Analytical solution and numerical simulation of vacuum consolidation by vertical drains beneath circular embankments

Settlements and Consolidation Rates under Embankments in a Soft Soil with Vertical Drains

In this paper, a study was carried out in order to estimate settlements and consolidation rates under embankments constructed on Moroccan soft soils.  Settlement measurements in several embankments in High Speed Railway project between two Moroccan cities, Tangier and Assilah,  were analyzed. The objective of this study is to estimate settlement values and settlement rates, with sufficient prec...

Effects of partially penetrating prefabricated vertical drains and loading patterns on vacuum consolidation

In this study, numerical modeling of a multi-drain system is employed to determine the optimum penetration depth of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) and the vacuum pressure that provides the maximum consolidation settlement and less lateral displacements. The plane strain analysis using an equivalent permeability with transformed unit cell geometry was considered for varying drain length an...

Analysis of Radial Vacuum-Assisted Consolidation Using 3D Finite Element Method

In this study, a 3D numerical modelling of a single vertical drains consolidation incorporating vacuum preloading considering both vertical and horizontal drainage is presented. The effects of nonlinear soil compressibility, varying permeability and vacuum pressure distribution along the drain are examined through the dissipation of average excess pore pressure and associated settlement. A sele...

Analytical solutions and design curves for vacuum-assisted consolidation with both vertical and horizontal drainage

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Soft Soil Consolidation improved by Prefabricated Vertical Drains

A system of prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) with a surcharge load is an effective method for accelerating soil consolidation by promoting radial flow. This study presents a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model for soft soil improved by a single drain. In the finite element analysis, the actual rectangular PVD cross-section is considered, and the equivalent drain diameter is then bac...