Rigid Inclusions: Current State of Practice in North America

摘要

While using rigid elements to reinforce a soft soil is not a new idea, it was only widely introduced in the North American market about 15 years ago and has gained wide acceptance only in the last few years. It has now been successfully used across the country for very different types of soil profiles and structures. The technique consists of associating a network of vertical rigid inclusions (R.I.—typically made of concrete) primarily installed using a displacement tool with a granular compacted layer (load transfer platform—L. T. P.). Together with the soil surrounding, the inclusions and the load transfer platform create a ground improvement system for all types of structures from buildings, embankments, MSE walls, slabs, rafts, to tanks, and more. This foundation system reduces overall and differential settlements, increases allowable design bearing capacity, and in some cases mitigate liquefaction. This paper will briefly describe the different techniques available in the marketplace for installation of rigid inclusions, the overall theory behind the design of the rigid inclusions ground improvement system, and give an overview of different actual applications of rigid inclusions in various types of soils and for various types of structures with results of long-term monitoring.