A CASE STUDY ON RECTIFICATION OF DAMAGED STRUCTURES ON

EXPANSIVE SOIL DEPOSITS

J.M. Kate
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
New Delhi – 110016, India.

ABSTRACT

During the year 1995, at Anta (India) gas power project township a large number of structures, which were constructed 4 to 6 years
back started exhibiting damages of varying degree. From the nature and pattern of damages it appeared to be typical of distress due to
expansive soil deposits underneath. In order to assess/investigate the causes for damages and suggest remedial measures, boreholes
were drilled at suitable locations and soil samples were collected from different depths. Free swell index, percentage swell, swelling
pressure and other relevant characteristics of soil samples were determined.

The corrective measures suggested to salvage/rectify the distressed structures were treatment of expansive soil through lime slurry
pressure injection (LSPI) process. In addition to LSPI, to maintain moisture equilibrium within the soil beneath the structure, plinth
protection apron alongwith low density polyethylene film laid beneath and concrete curtain wall were constructed all around the
structures. Post treatment performance of these structures was monitored. All these rectified/renovated structures are under
observations since last eleven years and until this date exhibit satisfactory performance. The details of this case study are presented
and discussed in the present article.

INTRODUCTION This article presents the details of case study regarding

rectification of damaged structures on expansive soil deposit
The expansive soil deposits are considered to be highly at Anta (Rajasthan State, India). The problem faced at the gas
problematic especially for foundations of civil engineering power project township at Anta during 1995 was that, a large
structures. The seasonal moisture fluctuations in these soils number of structures, which were constructed just about 4 to 6
cause alternate swelling and shrinking resulting into up and years earlier, started exhibiting damages of varying degree.
down movements of foundations leading to structural The concerned authority referred this problem to author for
damages. The annual monetary loss due to such damages to suggestions and recommendations to salvage/rectify these
all types of civil engineering structures the world over is distressed structures. It was noticed during inspection that the
estimated to be several billion US $, which far exceeds the nature and pattern of damages clearly represented typical of
loss due to natural calamity/disaster. distress due to presence of expansive soil deposits underneath.
The methodology of approach to investigation, tests conducted
Amongst very few techniques/processes available for remedial measures and their implementation and other
salvage/rectification of damaged structures on expansive soils, relevant aspects are presented and discussed in the subsequent
experience have shown that the lime slurry pressure injection sections.
(LSPI) is one, which is most practicable, economical and
effective. It is desirable to provide moisture barrier to protect
the zone of lime treated soil against the movement of free OVERVIEW
water as it would loose the strength on saturation due to
leaching of lime. Another equally important aspect to Expansive Soils and Structural Damages
salvage/safeguard such structures is to maintain moisture
equilibrium beneath and around the foundation within the Serious problems posed by expansive soils to civil engineering
influence zone in expansive soil. The construction of plinth structures are well realized by engineers and researchers the
protection apron and curtain wall all around damaged world over. Expansive soils when come in contact with water
structures serve not only as moisture barrier but also help in swell considerably, exert swelling pressure and exhibit low
maintaining moisture equilibrium beneath the structure. shear strength. When the moisture is dried up in hot season,
these soils shrink and give high shear strength.

