Tadesse, Samuel (PhD)Abebe, Andinet2018-06-132023-11-112018-06-132023-11-112015-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/664Many soil improvement methods have been developed due to the ongoing increase in urban and industrial growth and the need for greater access to lands. This has made the use of areas with weak soils inevitable. The very low bearing capacity of the foundation bed causes shear failure and excessive settlements. Further, the high water table and limited depth of the top sandy layer in these areas restrict the depth of foundation thereby further reducing the safe bearing capacity. Due to the lack of bearing resistance in these soils, different methods of soil improvement techniques, categorized under Compaction techniques/densification/, Reinforcement techniques, Grouting/mixing techniques, and Drainage techniques including some other innovation of soil improvement techniques as a method of strengthening the weak soil are used. This paper is intended to give the reader a general understanding of each of the techniques, how each improves the soil performance regarding the shear strength, and an overview of how each is analyzed. The purpose is neither to present all the nuances of each technique nor to be a detail design manual. Indeed, entire papers have been tried to addresses different types of method of soil improvement techniques, the applicable soil type, the material and equipment used in the process, procedure and the quality control method which are of practical in the world. In addition, this paper does not address all the safety issues associated with each technique. Many of these techniques have inherent dangers associated with them and should only be performed by trained and experienced specialty contractors with documented safety records.enGeotechnical EngineeringThesis