Natural prefabricated vertical drains-structure and geo-hydraulic properties

Over the past decades synthetic prefabricated vertical drains (SPVDs) have been used in many regions around the world to accelerate the consolidation of soil, but because these synthetic polymeric materials last for decades, they are now seen as having adverse effects on the natural environment. Natural prefabricated vertical drains (NPVDs) on the other hand, which are made from agriculture products such as jute, coir, and straw can discharge excess pore pressure effectively and they are also environmentally friendly thanks to their biodegradability. This paper outlines the fundamental characteristics of prefabricated vertical jute drains (PVJDs) such as their structure, tensile strength, and discharge capacity, because they are currently considered to be one of the most common types of NPVDs.