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IS 15284 Part 5 : 2003Code of Practice for Ground Improvement - Vertical Drains and Preloading

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FHWA-NHI-16 · BS EN 1997-1 · BS 8004
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMGeotechnical · Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 15284:2003 Part 5 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for ground improvement - vertical drains and preloading. This code provides guidelines for improving soft, compressible soils by using vertical drains combined with preloading. It covers the design, material selection, installation, and monitoring required to accelerate soil consolidation and increase its strength before construction.

Covers guidelines for the design and construction of vertical drains and preloading 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), USABS EN 1997-1:2004+A1:2013 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization) / BSI (UK)BS 8004:2015+A1:2020 · BSI (British Standards Institution), UKEN 14679:2005 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
Typically used with
IS 269IS 9103IS 456IS 1892
Also on InfraLens for IS 15284
5Key values4Tables4FAQs

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 MaterialsCl. 5Grouting MethodsCl. 6Design Considerations for GroutingCl. 7Grouting ProcedureCl. 8Field Control and Records
Pulled from IS 15284:2003. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
geosyntheticsprefabricated vertical drainssoilsandgeotextiles

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
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
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 CompactionUp 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 BasisMentions 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
Time factor for radial consolidation: Th = (ch * t) / de²
Degree of consolidation (radial): Uh = 1 - exp(-8Th / F(n)) where F(n) is a function of drain spacing and smear effect
Combined degree of consolidation: Uc = 1 - (1 - Uv)(1 - Uh)

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

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 269:2015Ordinary Portland Cement - Specification
→
IS 9103:1999Admixtures for Concrete - Specification
→
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1892:1979Code of practice for site investigations for ...
→

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)

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