Numerical Modeling of Controlled Modulus Column Installation in Soft Soils using a Linear Elastic Perfectly Plastic Soil Model

This paper provides an examination of the installation-induced stresses around Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC) by considering the soft soil as a linear elastic perfectly plastic Tresca material. An overview of this soil improvement technology is presented. Cylindrical cavity expansion implemented via the finite element software PLAXIS is used to simulate the CMC construction process. A parametric analysis that examines the influence of soil properties in the installation-induced set-up stresses around the CMCs is presented. It is concluded that the stiffness and strength of the soil significantly influence the development of the set-up stresses in the form of earth pressure coefficient (K) values in the vicinity of the CMCs