SOIL IMPROVEMENT.

INTRODUCTION
General practice is to use shallow foundations for the foundations of buildings and other such structures, if the soil close to the ground surface possesses sufficient bearing capacity. However, where the top soil is either loose or soft, the load from the superstructure has to be transferred to deeper firm strata. In such cases, pile or pier foundations are the obvious choice.

There is also a third method which may in some cases prove more economical than deep foundations or where the alternate method may become inevitable due to certain site and other environmental conditions.

This third method comes under the heading foundation soil improvement. In the case of earth dams, there is no other alternative than compacting the remolded soil in layers to the required density and moisture content.

The soil for the dam will be excavated at the adjoining areas and transported to the site. There are many methods by which the soil at the site can be improved. Soil improvement is frequently termed soil stabilization, which in its broadest sense is alteration of any property of a soil to improve its engineering performance. Soil improvement

1. Increases shear strength
2. Reduces permeability, and
3. Reduces compressibility

The methods of soil improvement considered in this chapter are

1. Mechanical compaction
2. Dynamic compaction
3. Vibroflotation
4. Preloading
5. Sand and stone columns
6. Use of admixtures
7. Injection of suitable grouts
8. Use of geotextiles