Finite Element Analysis to Simulate Installation of Controlled Modulus Columns

Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC) are a ground improvement method based on column inclusions that have become popular in geotechnical practice due to their simplicity and efficiency in construction. They are installed in soil with a displacement auger that laterally displaces the surrounding soil. During the installation, CMC are associated with large soil deformations and highly nonlinear material behaviour. Hence, conventional small-strain finite element models are not effective in simulating the installation stages because the elements in the finite element model at the vicinity of the auger are grossly distorted. However, as a first step towards incorporating the installation effects of CMC in the column design, the adaptive remeshing finite element analysis procedure is performed in this study, which is available in ABAQUS/Standard and capable of performing a deep penetration problem while avoiding mesh distortion. The soil type considered in this study is sand and hence the constitutive behaviour is simulated using the Mohr–Coulomb Model. The load-carrying capacity of a controlled modulus column and the influence zone around a column during installation were determined considering the stress distribution and soil deformation around a column during installation.