Predicting bending failure of CDM columns under embankment loading

The mechanism of bending failure and the magnitude of the bending moment in a column formed by cement deep mixing (CDM) under an embankment load were investigated by a series of three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses. Based on the numerical results, a design method to consider the bending failure of the CDM column has been established. The usefulness of the proposed methods was verified using the results of two centrifuge model tests of the embankments on the CDM column improved soft model ground model reported in the literature, and the columns had tensile cracks or showed complete failure.