Ground Improvement of Oil Storage Tanks Using Stone Columns Modificación del Terreno para Tanques de Almacenamiento de

This article describes the design, quality control and performance of vibroreplacement stone columns which were conducted for liquefaction mitigation and settlement control under the foundation of steel oil storage tanks in Poti Oil Terminal, Georgia. In the first phase of the project, four oil storage tanks with varying diameter ranging from 18.50 m to 28.50 m were constructed. The subsoil consists of 20 m thick loose to medium dense silty sand underlain by 15 m thick medium stiff to stiff clay. The groundwater table was located at 1.5 m depth. The recommended geotechnical design consisted of mitigating the liquefaction and reducing settlement using vibroreplacement technique. 1.0 m diameter stone columns down to 15 m depth were installed which corresponds to area replacement ratio of 12.5%-16.5%. Standart penetration tests were performed under each tank, prior to and after improvement of the soil. The results of preliminary and post improvement tests and observed settlements during hydrostatic tests were presented and discussed. Resumen Este artículo describe el diseño, control de calidad y funcionamiento de columnas de piedra instaladas por medio de vibro-sustitución, para la mitigación de la licuación y control del asentamiento bajo la cimentación de los tanques de acero para almacenamiento de petróleo en el Poti Oil Terminal, Georgia. En la primera fase de