A Case Study on the Application of Gravel Pile in Soft Ground

Gravel Pile의 현장적용을 위한 시험시공 사례연구

Sand drain as a vertical drainage is widely used in soft ground improvement Recently, sand, the principal source of sand drain, is running out. The laboratory model tests were 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. The characteristics of consolidation were studied with data obtained from the measuring instrument place on the surface of the container. The parameter study was performed on the marine clayey soil before and after the test in order to verify the effectiveness of the improvement. The clogging effect was checked at various depth in gravel column after the test. In-situ tests area was divided into two areas by material used. One is Sand Drain(SD) and Sand Compaction Pile(SCP) area, the other is Gravel Drain(GD) and Gravel Compaction Pile(GCP) area. Both areas were monitored to obtain the information on settlement, pore water pressure and bearing capacity by measuring instruments for stage loading caused by embankment. The results of measurements were analyzed. According to the test results, 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. It is assumed that gravel is relatively acceptable as a drainage material. Gravel is considered to be a better material than sand for bearing capacity, and it is found that bearing capacity is larger when gravel is used as a gravel compaction pile than as a gravel drain.