Paper No. 7.12a 1

The swell/shrink phenomena is attributed predominantly to the PROBLEM AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES
presence of montmorillonite clay minerals in these soils.
Anta Gas Power Project (ANGPP) township, where the
The seasonal moisture variations in expansive soil deposits structures were exhibiting distress had been visited during
around and beneath the structure lead to alternate upward August, 1995. The objectives of this site visit were to assess
(wet/rainy season) and downward (hot/summer season) the nature of problem through spot inspection of structural
movements of structures leading to damages of varying damages, discuss foundation details and other relevant aspects
degrees. The damages generally noticed in the buildings are in with the concerned engineers and to indentify the locations,
the form of distortions in the floor (inverted dish shaped due to where from the soil samples at different depths could be
moisture concentration with time in the centre), crackings in collected for proposed testing in the laboratory. It was noticed
the walls (diagonal cracks extending upwards from doors and during inspection that, the nature and extent of damages to the
window seals), breaking of joints between structural members, structures such as residential buildings, trainee’s hostel, school
etc. building, etc. were varying from light to extensive type. Some
of the extensively damaged structures particularly Trainee’s
Lime Treatment hostel, Central school, etc. showed very wide cracks ranging
from 12 to 25 mm width in the walls (exterior as well as
The most common and widely accepted method to control interior) extending diagonally from floor level to ceiling with
swelling and improve the strength of expansive soil is heavy distortions in the floor. The distorted floor(s) formed a
stabilization using lime additive. Lime stabilization has been pattern similar to inverted dish having maximum heaving in
acknowledged as an effective and economical method for the centre and minimum at the edges in contact with walls.
improving the behavior of expansive clay soils. The addition Some of the heavily distressed residential buildings gave a
of lime, quicklime (CaO) or hydrated lime [Ca (OH)2] to look and feeling that those were really unsafe for the
expansive soil has stabilizing effect, which reduces swelling & occupants to live there any longer. From the nature and pattern
swelling pressure and improves strength. Such behavior of of damages it appeared to be typical of distress due to
treated soil may be attributed to (i) Cation exchange, (ii) expansive soil deposites underneath.
Flocculation, (iii) Carbonation and (iv) Pozzolanic reactions.
Generally, cation exchange takes place by initial addition of 1- The informations emerged out from the detailed discussions
2% of lime (by dry weight of soil), further addition of lime is with concerned engineers, spot inspection of structures with
responsible for pozzolanic activity. The amount of lime and without damages, study of available site investigation
required to stabilize expansive soil ranges from 2 to 7% report as well as foundation drawings and design criteria
depending upon swelling potential and quality of lime. adopted are as follow. The report of site investigation, which
was carried out around 6 years back (prior to the construction
Lime Slurry Pressure Injection of structure in ANGPP township), indicated presence of
subsurface stratum of expansive nature in this area. Aware of
The foundation of damaged building can be treated by a this fact, the engineers designed the foundations of various
process known as Lime Slurry Pressure Injection (LSPI). The structures by adopting suitable methods, which are commonly
technique comprises of injecting lime-water slurry under high practiced for foundations on expansive soil deposits (Kate et
pressure within the zone of influence in expansive soil mass al., 2004 ). They adopted conventional method such as sand
through pre-drilled holes (deeper than foundation level) all cushion for relatively small size and less important structures,
around and inside the distressed building. The reaction of innovative techniques such as Cohesive Non-swelling Soil
lime-water slurry with expansive soil results into stable (CNS) layer (Katti, 1979) mostly for industrial structures and
material within the zone of influence that transmits less under-reamed pile foundations mostly for residential
movement to the structure. The technique has been tried buildings, depending upon sub-surface soil conditions (depth
successfully at a number of places in India (Sargunan et al., to constant volume zone, thickness of expansive soil stratum,
1980; Karandikar, 1995) to salvage the distressed buildings in etc.). Most of the structures thus constructed were light (single
expansive soil deposits. Generally the holes of 5 cm to 10 cm storeyed) to moderately loaded structures (four storeyed).
dia. are drilled using augers upto the depth much deeper than
foundation level so as to penetrate into constant volume zone It was understood through discussions and also noticed during
(Kate and Katti, 1982). The spacing of these holes can range inspection that the structures, wherein CNS layer method was
from 0.5 m to 2.5 m depending upon soil characteristics and adopted for foundations were free of any such damages and
nature of damages. The lime slurry is prepared fresh using safe. Whereas, the structures with other types of foundations
water to lime ratio of 10:1 to 10:3 by weight based on quality e.g. sand cushion, under-reamed piles were showing distress.
of lime and swelling characteristics of expansive soils. The During the inspection, the locations of proposed boreholes for
grouting pressure to inject lime slurry will depend on several soil sampling were identified. These were in the vicinity of
factors e.g. in-situ (unit weights and moisture) conditions of structures exhibiting damages of varying degrees. Figure 1
soil, depth of bore holes, lime slurry viscosity, grout shows these locations from 1 to 6 identified for this purpose in
placement method, etc.. The general rule, which suggest adopt phase-I of ANGPP township map. These locations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
high pressure that is safe, is equally applicable in this case and 6 are in the vicinity of damaged structures in localities
also. named as ABB colony, Central school, Quarter C-119,

Paper No. 7.12a 2

Trainee’s Hostel, C-Type Quarters and D-Type Quarters (shale) as shown in Fig. 2. The report also points out that both
respectively. Amongst these, Trainee’s Hostel was the one, the grey soil forming the top layer and the yellow soil beneath
which suffered most heavy damages, whereas are of swelling type. Based on this, for the present
D-type Quarters were amongst lightly damaged structure. investigation boreholes were drilled to such a depth so as to
penetrate into both these soil layers at each location.

