G MS THESIS_final version_Maxim Prokudin.pdf - Digital Repository ...

161CHAPTER 8: FUTURE RESEARCHThe future research will involve continuation of testing of the loess-cement composition pierswithin a group of piers, as well as, an attempt will be made towards modifying thecomposition to avoid development of cracking ad shear planes within top portion of the pier.The test bed and equipment that was designed and constructed can be utilized for load testingin the future. The research can be used in many different applications where specimen is tobe confined in soil and loaded in the vertical direction.Having obtained the stiffer aggregate piers in the lab than in the field suggests that themodification is to be made to the scaling and construction methods.There is a lot of potential for development of new methods of pier construction. The designof beveled heads is one of them and could be subjected to modification.Finally, the tendency for matrix soil cracks to propagate radially away from the constructedpier is of a great interest, where if one understands the way matrix soil behaves when failed,the possible improvement can be made and, therefore, enhancement in the soil-pier systemcan be achieved.