2D Plane Strain Modeling of Vacuum-Consolidation with PVD

Abstract

Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs) is one of the most common methods used for improving the engineering properties of soft clayey deposits. These are used to accelerate the consolidation process of treated ground and thereby speed-up the construction activities. Different techniques can be combined with PVDs to augment the efficiency of the method. Application of vacuum is such a technique which in combination with PVDs helps to accelerate the dissipation of excess pore pressure under embankments. This paper presents the equivalent plane strain modeling of the vacuum consolidation combined with PVDs and surcharge loading, using the finite element program ABAQUS. Settlement and excess pore pressures obtained from the analyses were compared with the observed field values as mentioned in the literature. Influence of spacing of the drains on the consolidation behavior is also studied. A comparative study is conducted between the modeling methods proposed by Indraratna and Redana, J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 123(5):474–478 (1997) and Chai et al., J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 127(11):965–972 (2001). Also, the settlement obtained from the equivalent plane analyses is compared with the analytical solution proposed by Hansbo, Ground Eng 12:5 (1979).