Analysis method for consolidation of soil under vacuum preloading assisted by air booster

In this study, using pressurized air to split the soil between a booster tube and a plastic vertical drain (PVD), an air booster is employed to reduce clogging such that the vacuum preloading of the dredged soil is promoted. Under the framework of Hansbo's theory, an analysis method is conducted to understand the consolidation of dredged soil improved by vacuum preloading assisted by an air booster. Both increases in the consolidation stress and permeability of soil are introduced to consider the effect of the air booster on the consolidation of soil. The calculated results are compared with results of existing cases to verify the proposed method. A feasible range of increments for the consolidation stress and permeability of soil is derived from a back fit based on a coincided comparison between the calculated results and monitored data. The proposed method can be employed as a design tool to predict soil consolidation and settlement in geotechnical practice.