1813A Vibro Stone Columns for Ground Improvement — 2025 California Building Code

This section shall apply to vibro stone columns (VSCs) for ground improvement using unbounded aggregate materials. Vibro stone column provisions in this section are intended to increase bearing capacity, reduce settlements and mitigate liquefaction for shallow foundations. These requirements shall not be used for grouted or bonded stone columns, ground improvement for deep founda- tion elements or changing site class. VSCs shall not be considered a deep foundation element. Ground improvement shall be installed under the entire building/structure footprint and not under isolated foundation elements only. Design, construction, testing and inspec- tion shall satisfy the requirements of this code except as modified in Sections 1813A.2 through 1813A.5.

The geotechnical report shall specify vibro stone column requirements to ensure uniformity in total and differential immediate settlement, long term settlement and earthquake induced settlement. 1. Soil compaction shall be in accordance with California Geological Survey (CGS) Special Publication 117A (SP-117A): Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazard in California. 2. Area replacement ratio for the compaction elements and the basis of its determination shall be explained. Minimum factor of safety for soil compaction shall be in accordance with SP-117A. 3. Depth of soil compaction elements and extent beyond the footprint of structures/foundation shall be defined. Extent beyond the foundation shall be half the depth of the VSCs with a minimum of 10 ft or an approved alternative. 4. Minimum diameter and maximum spacing of soil compaction elements shall be specified. VSCs shall not be less than 2 feet in diameter, and center to center spacing shall not exceed 8 feet. 5. The modulus of subgrade reactions for shallow foundations shall account for the presence of compaction elements. 6. The modulus of subgrade reactions, long-term settlement and post-earthquake settlement shall be specified along with expected total and differential settlements for design. 7. The acceptance criteria for Friction Cone and Piezocone Penetration Testing in accordance with ASTM D5778 complemented by the standard penetration test (SPT) in accordance with ASTM D1586, if necessary, to verify soil improvement shall be specified. 8. The requirements for special inspection and observation by the geotechnical engineer shall be specified. 9. A final verified report (FVR) documenting the installation of the ground improvement system and confirming that the ground improvement acceptance criteria have been met shall be prepared by the geotechnical engineer and submitted to the enforce- ment agency for review and approval.

VSCs under the shallow foundation shall be located symmetrically around the centroid of the footing or load.

1. There shall be a minimum of four stone columns under each isolated or continuous/combined footing or approved equivalent. 2. The VSCs shall not be used to resist tension or overturning uplift from the shallow foundations. 3. The foundation design for the shallow foundation shall consider the increased vertical stiffness of the VSCs as point supports for analysis, unless it is substantiated that the installation of the VSCs result in improvement of the surrounding soils such that the modulus of subgrade reaction, long term settlement and post-earthquake settlement can be considered uniform throughout.

VSCs shall be installed with vibratory probes. Vertical columns of compacted unbounded aggregate shall be formed through the soils to be improved by adding gravel near the tip of the vibrator and progressively raising and repenetrating the vibrator which will results in the gravel being pushed into the surrounding soil. Gravel aggregate for VSCs shall be well graded with a maximum size of 6 inches and not more than 10 percent smaller than 3/8 inch after compaction.

Construction documents for VSCs, as a minimum, shall include the following: 1. Size, depth and location of VSCs. 2. Extent of soil improvements along with building/structure foundation outlines. 3. Field verification requirements and acceptance criteria using CPT/SPT. 4. The locations where CPT/SPT shall be performed. 5. The testing, inspection and observation (TIO) program shall indicate the inspection and observation required for the VSCs. 6. A note indicating foundation construction shall not commence until the final verified report specified in Section 1813A.2 Item 9 has been submitted to and approved by the enforcement agency.

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CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 19 – CONCRETE

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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