Back-calculation of consolidation parameters from field measurements at a reclamation site

Abstract

A pilot test was carried out at a land reclamation project site to study the effect of vertical drains on the rate of consolidation of a marine clay deposit in Singapore. Theoretical and numerical analyses were conducted to interpret the field measurements of pore pressure and settlement, and consolidation parameters were back-calculated. The back-calculated preconsolidation pressure is similar to that obtained from the laboratory consolidation test on undisturbed samples, but the field-deduced compression index is generally larger than that measured in the laboratory. The coefficient of consolidation back-calculated from the settlement measurement is larger than that from the pore-pressure measurement. The coefficient of consolidation for horizontal flow obtained from the Rowe cell test, which is comparable to that back-calculated from the field settlement measurement, is recommended for the preliminary design of vertical drains without the need of considering the smear effect.Key words: clays, consolidation, ground improvement, numerical modelling and analysis, permeability, vertical drains.