A two-stage combined filtration-consolidation model for slurry ground treated by vacuum preloading

Abstract

The vacuum preloading technique is extensively employed for ground improvement, particularly for slurry ground characterized by high-water content and low strength. Such ground frequently exhibits a delay in pore water pressure dissipation when treated with prefabricated vertical drains. To clarify the drainage and consolidation behaviour of high-water content slurry ground under vacuum preloading, this study proposed a two-stage combined model that integrates both filtration and consolidation processes. Initially, an axisymmetric filtration model was used to describe the formation of the soil column through the radial migration and compaction of the particles. The end-of-filtration radial distributions of void ratio, permeability coefficient, and effective pressure served as initial conditions for the consolidation stage analysis. This stage was depicted using a large strain consolidation model based on the free strain condition. The results showed the necessity of incorporating the filtration stage to capture the overall drainage mechanism and characteristics of slurry ground with vacuum preloading treatment.