A trustful transition zone for high-speed rail using stone columns

ABSTRACT The high-speed railway projects have encountered several geotechnical challenges. One of the most important challenges is the differential settlement control in transition zones. Cement-treated soil is a common method to prevent the differential settlement at transition zones. An alternative method uses stone columns for controlling the differential settlement in approaching embankment of bridges. In this study, numerical modelling using PLAXIS 2D is selected for the assessment of stone columns in the reduction of total and differential settlements. One of the overpass bridges of the track constructed for the Tehran–Isfahan railway, the first high-speed railway in the country, is chosen as the case study. Three models are created based on the properties of the selected case study. The first one is a typical approaching embankment. The second one is the bridge abutment section, and the last one is a typical reinforced approaching embankment with stone columns.