AUTHOR=Yao Kai , Singh Moirangthem Johnson , Rong Yu , Yao Zhanyong 

TITLE=Optimized T-shaped soil-cement deep mixing column for sustainable ground improvement

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Built Environment

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/built-environment/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1628946

DOI=10.3389/fbuil.2025.1628946

ISSN=2297-3362

ABSTRACT=Since the introduction of Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) technology, it has been widely applied to enhance the strength and stability of problematic soil. Among its advancements, the T-shaped DCM column has emerged as an innovative solution in large-scale infrastructure and urban projects. It offers several benefits, including enhanced bearing capacity while significantly reducing settlement in soft ground. This study focuses on optimizing the T-shaped DCM column while ensuring its mechanical strength remains intact through a comprehensive numerical analysis. This study considers three different column types: the conventional DCM, the T-shaped DCM, and the T-shaped column with varied strength. The analysis reveals that the lower portion of the column plays a less significant role in the overall bearing capacity, indicating potential for optimization that could effectively reduce construction costs for the T-shaped DCM column. It is essential to observe that failures in both the T-shaped and varied-strength columns primarily occur at the head and the uppermost section of the body. Notably, the varied-strength T-shaped DCM exhibits a bearing capacity that is two to three times greater than that of the conventional DCM column. Furthermore, the varied-strength column is distinguished by its notably lower construction costs compared to its counterparts. This design alternative is promising, as it maintains a higher bearing capacity and exhibits reduced settlement compared to the conventional DCM, making it a feasible choice for practical field applications.