
ment procedure adopted. C>Depth of treatment;
4 Details of equipment employed and
8 CONTROL OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT installation procedure followed;
WORKS
Records of instrumentation, if any;
8.1 Prior to commencement of ground impro-
Results of soil tests before and after
vement works, pilot boreholes with relevant
treatment; and
field and laboratory tests shall be carried out
in locations specific to area to be improved. Settlements during preloading.

3
 ANNEX A

( Clause 5.1.6.1 )
SOIL IMPROVEMENT METHODS
._~.-__- . r3

Summary of Soil Improvement Methods

~___ ______
Method Principle Most Suitable Soil Maximum Special Mate- Special Equipment Properties of Special Adavantages Relative
Conditions/Types Effective Treat- rials Required Required Treated Material and Limitations cost
ment Depth

-I Blasting Shock wa vcs and Saturated, clean >30 Ill Explosives, Jetting or drilling Can obtain relative Rapid. inexpensive, Low
vibrations cause sands : partly sat- backfill to machine densities to 70-80, can treat any me
liquefaction and mated sands and plug drill may get variabie areas : variable pro-
displacement with silts ( collapsible holes, hole density time dcp- perities, no improve-
settlement to hig- loess ) after flooding casings endent strength mcnt near surface,
her density gain dangerous

z;iretory Densification by Saturated or dry 20 m None Vibratcry pile Can obtain rela- Rapid, simple, good Mode-
vibration; liquefa- clean sand ( Ineffective ) driver and 750 tive densities of underwater, soft rate
ction induced above 3 - 4 m mm dia, open up to 80. Incffec- underlayers may
settlement under depth ) steel pipe tive in some sands damp vibrations,
overburden difficult to pc-netrate,
stiff overlayers, not
good in partly
saturated soils

Vibro- Densification by Cohesionless soils 30 m Granular Vibroflot, crane, Can obtain high Useful in saturated Mode-
compac- vibration and with less than 20 backfill, pumps relative densities, and partly saturated rate
lion compaction of fines water good uniformity soils, uniformity
backfill material supply

Compac- Densification by Loose sandy soils : >20 m Pile material Pile driver, Can obtain high Useful i,l soils with Modr-
tion Piles displacement of partly saturated ( often sand special sand densities, good fines, uniform com- rate to
pile volume and clayey soils, loess or soil plus pile equipment uniformity paction, easy to high
by vibration cement check results, slow,
during driving mixture ) limited improvement
in upper l-2 m
l__~--_l_ ____~_~
Heavy Repeated appli- Cohesionless soils, 30 m None Tampers of up Can obtain good Simple, rapid, suitable Low
Tamping cation of high waste fills, partly to 200 tons, high impro vemer,t for some soils with
(Dynamic intensity impacts saturated soils capacity crane and reasonable fines ; usable above and
Consoli- at surface uniformity below water, requires
dation) control, must be away
from existing structures
Particu- Penetration grout- Medium to coarse Unlimited Grout, Mixers, tanks, Impervious, high Low cost grouts, high Lowest
late ing-fill soil pores sand and gravel water pumps, hoses strength with strength; limited to of the
Grouting with Foil, cement, cement grout, coarse-grained soils, grout
and/or clay eliminate lique- hard to evaluate systems
factiou danger

Chemical Solutions of two Medium silts and Unlimited Grout, Mixers, tanks, Impervious, 10~ Low viscosity con- High
Grouting or more cherr.icals coarser water pumps, hoses to high strength trollable gel time, to very
react in soil pores eliminate lique- good water shut-off: . high
to form a gel or a faction danger high cost, hard to
solid precipitate evaluate

Pressure Lime slurry injec- Expansive clays Unlimited, Lime, Slurry tanks, Lime encapsula- Only effective in Compe
IEjected ted to shallow but 2-3 m water agitators? ted zones formed narrow range of titive
Lime depths under usual surfactant pumps, hoses by channels resu- soil conditions with
high prsssure lting from cracks, other
root holes, solu-
hydraulic tions to
fracture expan-
sive soil
pro-
blems

Displace- Highly viscous Soft, finegrained Unlimited, Soil, cement Batching equip- Grout bulbs Good for correction Low
ment grout acts as soils; foundation but a few water ment, high pre- within compre- of differential settle- mater-
Grout radial hydraulic soils with large m usual ssure pumps, ssed soil matrix merits. filling large ial high
jack when pum- voids or cavities hoses voids; careful cont- injection
ped in under rol required
high pressure

Electro- Stabilizing chemi- Saturated silts ; Unknown Chemical DC power Increased stren- Existing soil and stru- Expen-
kinetic cals moved into silty clays ( clean stabilizer supply, anodes, gth, reduced ctlures not subjicted to sive
Iniection soil by electro- sands in case of colloidal cathodes compressibility, high pressures; no
osmosis or coll- colloid injection ) void fillers reduced liqucfa- good in soil with
oids into pores ction potenti al high conductivity
by electrophorasis

Jet High speed jets at _ ands, silts, clays Water, Special jet Solidified col- Useful in soils that
Grou ting depth excavate in- ’ stabilizing nozzle, pumps, umns and walls can’t be permeation
ject, and mix siabi- chemicals pipes and hoses grouted? precision
lizer with soil to in locatmg treated
form columns or zones
panels
 ANNEX A ( continued )

Summary of Soil Improvement Methods

Method Principle Most Suitable Soil Maximum Special Mate- Special Equipment Properties 0 f Special Advantages Relative
Conditions/Types Effective Treat- Gals Required Required Treated Material and Limitations . Cost
ment Depth

