الفهرس 
Problems Associated with Construction on Soft ClaysOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The construction of different structures in soft clays has always been associated with settlement and bearing capacity problems. Man has been able to master, at least partly, some of these problems mainly through experiences gained over many centuries. This research is directed to study the improvement of soft clay characteristics by using columnar elements. Columnar elements technique is being used increasingly to improve soil properties and to obtain better performance for soft or weak soils. The experimental work presented in this research is performed to study the performance of shallow foundations with different dimensions resting on soft clay reinforced by columnar elements. The experimental work consists of forty one tests. Five materials for column elements are tested. These are: sand, stone, cement, lime, and bentonite. Different numbers and diameters of columns are tested to study the effect of columns number and diameters on the load settlement curve.
The results of the experimental tests are used to develop two equations, the first equation, for calculating the bearing capacity of shallow foundation resting on soft clay stiffned by columnar elements, the second equation, for calculating the settlement of shallow foundations resting on soft clay stiffned by columnar elements. The developed equations are validated by comparing its results with the measured results of the present research and the laboratory and field measured data found in the literature. Good agreements are obtained between measured and predicted values.