ABSTRACT
In order to estimate the settlement due to the static load transmitted from the structure to the underlying soil, it is necessary to have knowledge about the distribution of the stresses in the soil mass. In homogenous soils the stress distribution is calculated assuming that the soil is a linear elastic material and hence the theory of elasticity is applicable. The estimation of the stress distribution will become more complicated in the case of modified soil improved by lime/cement columns. A finite element method has been applied using a three-dimensional model to study the stress distribution behavior. Both elastic and elastic-plastic-analysis have been taken into consideration. The load distribution between lime/cement columns and the surrounding soil is affected by many factors among them, the spacing of the column, the compression moduli ratio between the lime/cement columns and the untreated soil, the length of the column and finally, the magnitude of the applied load. In this paper, results from numerical analysis are presented.