Fig. 2. Generalised subsurface profile representing the area.

In-situ Properties
Fig. 1. Locations of boreholes for soil sampling.
The results of tests conducted on soil samples (undisturbed as
well as representative) collected during drilling of boreholes at
At these locations, during September 1995 boreholes of 15 selected locations (Fig.1) are presented in Table 1. The values
cm diameter were drilled to a maximum depth of 2.50 metre of moisture content (w) observed during September in this
using auger. The exploratory depths of these bore holes were area in general, range from a minimum of 17.6 % to a
decided on the basis of generalised subsurface profile of the maximum of 24.1 %, which gives degree of saturation in the
area, which is discussed in the subsequent section. range of 92 % to 96 % indicating considerably wet soils. It is
Undisturbed soil samples were obtained from the depths of worth mentioning here that, in this particular zone of
0.75, 1.50, 2.25 and 2.50 metres below ground level (GL) in Rajasthan state there are frequent rains during September. The
sampling tubes (around 10.5 cm internal diameter and 30 cm study of the available records of seasonal moisture changes in
length). Representative soil samples in substantial quantity this area revealed that during summer (hot) season, the soils
from various depths were also collected during augering from ground level to a depth of around 2 metres become
operations. almost dry and shrinkage cracks are visible on the ground
surface. All these observations clearly indicated that this area
is prone to considerable seasonal moisture fluctuations.
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
As seen from Table 1, in-situ total unit weight ( γ t ) range
Generalised Subsurface Profile
from 19.1 to 21.3 kN/m3 in top grey soil stratum and from
Generalised subsurface profile of the area was prepared by 20.4 to 21.5 kN/m3 in the yellow soil layer. The in-situ dry
synthesis and compilation of available data from the site unit weights ( γ d ) range from 15.5 to 17.7 kN/m3 in top grey
investigation report and other reliable sources. Figure 2 soil stratum and from 17.3 to 18.3 kN/m3 in the yellow soil
illustrates such a generalised subsurface profile, which
represents almost all the zones/areas where these (distressed) layer beneath. In general, it is seen that, γd increases with
structures were constructed. The top soil stratum comprises of depth at these locations.
grey coloured silty clay varying in thickness from 1.75 m to
2.8 m. It is underlained by yellow coloured silty clay Free Swell Index
extending down to a depth from 1.75 m to around 9 m below
ground level. Below this yellow silty clay, there is a layer of In order to get preliminary idea about the swelling nature of
yellow soil, which exhibits presence of small size lime these soils, Free Swell Index (FSI) tests were conducted on the
nodules. This yellow soil is underlain by disintegrated rock soil samples thus collected from different depths. Free swell

