Columnas de piedra inyectadas y revestidas con geotextil para mejoramiento de suelos blandos de Guayaquil.

Abstract

This Thesis Work conducts a comprehensive literature review on the use, application, theoretical principles, and methodological approaches of encased stone columns and grouted stone columns. Case studies of constructions employing these systems are analyzed, and their performance is evaluated. Subsequently, the implementation of a new construction element based on these approaches is proposed for soil improvement in the city of Guayaquil, along with an economically viable construction methodology for this element. The proposed methodology is designed for application in extremely soft soils where conventional construction machinery faces access limitations. The proposed construction element is the grouted stone column encased with geotextile, combining both aforementioned approaches and leveraging materials to ensure a rapid and cost-effective construction process. Tests are conducted to obtain a cement slurry and stone granulometry that enable the optimal incorporation of both materials into the element, ensuring suitable conditions. In this design, the geotextile acts as a barrier preventing the leakage of cement slurry from the element into the surrounding soil and, simultaneously, preventing groundwater from mixing with the slurry inside the element.