General Analytical Model for Consolidation of Stone Column–Reinforced Ground and Combined Composite Ground

AbstractFirst, this paper develops a new analytical model for the consolidation of stone column–reinforced ground by introducing multiple stone columns into the unit cell for analysis. Governing equations and analytical solutions are obtained for a time-varying surcharge loading, which includes four special loading schemes. The analytical model is then discussed and compared with a conventional analytical model with a single stone column in the unit cell. The results show that the conventional analytical model is a special case of the present model because they predict almost the same average degree of consolidation. This verifies the correctness of the proposed analytical model. Compared with the conventional analytical model, an apparent advantage of this analytical model is that multiple stone columns are introduced into the new unit cell, which makes it possible to extend it to solve the consolidation of a combined composite ground stabilized by impervious piles along with vertical drains with some mo...