IS 15284 Part 2 : 2003Code of Practice for Ground Improvement - Stone Columns

Q: What is the main purpose of grouting?

Grouting is used to reduce soil/rock permeability, increase its strength and stiffness, or to fill voids. (Clause 1.2)

Q: How do I choose between permeation and compaction grouting?

Permeation grouting fills voids in granular soils without displacement, while compaction grouting densifies loose soils by injecting a stiff grout mass. The choice depends on soil type and project objective. (Table 4)

Q: What is the 'split-spacing' method in grouting?

It's a staged grouting sequence where primary holes are grouted at a wide spacing, followed by secondary holes in between them, and then tertiary holes if needed, to ensure complete and uniform ground treatment. (Clause 7.4)

Q: What is 'refusal' in grouting?

Refusal is the condition where the ground formation stops accepting grout at the specified maximum pressure, indicating that the voids in that zone are effectively filled. (Clause 7.5.3)

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FHWA-NHI-16 · BS EN 1997-1 · BS 8004

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMGeotechnical · Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement

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IS 15284:2003 Part 2 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for ground improvement - stone columns. This code provides guidelines for the design, material selection, construction, and quality control of stone columns used for ground improvement. It covers methods like vibro-replacement to increase bearing capacity, reduce settlement, and accelerate consolidation in weak or soft cohesive soils and loose cohesionless soils.

Covers guidelines for the design and construction of stone columns for ground improvement.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Geotechnical — Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

FHWA-NHI-16-027 · FHWA (Federal Highway Administration), USA BS EN 1997-1:2004+A1:2013 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization) / BSI (UK)BS 8004:2015+A1:2020 · BSI (British Standards Institution), UK EN 14679:2005 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization)

Typically used with

IS 269 IS 9103 IS 456 IS 1892

Also on InfraLens for IS 15284

5Key values 4Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! Verification of ground conditions via boreholes is critical before finalizing the grouting method and parameters.

! Continuous monitoring of grout pressure and volume (grout take) is essential to control the process and avoid ground heave or damage to nearby structures.

! Post-grouting tests, such as permeability tests (e.g., Lugeon test) or in-situ strength tests, are necessary to validate the effectiveness of the ground improvement.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Grouting Materials Cl. 5Grouting Methods Cl. 6Design Considerations for Grouting Cl. 7Grouting Procedure Cl. 8Field Control and Records

stoneaggregategeotextilesand

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

FHWA-NHI-16-027FHWA (Federal Highway Administration), USA

HighCurrent

Ground Improvement Methods Reference Manual - Volume I

Provides a comprehensive overview and selection guidance for a wide range of ground improvement techniques, similar to the IS code's intent.

BS EN 1997-1:2004+A1:2013CEN (European Committee for Standardization) / BSI (UK)

MediumCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 1: General rules

Establishes the design principles for all geotechnical structures, including those involving ground improvement, but is not a selection guide.

BS 8004:2015+A1:2020BSI (British Standards Institution), UK

MediumCurrent

Code of practice for foundations

Covers ground improvement as part of the wider scope of foundation design, providing principles rather than detailed selection matrices.

EN 14679:2005CEN (European Committee for Standardization)

LowCurrent

Execution of special geotechnical works - Deep mixing

This is a detailed execution standard for a *single* technique (deep mixing) which is only one of many options presented in IS 15284.

Key Differences

≠IS 15284 is a single, high-level selection guideline, whereas the European approach is a suite of detailed, separate standards for design (EN 1997) and execution of specific techniques (e.g., EN 12715 for Grouting, EN 14679 for Deep Mixing).

≠The FHWA manual provides significantly more detail on design considerations, cost estimation, and contractual aspects for each technique compared to the brief descriptions in IS 15284.

≠International standards like the Eurocodes place a stronger emphasis on mandatory quality control, verification testing, and performance monitoring with specific criteria, which is only mentioned generally in IS 15284.

≠IS 15284 primarily uses soil grain size charts for applicability, while international guides like the FHWA manual also incorporate other parameters like plasticity, organic content, and in-situ state (e.g., N-value) more explicitly in their selection tables.

Key Similarities

≈All standards fundamentally categorize ground improvement techniques based on the principle of action: densification, consolidation, solidification, reinforcement, etc.

≈The primary basis for initial selection in both IS 15284 and its international counterparts is the soil type and grain size distribution, often presented in similar chart formats.

≈Both the IS code and international guides emphasize matching the technique to the engineering objective, such as increasing bearing capacity, reducing settlement, or mitigating liquefaction.