Paper No. 7.12a 3

index (the ratio of change in volume of soil in swollen state in Engineering Properties and Shear Strength Parameters
distilled water to its original volume in kerosene oil, expressed
as a percentage of latter) of soil samples were determined by The engineering properties and shear strength parameters of
following the procedure as per Indian Standard (IS 2720, part soils 1 A, 1 C and 4 C are provided in Table 2. Clay (< 0.002
40, 1977, reaffirmed 1997). mm) content, which plays a significant role in imparting
swelling nature to soils are 39%, 44% and 48% whereas, the
colloidal clay (< 0.001 mm) content are 27%, 29% and 33%
Table 1. In-situ Properties and Free Swell Index of Soils for soils 1 A, 1 C and 4 C repectively. Soil 4 C exhibits
highest values of liquid limit, followed by 1 C and the lowest
Sample Location w Unit Weight FSI by 1 A. Both the soils 1 C and 4 C have shrinkage limit of 9%
(%) (kN/m )
3 (%) whereas, it is 12% for soil 1 A. All the three soils are
classified as CH i.e. Inorganic clays of high plasticity (fat
Locality No. Depth γt γd clays) on A line chart. All the above properties are indicative
below
GL of expansive nature of these soils and are consistent with
(m) respective free swell indices.
ABB 1A 0.75 22.7 19.7 16.0 57
Colony 1B 1.50 23.6 20.0 16.2 45
Table 2. Engineering Properties and Shear Strength
1C 2.25 18.2 20.9 17.7 65
Parameters of Soils
Central 2A 0.75 22.9 19.8 16.1 36
School 2B 1.50 23.4 20.3 16.5 44 Property Soils
2C 2.25 19.2 21.0 17.6 62 1A 1C 4C
Colour Dark Grey Yellow
Quarter 3A 0.75 22.8 20.5 16.7 44 Grey
C-119 3B 1.50 22.5 20.2 16.5 33 Specific gravity 2.65 2.66 2.63
3C 2.25 18.5 20.9 17.6 48
3D 2.50 17.6 21.5 18.3 54 Grain size distribution
(a) Clay
Trainee’s 4A 0.75 24.1 19.5 15.7 35 (< 0.002 mm), % 44 48
39
Hostel 4B 1.50 23.9 20.4 16.5 46 (< 0.001 mm), %
4C 2.25 18.0 20.4 17.3 70 27 29 33
(b) Silt
(0.002 to 0.075 mm), % 49 43 41
C-Type 5A 0.75 23.3 19.2 15.6 40 (c) Sand
Quarters 5B 1.50 24.0 19.9 16.0 57 (0.075 to 4.75 mm), % 9 11 9
5C 2.25 20.4 21.3 17.7 55 (d) Gravel
5D 2.50 20.7 20.8 17.2 60 ( > 4.75 mm), %
3 2 2
D-Type 6A 0.75 23.6 19.1 15.5 50 Atterberg Limits
Quarters 6B 1.50 23.4 20.4 16.5 50 (a) Liquid limit (%) 55 64 66
6C 2.25 21.1 20.9 17.3 53 (b) Plastic limit (%) 26 25 29
(c) Plasticity Index (%) 29 39 37
(d) Shirnkage limit (%) 12 9 9
Classification
The values of FSI given in Table 1 range from 33% to 57% for ( A Line chart ) CH CH CH
top grey soil layer indicating in general, that this soil layer Standard Proctor Test
possesses moderate swelling potential. Yellow soil layer 3
(a) MDD (kN/m ) 16.8 16.7 16.4
exhibits a range of FSI from 53% to 70% displaying moderate
(b) OMC (%) 17.0 17.5 18.0
to high swelling potential. Interestingly, the nature of
structural damages noticed at various locations corroborate
Shear Parameters*
well with the FSI values of soils at these locations e.g. the
(a) + c u (kN/m2 ) 65 72 75
structural damages at Trainee’s hostel were severe and the
(b) ** c uu (kN/m2 ) 55 61 65
corresponding soil samples exhibit maximum value of FSI of
70%. Based on FSI, typical soil samples selected for detailed (c) ** φ uu (degree) 7 5 6
investigations were 1 A and 1 C from ABB colony and 4 C
from Trainee’s hostel locality. The soil sample 1 A represents
*
At in-situ γd and full saturation
+
the top grey soil layer with maximum FSI of 57% whereas, 1 From unconfined compression test
**
C and 4 C represent yellow soil layer at two locality each with From unconsolidated undrained triaxial test
maximum FSI of 65% and 70% respectively.

Paper No. 7.12a 4

The comparison of values of maximum dry density (MDD) stress of 5 kPa was allowed to compress under a number of
and optimum moisture content (OMC) determined through successive stress increments, each stress increment being
Standard Proctor Compaction test with in-situ γ d and w maintained constant until the compression virtually ceases
(generally, 24 hours). The maximum swell under each applied
(Table 1) indicates that the deeper soils (1 C and 4 C) exhibit stress was obtained by deducing corresponding compression
higher in–situ γd than MDD whereas, near surface soils from the maximum swell recorded at 5 kPa seating stress. The
exhibit lower γd than MDD. In-situ moisture content is
process of loading the specimen with stress increments
continued until it showed net compression instead of swell.
significantly higher than their OMC for these soils. The swelling pressure at constant volume (which corresponds
to magnitude of applied stress at zero percent swell ) was
The shear strength parameters of these soils were determined determined from the plot of maximum percent swell versus
by remolding soil specimens at in-situ γ d and full saturation. applied stress (on log 10 scale).
The values of undrained cohesion (cu) obtained from The values of maximum percentage swell and swelling
unconfined compression test are 65, 72 and 75 kN/m2 for soils pressure of soils thus determined without and with lime
1 A, 1 C and 4 C respectively. The results of unconsolidated additive are presented in Table 3.
undrained triaxial shear test provided the values of cohesion
(cuu) and angle of internal friction ( φ uu) of the order of 55, 61
and 65 kN/m2 and 70, 50 and 60 respectively by soils 1 A, 1 C Table 3. Maximum percent Swell and Swelling pressure of
and 4 C. Undrained cohesion values exhibited by these soils soils without and with lime additive
are very low in fully saturated condition.
Soil Item Placement Condition

