INFLUENCE OF GEOMETRICAL IMPERFECTIONS OF RIGID SOIL REINFORCEMENT COLUMNS

This theoretical study focuses on the influence of geometrical imperfections of rigid soil reinforcement columns. Discrepancies compared to projected values are investigated for different parameters like the column position, the column diameter or the column length. The effects of an unintentional curvature, inclination, and load eccentricity are examined. The consequences of the different geometrical imperfection types are classified in terms of loss of structural capacity (brittle failure), loss of bearing capacity (extreme column displacements), or loss of stability (buckling), establishing the most decisive imperfection types. Threshold levels leading to particular sensitivity of the system will be defined, in order to increase the quality of such systems by a more careful execution of the determining parameters.