Settlement Calculation and Back-Analysis of Soil Properties

Abstract

Application of vacuum assisted preloading is helpful when a considerable load is required to meet the desired rate of settlement and an increase in the undrained shear strength in a relative short time. To facilitate the vacuum propagation, vertical drains are usually employed in conjunction. The installation of vertical drains using a steel mandrel creates significant remoulding of the subsoil surrounding the drains thereby, reducing soil permeability and adversely affecting the soil consolidation process. In this research study, performance of a test embankment on a soft clay ground improved by vacuum combined with PVD and surcharge preloading at the site of Saigon International Terminals Vietnam (SITV) in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province is presented and analyzed. The calculated settlement results are compared with the available observation data. Besides, soil parameters were back– calculated and compared with those obtained from soil investigation.