Numerical Analysis of Stone Columns for the Reduction of the Risk of Soil Liquefaction

Although stone columns have been frequently used for the prevention of soil liquefaction in the last few years, their mechanical performance is still not fully understood. Both numerical calculations with conventional constitutive models and small-scale laboratory experiments do not explain the improving mechanisms satisfactorily. Under seismic effects, the interaction between the soil and the columns, especially between the pore water and the soil skeleton, makes the understanding of this method even more difficult. In this paper, an application of stone columns for the prevention of soil liquefaction is numerically investigated by means of 2D and 3D simulations. A hypoplastic model was used for the soil description. The drainage effect of the columns and their contribution to the stiffening of the ground were considered separately. Furthermore, the impact of the columns installation method was investigated by increasing soil density and stress ratio. Finally, the role of the intensity of the dynamic load was studied.