SWELL AND SWELLING PRESSURE BEHAVIOR UD+ Remolded*

The percent swell and swelling pressure tests were conducted 1A Lime (%) - - 2.0 3.0 -
on soils 1 A, 1 C and 4 C with and without lime additive under Swelling 65 210 130 23 -
two different placement conditions. These are (i) undisturbed Pressure
soil sample at in-situ γd and moisture content and (ii) soil (kN/m2)
sample remolded at initial compaction unit weight Swell (%) 1.5 5.1 2.1 0.65 -
corresponding to in-situ γd and zero moisture content
1C Lime (%) - - 2.0 3.0 4.0
(completely dry). Later placement condition was chosen to
understand the magnitude of swelling pressure under Swelling 80 270 156 52 6.3
simulated seasonal moisture fluctuations in the field i.e. from Pressure
completely dry during summer and at or near full saturation in (kN/m2)
rainy season. In view of possible use of lime for treatment of Swell (%) 1.9 7.6 3.1 0.97 0.03
soils, study was conducted to assess its influence on the
swelling and swelling pressure behavior of soils. The lime 4C Lime (%) - - 2.0 3.0 4.0
used was powdered good quality hydraulic lime with CaO of
around 70%. The percentages of lime additive in remolded Swelling 85 290 170 65 13
soil samples thus studied were 2%, 3% and 4%. Pressure
(kN/m2)
The percent swell and swelling pressure tests were conducted Swell (%) 2.1 9.2 3.7 1.2 0.05
on soils/ soil lime mixes remolded at initial in-situ dry unit
weight and zero moisture content by adopting oedometer
+
Undisturbed sample at in-situ γd and w.
method and procedure similar to that suggested in *
Compacted at in-situ γ d and dry (w = 0 %).
International TC-6 Standard (TC-6, 1993). These soils /mixes
were remolded in oedometer ring of internal diameter and
The remolded soil samples as compared to undisturbed
thickness of 60.5 mm and 20.5 mm respectively. These
samples exhibit considerably higher values of both the
specimens were allowed to saturate fully under the applied
expansive characteristics demonstrating mostly the influence
external seating stress of 5 kPa during which observations of
of initial moisture content on percentage swell and swelling
swell with time were recorded. The values of maximum
pressure. It may be noted that the degree of saturations
percent swell for each soil and soil treated with various
corresponding to initial moisture contents are > 92 % and 0 %
percentages of lime have been determined from the plots of
for undisturbed and remolded samples respectively. It is seen
swell with time.
that both maximum percent swell and swelling pressure are in
increasing order of soils 1 A, 1 C and 4 C. Addition of lime
In order to determine swelling pressure, the following
significantly reduces expansive characteristics of these soils.
procedure was adopted. The test specimen saturated at seating

Paper No. 7.12a 5

With increase in percentage of lime additive, the swelling structure was common for all the four categories of damages.
pressure of soils decreases. Addition of 4 % of lime to soil 4 C The schematic arrangement of such injection holes are
brings down swelling pressure from high value of 290 kN/m2 illustrated in Fig. 3 (a to d) for structures with different degree
to a negligible 13 kN/m2 . Thus, these results are supportive of of distress.
use of lime for treating these soils to reduce their deleterious
effect considerably.

REMEDIAL MEASURES

On the basis of study conducted and discussed in earlier

sections, the remedial/corrective measures recommended to
salvage/rectify the distressed structures were two stage
operations. The first stage comprised of application of lime
slurry pressure injection and second stage was construction of
precast concrete (PCC) plinth protection apron with LDPE
black film embedded beneath and curtain wall.

