Characterisation and Modelling of Cement-Treated Soil Column used as Earth Retaining Structure

Abstract

Owing to the extensive presence of soft soil which covers about one quarter of land area in Singapore, it is often required to improve the soft soil for various construction purposes especially for excavation works. One such ground improvement technique is to treat the soft soil with cement to increase its in-situ strength and stiffness. The treatment may be conducted at great depth as embedded struts to support deep excavation or at shallower depth not far below ground level to facilitate an open excavation work. However, relatively little studies had been performed to study the latter treatment method. This research covers the experimental studies of the behavior of cement-treated marine clay and numerical studies of the behavior of cement-treated soil columns used as a retaining wall system in an open excavation. The field data complements the experimental and numerical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of this retaining system.