A simple theoretical approach to predict the deformation behaviour of
soft ground reinforced by columnar inclusions such as stone columns/gr
anular piles, sand compaction piles, lime or cement columns, etc., is
presented in this paper. The analysis is performed based on the deform
ation properties of the column material and the surrounding soil. The
interaction shear stresses between the column and the surrounding soil
are considered to account for the stress transfer between the column
and the soil. The solution is obtained by imposing compatibility betwe
en the displacements of the column and the soil for each element of th
e column-soil system. Numerical evaluations ave made for a range of pa
rameters to illustrate the influence of various parameters on the pred
ictions. The proposed method is verified with finite element analysis
and a reasonable agreement is obtained between the predictions. Copyri
ght (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.