EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION ON MARSHLAND USING VACUUM CONSOLIDATION TECHNOLOGY

Vacuum consolidation is a soil improvement technique that accelerates construction on soft ground using the action of the atmospheric pressure in combination with a ground pore-pressure relief system. As an alternative to the conventional preloading (physical surge), vacuum assisted consolidation can be used to consolidate soft alluvial soils, to improve bearing capacities prior to construction, and to reduce post-construction settlements. This paper presents case studies of roadway embankments of 3.3 to 7.9 m high on three marshland sites using vacuum consolidation technology. Lack of shear strength of the soil at the project site did not allow construction of embankments without soil improvement. Although the use of conventional wick drains and subsequent application of surcharge was sufficient to solve the consolidation problem in most areas, in some specific areas a different approach was needed because of acute slope instability combined with strict construction schedule requirements. Vacuum consolidation was applied in three sites with recent alluvial clayey soil deposits. In addition, the sub-soil was fully instrumented with a number of pore pressure, multi-point settlement gauges and inclinometers for real-time monitoring of the embankment during construction at the marshland zones. The details of design and site monitoring program along with post-construction performance for three sites are presented here.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0784407444
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  Geo-Institute
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Spaulding, C
  • Porbaha, A
• Conference:
  • Geotechnical Engineering for Transportation Projects, Geo-Trans 2004
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Date: 2004-7-27 to 2004-7-31
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 8 p.
• Serial:
  • ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication
  • Issue Number: 126
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alluvium; Clay soils; Consolidation; Construction; Embankments; Ground pressure; Inclinometers; Marshes; Monitoring; Pore pressure; Real time information; Shear strength; Soil deposits; Soils; Technological innovations; Vacuum; Wick drains
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00988660
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0784407444
• Report/Paper Numbers: Volume II
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 2005 12:00AM