Homogenization method for numerical analysis of improved ground with cement-treated soil columns

A two-phase mixture model for evaluating stress-strain relationship of mixtures with different elastic materials is proposed based on the consideration of stress distribution. As a homogenisation method in numerical analysis of composite materials, this approach is applied to improved ground with pile-shaped columns for obtaining average elastic moduli and yield stresses of the improved ground. A series of model tests of the improved ground with cement-treated soil columns was conducted and vertical settlement and horizontal displacement under inclined loads was measured. From comparison between the numerical analysis and test results, it is confirmed that the proposed method is effective for predicting the coefficients of subgrade reaction and bearing capacities of the improved ground.