Classification of Damages

In order to adopt suitable pattern of injection holes for LSPI

application, the damaged buildings depending upon the
seriousness of their distress have been broadly categorized as
A,B,C and D with the following descriptions.

Category A – Lightly damaged: Minor cracks on the walls

extending to short lengths with no visible damage to the
floors.

Category B – Moderately damaged: Fairly wide cracks on the

walls extending to considerable lengths, with or without
visible/minor damage to the floors. One side of the building
exhibiting light damage whereas, other side showing moderate
to heavy damage.

Category C – Heavily damaged: Very wide cracks in the walls

everywhere extending to considerable lengths and heights with
visible damages and distortions in the floors.
Fig. 3. Schematic arrangement of injection holes for various
Category D – Extensively damaged: The distress is category of damages.
widespread throughout the building as evidenced through
severe horizontal, vertical and diagonal cracks in the walls
extending from floor to ceiling level, heavy crackings in joints The side(s) of building which exhibit(s) more damage in case
of structural members, sinking and considerable distortions in of Category B, additional holes were drilled inside the
the floors. building on damaged side by removing floor slab and the line
of such holes kept as close as possible to the inner edge of the
Slurry Injection Holes footing/under-ream bulb (Fig. 3,b). Similar lines of interior
holes were drilled inside the entire building for both the
Auger holes of 50 mm dia. spaced between 0.5 m to 1.0 m category C and D buildings (Fig. 3, c and d). In addition, for
were drilled all around the damaged structures following a category D, such injection holes were drilled in the central
pattern based on their shape, size and extent of damages. portion encompassing the damaged floor area (Fig. 3,d).
These holes were drilled to substantial depth ensuring
penetration down into constant volume zone or at least to a Lime Slurry Injection
depth of 1 m below the base of existing footing/under-ream
bulb. The preliminary estimate indicated the depth of constant The lime slurry was prepared fresh using good quality
volume zone to be around 1.7 m within yellow soil below its unslaked hydraulic lime with water to lime ratio of 8:1 by
surface. The line of such holes was kept as close to the outer weight. This slurry was injected into pre-drilled holes by
edge of footing/under-ream bulb as practicable. This adopting initially a pressure of around 50 kN/m2 per metre of
arrangement of drilling exterior injection holes all around the soil overburden. It may be noted that, the injection pressure

Paper No. 7.12a 6

required in expansive soils is considerably higher than for The LDPE black film was suitably embedded into the ground
ordinary clays under similar conditions. Depending upon beneath apron and extended down along with concrete curtain
requirement, pressure was further increased taking into wall to its full depth. The curtain wall, which serves as lateral
consideration volume of slurry intake and effectiveness of moisture barrier preventing direct entry of outside moisture
injection/grouting operation established through certain field within influence zone in the vicinity of footing. It is desirable
trials. For higher pressures continuous monitoring of ground to extend the curtain wall as deep as practicable. The plinth
upheaval was done and care was taken to see that in no case it protection apron, LDPE black film together with concrete
exceeds 5 mm. curtain wall maintains equilibrium moisture contents in
expansive soils within influence zone beneath the building.
The injection of lime slurry was carried out as full depth The LDPE black film not only helps in controlling the
grouting starting from the bottom of injection hole (using moisture migration but also prevent the underneath soil from
packer or suitable placement method) and working upwards drying by not allowing the penetration of ultra-violet rays.
until refusal. For the present grout hole geometry and soil Proper sealing between apron, LDPE black film and curtain
conditions, the effective radial (lateral zone of influence) wall is required to prevent any leakage of water.
outward penetration of lime slurry required was around 30 cm
(for 50 cm spacing) and 55 cm (for 1 metre spacing) for each
grout hole so as to ensure overlap. POST TREATMENT PERFORMANCE OF STRUCTURES