Preload- Load is applied Normally consoli- __ Earth fill or Earth moving Reduced water Easy, theory well Low
ing with/ sufficiently in adv- dated soft clays, other mate- equipment, large content and void developed, uniformity; (Mode-
without ante of construc- silts, organic rial for water tanks or ratio, increased requires long time rate if
Drain tion so that com- deposits, comple- loading the vacuum drain- strength ( vertical drains vert i -
pression of soft ted sanitary site; sand or age systems can be used to reduce cal
soils is completed landfills gravel for sometimes used; consolidation time ) drains
prior to develop- drainage settlement are
ment of the site blanket markers. requi-
piezometers red )

2
‘;: Surcharge Fill in excess of Normally consoli- -- Earth fill or Earth moving Reduced water Faster than preload- Mode-
z Fills that required dated soft clays, other mate- equipment: content, void ing without surcharge, rate
k permanently is silts, organic depo- rial for settlement ratio and com- theory well developed
g applied to achieve sits, completed loading the markers, pressibility; extra material handl-
8 a given amount of sanitary landfills site; sand or piezometers increased ing; can llse vertical
k settlement in a gravel for strength drains to reduce
shorter time; drainage consolidation time
excess fill then blanket
removed

Electro- DC current causes Normally consoli- -- Anodes (UFU- DC power Reduced water No fill loading requi- High
osmosis water flow from dated silts and ally rebars supply, wiring, content and red, be used in con-
anode towards silty clays or alu- metering compressibility, fined area, relatively
cathode where it minium) systems increased fast; non-uniform
is removed cathodes strength, elec- properties between
( well points trochemical electrodes; no
or rebars ) hardening good in highly
conductive soils
 ~~~~
Remnve Foundation soil Inorganic soils 10 m Admixture Excavnting, Increased stren- Uniform, controlled High
and excavated, impro- stabilizers mixing, and gth and stiffness, foundation soil when
Replace ved by drying or Compaction reduced come- replaced; may
admixture, and equipment pressibility require large area
rccompactcd dewatcring dcwatcring
system

Structu- Structural fill dis- Use over soft clays -- Sand, gra - Mixing and Soft subgradc High strength, good Low to
ral Fills tributes loads to or organic soils, vel fly ash, compaction protected by load distribution high
underlying soft marsh deposits bottom ash, equipment structural load- to underlying soft *
soils slag, expa- bearing fill soils
nded aggre-
gate, clam
shell or
oyster shell,
incinerator
ash

Mix-in- Lime, cement, or All soft or loose > 20 m Cement, Drill rig, rotary Solidified soil Uses native soil, Mode-
Place asphalt introdu- inorganic soils lime asph- cutting and piles or walls reduced lateral sup- rate to
Piles and ted through rota- alt, or mixing head, of relatively port requirements high
Walls ting auger or chemical additive pro- high strength during excavation;
special in-place stabilizer portioning difficult quality
mixer equipment control
_-
I -
Heating Drying at low Fine-grained 1.5 m Fuel Fuel tanks, Reduced water Can obtain irrever- High
temperatures; soils, especially burners, content, plasti- sib12 improvements
alteration of partly saturated blowers city, water sen- in properties: can
clays at interme- clays and silts, sitivity; increa- introduce stabilizers
diate tempera- loess sed strength with hot gases
tures (400-600°C);
fusion at high
temperatures
(>lOOO~C)

Freezing Freeze soft., wet All soils Several m Refrigerant Refrigeration Increased stren- No good in flowing High
ground to Increase system gth and stiffness, ground water,
its strength and reduced perme- temporary
stiffness ability
-
 ANNEX A ( corduded )

Summary of Soil Improvement Methods

Metbod Principle Most Suitable Soil Maximum Special Mate- Special Eqltipment Properties 0f Special Advantages Relative
Conditions/Types Effective Treat- rials Required Required Treated Material and Limitations * Cost
ment Depth

Vibro Hole jetted into Soft clays and 20 m Gravel or Vibroflot, crane Iixcreased bc;:r- I_‘&!sterthat- prccom- Mode-
Replace- soft, fine-grained alluvia1 deposits crush& or vibrocat, ing cap&city, pression, avoids rate to
mer.t Stone soil and backfilled rock backfill water reduced settle- dewatcring required high
and Sand with densely com- ments for remove aud
Columns pacted gravel or replac:; limited
sand bearing capacity
-
Z
Root Inclusions used All soils Reinforcing Drilling and Reinforced z3ne In-situ rci!~forcement Mode-
8 Pilts, to carry tension, bars, grouting equip- behaves as a for soils that c:::i’t rate to
Soils shear, compre- cement ment coherent mass be grouted clr mixed- high
s Nailing ssion grout in-place with
.9 admixtures
B -~
Strips Horizontalt;;;jle Cohesionless Can cor3t- Metal or Excavating, Self-supporting Economical, earth Low to
and strips, soils ruct earth plastic earth handling, earth structures, structures coherent, mode-
a
Mem- nes buried in soil structures strips, and compaction increased bear- can tolerate c!efor- rate
branes under embank- to heights geotextiles equipment ing capacity, mations; increased
ments, gravel of several reduced defor- allowable bearing
base courses and tons of m mations pressure
footings
-_
 IS 13094 : 1992

ANNEX B
. ( Clause 6.1.6.2 )
GRAIN SIZE RANGES FOR DIFFERENT TREATMENT METHODS

iravall Sand Silt Cla

I
I I
I I
Vibro-comoaction \
I I
Blast ina \
I
‘articulata Grou
1
Chemical Grout _ I

0.1 0.01
Particla Size - m m

9
I I
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i
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I