ABSTRACT
Designing an optimal foundation for industrial structures in highly seismic regions attracts attention from practicing geotechnical engineers. This paper discusses an innovative ground improvement (GI) approach for a project in Assam. The project site is characterized by weak soils, low bearing capacity, sensitivity to settlements and risk of liquefaction. Traditional heavy foundation solutions were deemed uneconomical given the large pile diameter and depth required for high seismic lateral forces. A GI solution with either a combination of vibro stone columns and vibro compaction or vibro stone columns was implemented to address these challenges based on ground conditions. Post improvement assessments were conducted to validate the efficacy of the ground treatment, which demonstrated significant enhancements in soil characteristics. These results were consistent with design assumptions, confirming the adequacy of the selected ground improvement methods. The study concludes that the adopted GI solution provides a stable, cost-effective, sustainable and time-efficient alternative solution.
