CONSOLIDATION OF SOFT CLAYS USING COMPOSITE VERTICAL GEODRAINS THROUGH INWARD RADIAL DRAINAGE

摘要

The paper presents a detail laboratory study of consolidation of soft clays using large size hydraulically pressurized Oedometer through inward radial drainage. The aim of the present work is to study One-dimensional consolidation of soft clay by modeling composite vertical geodrains made from both synthetic and natural materials like coir-jute, polypropylene fibers and sand. The vertical geodrains of 'n' (ratio of sample diameter to drain diameter) equal to 11.04, 16.93 and 21.71 are taken for investigation. The optimacy of 'n' value dictate the economy and the efficiency of the functioning of the drain. Comparison is made to study influence of distinctive material (synthetic and natural) and diameter of vertical geodrains. Time - settlement and Pore pressure dissipation observations were recorded under different magnitude of applied stress for longer duration for all types of drain so as to compute coefficient of consolidation and average degree of consolidation using theoretical solutions developed by the authors. The results show a fair agreement between measured and predicted values for all types of drains. Coir-jute drain of 'n' equal to 11.04 proved to be efficient by accelerating more rate of consolidation, fast dissipation of pore water and higher shear strength at end of consolidation. Overall author's theoretical solution based on lump parameter 'λ' fits well with experimental results onsidering simultaneous effect of various physico-chemical forces and drain characteristics.