The sequence of grouting adopted was such that sufficient After completing treatment and other operations (LSPI, plinth
time was allowed for lime slurry to permeate into the protection apron, etc.) for all the damaged buildings, the
surrounding soil, diffuse and set/react before the adjacent cracks on the walls were suitably patched up/plugged/repaired
holes are grouted. In order to achieve this, after grouting a in the usual way for face lift/new look purpose. This was done
particular hole the distant hole was grouted next by skipping for all the buildings except for typical four, each one
the adjacent/intermittent holes and the process was repeated representing category A,B,C and D damages, which were left
until all the holes were grouted. After completing the injection as it is for monitoring the post treatment performance. The
process, the holes were filled up with the lime slurry and floor slabs were repaired wherever possible or completely
plugged with soil. replaced by new one especially for extensively damaged
structures.
Plinth Protection Apron and Curtain Wall
The movement (settlement/heave) of structures, cracks (their
The precast concrete plinth protection apron of at least 2 m sizes and patterns) and certain other features relevant to
width alongwith 300 micron thick low density polyethylene damages were under observations (through instrumentation,
(LDPE) black film (impervious geomembrane) laid beneath direct measurements, sketches of patterns and visual
was constructed all around the building. At the periphery of inspection) for two complete cycles of seasonal moisture
apron, concrete curtain wall of 15 cm width extending down to variations i.e. during winter, summer, rainy season and repeat
at least 1.75 m below plinth level was constructed. Figure 4 cycle. The observations of structural movements recorded
illustrates typical arrangement of plinth protection apron, during first cycle of seasonal moisture variations showed
LDPE black film and curtain wall alongwith the footing. almost no movement by category A structure. Whereas, heave
in the range of 3 to 7 mm was shown by category B,C & D
structures with D category showing the maximum heave.
During second cycle, the magnitude of heave reduced to 1 to 3
mm. None of the structures exhibited any settlement during
this period. In general, it was noticed during this period that
the cracks remained stable without any further deterioration.
Interestingly, in some cases even the closing of cracks and
vanishing were also recorded. All these rectified/renovated
structures are under observations since last eleven years and
until this date are exhibiting satisfactory performance.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

In the present case study, the treatment of expansive soils

underneath the damaged structures for their rectification was
carried out as two stage operations to ensure complete safety
Fig. 4. Typical arrangement of apron, LDPE film and curtain and has eventually proved to be successful. The first stage
wall alongwith footing. operation, LSPI process resulted into converting expansive
soils within the zone of influence into a stable material to
significant depth. The second stage operation involving

Paper No. 7.12a 7

construction of plinth protection apron, laying down LDPE
black film and curtain walls all together controlled moisture
migration and helped maintaining equilibrium moisture in
soils beneath the structures. Both these operations were
equally important and formed most essential components for
remedial measures, and to prevent damages to the structure on
long term considerations.

REFERENCES

IS:2720, Part 40 [1977, reaffirmed 1997], “Determination of

Free Swelling Index of Soils”, Bureau of Indian Standards,
Manak Bhavan, New Delhi, pp. 1-5.

Karandikar, D.V. [1995], “Treatment of heavily damaged

buildings on deep seated expansive soils at Sevagram using
LSPI technique”, Consultancy Report by Karandikar and
Associate Consulting Engineers, Bombay, pp. 1-7.

Kate, J.M. [1996], “Recommendations and Guidelines for the

new construction of structures and suggestions of remedial
measures for rectification of damaged structures on expansive
soil deposits at Anta Gas Power Project site of NTPC”,
Consultancy Report for National Thermal Power Corporation
Ltd., New Delhi, pp. 1-49.

Kate, J.M. and R.K. Katti [1982], “Field Studies on the

Behaviour of Expansive Soil Deposits Covered with Cohesive
Non-swelling Soil Layer”, Journal of the Institution of
Engineers (India), Vol. 62, pt. CI-5, pp. 271-276.

Kate, J.M., N. Mendhe and Ziauddin [2004], “An appraisal of

various Foundation Techniques on Expansive Soils through
Critical Review”, Proc. National Conf. on Recent advances in
Civil Engineering (CUSAT), Cochin (India), Vol. I, pp. 243-
252.

Katti, R.K. [1979], “Search for solutions to problems in black

cotton soils”, Indian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 9, No.1, pp.
1-82.

TC-6 [1993], “Evaluation of swelling pressure and

corresponding heave of expansive soils in laboratory by
constructing swell percentage versus applied total stress
diagram”, Report of Technical Committee (ISSMGE) on
expansive soils, CBIP, New Delhi, pp. 1-26.

Sargunan A., A. Subramanian and Neelkantan [1980],

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Proc. Indian Geotechnical Conference, GEOTECH-80,
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Paper No. 7.12a 8