Performance Evaluation of a Collapsible Soil Reinforced with Compacted Lateritic Soil Columns

This study was carried out to evaluate a technique to improve lateritic soil layers that are susceptible to collapse upon wetting so that they can be used to support shallow foundations. Specifically, this study focused on the impact of placing groups of compacted lateritic soil columns within a collapsible soil layer, because this may be a more cost-effective alternative than excavating the entire collapsible soil layer and replacing it with a monolithic compacted fill. For this research, oedometer and centrifuge model tests were performed on a lateritic soil collected in the southeastern part of Brazil. The results of the centrifuge tests were used in a numerical analysis to examine the performance of shallow foundations on collapsible soils reinforced with compacted columns under inundated conditions. The experimental and numerical results indicate that such a technique can improve the load-displacement response of shallow foundations constructed on the soil tested and reduce wetting-induced collapse settlements.