≈A wide spectrum of common ground improvement methods, including preloading with vertical drains, vibro-compaction, stone columns, grouting, and deep mixing, are covered in both IS 15284 and the comprehensive FHWA manual.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Applicability of Vibro-Compaction (Fines Content)	Suitable for soils with fines content (silt/clay) less than 15-20%.	Most effective in clean sands with fines content < 10-12%; becomes less effective and requires more effort up to 20% fines.	FHWA-NHI-16-027
Applicability of Cement Grouting (Soil Type)	Coarse sand and gravels, fissured/fractured rock.	Soils with permeability k > 10⁻⁵ m/s. For particulate grouts, the groutability ratio (D15_soil / d85_grout) > 25 is a key criterion.	EN 12715:2000
Typical Improvement Depth for Dynamic Compaction	Up to 10 m.	Typically 5 m to 12 m, estimated using formulas like D ≈ 0.5 * sqrt(W*H).	FHWA-NHI-16-027
Applicability of Deep Soil Mixing (Soil Strength)	Applicable for soft clays and silts (no strength value specified).	Generally for soft soils with undrained shear strength (Su) < 75 kPa. Annex A provides detailed applicability ranges.	EN 14679:2005
Applicability of Jet Grouting (Soil Type)	All soils from clay to gravel.	Applicable in nearly all soil types, but the resulting geometry and properties are highly dependent on the soil (e.g., larger, weaker columns in soft clays; smaller, stronger columns in dense sands).	EN 12716:2018
Vertical Drains (PVD) Design Basis	Mentions use for accelerating consolidation but provides no design formula.	Design is based on Barron's theory for radial consolidation. Spacing (typically 1.0m - 2.5m) is a calculated parameter to achieve a target degree of consolidation in a given time.	BS EN 1997-1:2004

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Typical Grout Viscosity (Marsh Cone)35-50 seconds

General Grouting Pressure Limit20-25 kPa per meter of depth (to avoid hydrofracture)

Typical Target Permeability post-grouting< 10^-5 cm/s

Bleeding Limit for Cement Grout< 5% of volume

Max Water Temperature for GroutingNot more than 27 °C

Key Formulas

Settlement Reduction Factor (β) = S_c / S (where S_c is settlement with columns, S is settlement without)

Bearing Capacity Improvement Factor (n) = q_u(c) / q_u(s) (where q_u(c) is ultimate capacity of improved ground, q_u(s) is of unimproved ground)

Stress Concentration Ratio (n_s) = σ'_s / σ'_c (where σ'_s is effective stress in stone column and σ'_c is in surrounding soil)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Requirements for Ordinary Portland Cement for Grouting

Table 2 - Requirements for Bentonite

Table 3 - Permissible Limits for Solids in Water

Table 4 - Applicability of Grouting Techniques based on Soil Grain Size

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Grouting Materials

Clause 5 - Grouting Methods

Clause 6 - Design Considerations for Grouting

Clause 7 - Grouting Procedure

Clause 8 - Field Control and Records

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main purpose of grouting?+

Grouting is used to reduce soil/rock permeability, increase its strength and stiffness, or to fill voids. (Clause 1.2)

How do I choose between permeation and compaction grouting?+

Permeation grouting fills voids in granular soils without displacement, while compaction grouting densifies loose soils by injecting a stiff grout mass. The choice depends on soil type and project objective. (Table 4)

What is the 'split-spacing' method in grouting?+

It's a staged grouting sequence where primary holes are grouted at a wide spacing, followed by secondary holes in between them, and then tertiary holes if needed, to ensure complete and uniform ground treatment. (Clause 7.4)

What is 'refusal' in grouting?+

Refusal is the condition where the ground formation stops accepting grout at the specified maximum pressure, indicating that the voids in that zone are effectively filled. (Clause 7.5.3)

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 15284 Part 2 : 2003Code of Practice for Ground Improvement - Stone Columns

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

FHWA-NHI-16 · BS EN 1997-1 · BS 8004

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMGeotechnical · Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement

PDF Google Compare BIS Portal

Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details

Covers guidelines for the design and construction of stone columns for ground improvement.

Overview

Status: Current
Usage level: Specialized
Domain: Geotechnical — Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement
Type: Code of Practice

International equivalents

Typically used with

IS 269 IS 9103 IS 456 IS 1892

Also on InfraLens for IS 15284

5Key values 4Tables 4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes

! Verification of ground conditions via boreholes is critical before finalizing the grouting method and parameters.

! Continuous monitoring of grout pressure and volume (grout take) is essential to control the process and avoid ground heave or damage to nearby structures.

! Post-grouting tests, such as permeability tests (e.g., Lugeon test) or in-situ strength tests, are necessary to validate the effectiveness of the ground improvement.

Frequently referenced clauses

Cl. 4Grouting Materials Cl. 5Grouting Methods Cl. 6Design Considerations for Grouting Cl. 7Grouting Procedure Cl. 8Field Control and Records

stoneaggregategeotextilesand

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards

FHWA-NHI-16-027FHWA (Federal Highway Administration), USA

HighCurrent

Ground Improvement Methods Reference Manual - Volume I

Provides a comprehensive overview and selection guidance for a wide range of ground improvement techniques, similar to the IS code's intent.

