A Study on the Drainage Effects of Gravel Drain by Laboratory Model Test

실내모형시험을 통한 Gravel Drain의 배수효과에 관한 연구

Sand drain as a vertical drainage is widely used in soft ground improvement. Recently, sand, the principal source of sand drain, is running out. A laboratory model test was carried out to utilize gravel as a substitute for sand. Though which the characteristics of gravel are compared to those of sand for engineering purpose. Two cylindrical containers for the model test were filled with marine clayey soil from the west coast of Korea with a column in the center, one with sand, the other with gravel. Vibrating wire type piezometers were installed at the distance of 1.0D, 1.5D and 2.0D from the center of the column. D is the diameter of the column. The transient process of pore water pressure with loading and the characteristics of consolidation were studied with the data gained from the measuring instrument place on the surface of the container. The parameter study was performed for the marine clayey soil before and after the test in order to check the effectiveness of the improvement. The clogging effect was checked at various depth in gravel column after the test. According to the test, the settlement was found to be smaller in gravel drain than in sand drain. The increase in bearing capacity by gravel pile explains the result. The clogging effect was not found in gravel column. As a result, it is assumed that gravel is relatively acceptable as a drainage material.