Shear Strength Behaviour of Pervious Concrete Column Improved Soft Clay Bed: A Numerical Study

In this study, the shear strength of plain and reinforced stone column improved weak soil is presented by numerically analysing direct shear test models. The reinforced stone column considered is pervious concrete column. The objective is to compare the shear behaviour of ordinary stone column improved weak soil with pervious concrete column improved weak soil. A total of 378 direct shear test models were analysed to study the effect of normal pressure, effect of diameter, effect of reinforcement and lateral deformation of columns. Inclined direct shear tests were also analysed by varying the slope (±) of potential failure surface with horizontal to represent the actual practical conditions and findings are presented. The ultimate shear strength of pervious concrete column improved soil bed is found to be higher than ordinary stone column improved soil bed. It is found that the pervious concrete column improved weak soil under zero normal pressure has significant shear resistance than ordinary stone column improved weak soil. It is concluded that pervious concrete columns could be provided beneath the toe of the embankment for better shear performance.