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 and vacuum load. The effects of the vertical drain length and vacuum pressure on soft clay consolidation were examined through time for 90% degree of consolidation, associated settlement and lateral displacement.