BS EN 1997-1:2004+A1:2013CEN (European Committee for Standardization) / BSI (UK)

MediumCurrent

Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 1: General rules

Establishes the design principles for all geotechnical structures, including those involving ground improvement, but is not a selection guide.

BS 8004:2015+A1:2020BSI (British Standards Institution), UK

MediumCurrent

Code of practice for foundations

Covers ground improvement as part of the wider scope of foundation design, providing principles rather than detailed selection matrices.

EN 14679:2005CEN (European Committee for Standardization)

LowCurrent

Execution of special geotechnical works - Deep mixing

This is a detailed execution standard for a *single* technique (deep mixing) which is only one of many options presented in IS 15284.

Key Differences

≠The FHWA manual provides significantly more detail on design considerations, cost estimation, and contractual aspects for each technique compared to the brief descriptions in IS 15284.

Key Similarities

≈All standards fundamentally categorize ground improvement techniques based on the principle of action: densification, consolidation, solidification, reinforcement, etc.

≈The primary basis for initial selection in both IS 15284 and its international counterparts is the soil type and grain size distribution, often presented in similar chart formats.

≈Both the IS code and international guides emphasize matching the technique to the engineering objective, such as increasing bearing capacity, reducing settlement, or mitigating liquefaction.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	IS Value	International	Source
Applicability of Vibro-Compaction (Fines Content)	Suitable for soils with fines content (silt/clay) less than 15-20%.	Most effective in clean sands with fines content < 10-12%; becomes less effective and requires more effort up to 20% fines.	FHWA-NHI-16-027
Applicability of Cement Grouting (Soil Type)	Coarse sand and gravels, fissured/fractured rock.	Soils with permeability k > 10⁻⁵ m/s. For particulate grouts, the groutability ratio (D15_soil / d85_grout) > 25 is a key criterion.	EN 12715:2000
Typical Improvement Depth for Dynamic Compaction	Up to 10 m.	Typically 5 m to 12 m, estimated using formulas like D ≈ 0.5 * sqrt(W*H).	FHWA-NHI-16-027
Applicability of Deep Soil Mixing (Soil Strength)	Applicable for soft clays and silts (no strength value specified).	Generally for soft soils with undrained shear strength (Su) < 75 kPa. Annex A provides detailed applicability ranges.	EN 14679:2005
Applicability of Jet Grouting (Soil Type)	All soils from clay to gravel.	Applicable in nearly all soil types, but the resulting geometry and properties are highly dependent on the soil (e.g., larger, weaker columns in soft clays; smaller, stronger columns in dense sands).	EN 12716:2018
Vertical Drains (PVD) Design Basis	Mentions use for accelerating consolidation but provides no design formula.	Design is based on Barron's theory for radial consolidation. Spacing (typically 1.0m - 2.5m) is a calculated parameter to achieve a target degree of consolidation in a given time.	BS EN 1997-1:2004

⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values

Typical Grout Viscosity (Marsh Cone)35-50 seconds

General Grouting Pressure Limit20-25 kPa per meter of depth (to avoid hydrofracture)

Typical Target Permeability post-grouting< 10^-5 cm/s

Bleeding Limit for Cement Grout< 5% of volume

Max Water Temperature for GroutingNot more than 27 °C

Key Formulas

Settlement Reduction Factor (β) = S_c / S (where S_c is settlement with columns, S is settlement without)

Bearing Capacity Improvement Factor (n) = q_u(c) / q_u(s) (where q_u(c) is ultimate capacity of improved ground, q_u(s) is of unimproved ground)

Stress Concentration Ratio (n_s) = σ'_s / σ'_c (where σ'_s is effective stress in stone column and σ'_c is in surrounding soil)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables

Table 1 - Requirements for Ordinary Portland Cement for Grouting

Table 2 - Requirements for Bentonite

Table 3 - Permissible Limits for Solids in Water

Table 4 - Applicability of Grouting Techniques based on Soil Grain Size

Key Clauses

Clause 4 - Grouting Materials

Clause 5 - Grouting Methods

Clause 6 - Design Considerations for Grouting

Clause 7 - Grouting Procedure

Clause 8 - Field Control and Records

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main purpose of grouting?+

Grouting is used to reduce soil/rock permeability, increase its strength and stiffness, or to fill voids. (Clause 1.2)

How do I choose between permeation and compaction grouting?+

What is the 'split-spacing' method in grouting?+

What is 'refusal' in grouting?+

Refusal is the condition where the ground formation stops accepting grout at the specified maximum pressure, indicating that the voids in that zone are effectively filled. (Clause 7.5.3)

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋

QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.

Browse all 300 templates →

IS 15284 Part 2 : 2003Code of Practice for Ground Improvement - Stone Columns

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates

IS 15284 Part 2 : 2003Code of Practice for Ground Improvement - Stone Columns

Overview

International Equivalents

Key Values5

Tables & Referenced Sections

Related Resources on InfraLens

Frequently Asked Questions4

QA/QC Inspection Templates