Geotextile Encapsulation as Protection to Lime Column under Shear Load

<jats:p>Deep lime stabilization such as lime column, can effectively improve the problematic soft clay through stabilization, settlement reduction and embankment stabilization. Nevertheless, the reduction of lime column load capacity was often encountered due to the column lateral displacement which was induced by high lateral earth pressure in embankments and deep excavation. In order to protect and enhance the mobilization of lime column strength, geotextile encapsulation was proposed for lime column. In this study, large shear box tests were conducted on lime column and geotextile encapsulated lime column (<jats:italic>GELC</jats:italic>) stabilized Pontian marine clay samples with different column sizes and curing ages, in order to investigate the performance of geotextile encapsulation on lime column in Pontian marine clay under shear loading. It was found that geotextile encapsulation effectively increased the horizontal shear resistance of lime column and protected the column from defect due to lateral displacement, especially at early age when modification was still in process. Geotextile encapsulation also successfully protected lime column from shear and bending failure under lateral load.</jats:p>