Mechanical behaviour and shear resistance of lime/cement columns

In this paper the behaviour and the shear resistance of lime, lime-cement and cement column (i.e. lime/cement columns) have been analysed at failure of an embankment. Different possible failure modes of the columns are presented taking into account the strength and deformation properties of the columns and of the unstabilized soil between the columns, as well as the location of the columns below the embankment. For each possible failure mode a theoretical model is presented to determine the shear resistance of the columns along an assumed slip surface. The models show that the axial load in the columns and the direction and the depth of the slip surface have a large influence on the failure mode and on the shear resistance of the columns.