Experimental and Numerical Studies on 3D Cellular Confinements Supported over an Encased Group of Stone Columns

The performance of three-dimensional (3D) cellular confinement over a geotextile-encased group of stone columns subjected to static loading was studied with the help of experimental and numerical studies. Laboratory tests were performed on soft soil reinforced with 3D cellular confinement over a group of stone columns with and without geotextile encasing. The behavior of 3D cells made of polymeric nanocomposite alloy and bamboo were compared. In addition to the experimental study, three-dimensional numerical small-scale and large-scale modeling was also presented [using the software PLAXIS 3D version 22)] by considering the honeycomb structure of the geocell. It has been noted that the soil foundation underneath the bamboo 3D cellular confinement demonstrates a 27%–31% increase in bearing capacity for each level of settlement when compared to the soil subgrade under the geocell. The maximum improvement factor (If), If = 3.8, was observed in the case of bamboo 3D cellular confinement over the encased group of stone columns. The value If = 3.8 represents almost four times the increase in the load-carrying capacity of the foundation bed compared with the unreinforced bed. The aforementioned results of axial load test operations, numerical results, and methodology are discussed briefly in this paper.