Uncertainties in Problem of Ground Improvement Using Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD) and Seeking a Cost-Effective Design Applying Monte Carlo Sampling

Author(s):  
Tham Hong Duong ◽  
Kim Truc Do Thi
2013 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Min Zhao ◽  
Wei Ping Cao ◽  
Qi Chao Shi

The rapid development of China’s economics makes it urgent to widen the existing highways especially those located in the south-eastern coastal areas over thick soft soils. Adding a new embankment adjacent to the existing highway embankment is a cost effective choice compared with the traditional methods to build another new one and can reduce the heavy traffic pressure. However, it may also cause some engineering problems including the excessive settlements settlements, road cracks, excessive tensile stresses on the pavement even local or global instability of embankments. So some proper measures should be taken to solve the problems caused by widening is of great importance in engineering practice. A numerical analysis was performed to investigate the effect of different kinds of soft soil treatments including rigid piles, stone columns and prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) usually used in highway widening projects located in the thick soft soils. It was found that the rigid piles can effectively reduce the additional settlements of the existing embankment induced by widening as well as the settlements of the widened embankment. While the stone columns and PVDs play little role in controlling the additional settlements caused by widening.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 310-319
Author(s):  
Nadarasa Kuganeswaran ◽  
Afikah Rahim ◽  
Nazri Ali

Background: Constructing on soft ground is one of the challenges of geotechnical engineering. The unpredictable behaviour and characteristics of soft soil can cause much damage resulting in high maintenance costs in the post-construction phase. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyse the consolidation process and ground improvement method using surcharge and a prefabricated vertical drain by measuring the accuracy of the prediction settlement value with the actual site settlement results. Methods: An effective ground improvement method is the application of a surcharge and prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs). Various methods can be used to predict the settlement effectively, one such method being PLAXIS 3D simulation. A case study on ground improvement works was selected for this research, where PVDs were constructed and implemented at the site. A few undisturbed samples were collected from the site to generate the parameters based on the lab test conducted in the simulation process. This parameter was carefully studied and representing the principal input for the 3D model, which is generated and represents the actual ground improvement method for the selected case study. The analysis was performed using a borehole and soft soil model to generate the diagram. The prediction settlement value was generated from the PLAXIS 3D analysis as the baseline comparing to the actual results. The factors that influence the settlement value, such as the length and spacing of the prefabricated vertical drain, construction method, and soil characteristics, are also discussed. Results: A predicted settlement of 2553 mm was generated by the simulation, while the actual settlement outcome at the site was 2096 mm, a difference of 457 mm, and a prediction accuracy of 82.1%. Conclusion: The study found that the combination of surcharge and prefabricated vertical drain in the ground improvement worked well. Also, discussed were the factors that influenced the accuracy of the prediction and the site results.


2013 ◽  
Vol 405-408 ◽  
pp. 466-469
Author(s):  
Yong Hua Cao ◽  
Jian Yu

A kind of depth-measurable prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) was applied for soft ground improvement in Tianjin, China. Test was conducted to check the effectiveness of impulse method for detection of installation depth of PVD. The PVD were set into two groups in length: 20 m and 8 m. The installation depth of PVD was checked in 24 hours since they were installed. The tests result revealed that the measuring precision of impulse method is fairly good but it can be effect by the installation depth. The measuring precision can be controlled in 2% for most PVD when the installation depth was about 20 m. There is a fall down of precision when the installation depth was about 8 m. There is no need for additional construction measures when the PVD for impulse method are installed. All of the PVD installed can be checked for installation depth easily, so the apparatus and measuring method are good in operability and stability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yue Gui ◽  
Shengjun Liu ◽  
Xiaqiang Qin ◽  
Jianfei Wang

A highway project of up to 100 km/h is currently being constructed between Colombo and Katunayake International Airport across a Sri Lankan muskeg area. At this site, peat deposit was initially 0.8∼15.3 m thick and was underlain by sand, clay, or gneiss. The ground improvement methods adopted in the project were combined drainage consolidation-preloading methods, pipe pile foundation, and geogrids. This paper provides a detailed insight into the implementation of combined drainage consolidation-preloading methods used in the project, including sand pile, gravel pile, and plastic drainage plate as the prefabricated vertical drains. Periodical field-level observations were taken during the ten years, including the construction and postconstruction periods. The results show that peat soils’ consolidation coefficient has been increased several times to tens of times due to ground improvement. After removing the temporary surcharge, the highway embankments did not heave and was followed by long-term settlements totaling 1.3∼7.4 cm over the following seven years of observations. Analysis of the settlement records shows that combined drainage consolidation-preloading methods have helped accelerate drainage consolidation and reduce postconstruction settlement.


2013 ◽  
Vol 405-408 ◽  
pp. 396-401
Author(s):  
Jian Chen ◽  
Qiao Liang Tang ◽  
Shi Jing Liu

The results of experimental research are presented and discussed with focus on the ground improvement effect of slurry with different kinds of vertical drains under new vacuum conditions. In these conditions, horizontal sand cushion, which is requested in regular vacuum preloading method, is cancelled. Vertical drains are connected with sealed pipes, so the vacuum head can be transmitted into vertical drains without decreasing. For the experimental research, slurry taken from reclaimed soil zone is placed into six model casing boxes. Different kinds of vertical drains (prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) and sand drains) are installed into the soil with different spacing (0.4 m and 0.8 m). A vacuum pressure of 80 kPa was applied continuously for 90 days. The effect of filter type of PVD, type of vertical drain and drain spacing under new vacuum preloading condition to slurry soil improvement is examined. Test results show that this new vacuum preloading condition can transmit vacuum head into vertical drains efficiently and the effect of drain filter to slurry improvement is affected by the drain spacing.


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