Application of Improved Vacuum Preloading Method in Tianjin Lingang Industrial Zone

Abstract

To make the soft clay consolidated and shorten the construction periods, vacuum preloading method has been widely used in coastal areas in China. However, the traditional vacuum preloading methods have some shortcomings in the treatment of coastal soft dredger fill. To promote the consolidation process of very soft soils, the traditional technique was improved by using new-type prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) and directly connecting the vacuum tube to PVDs without sand drainage blanket. In this paper, the characteristics of the improved vacuum preloading technique were introduced, and the effectiveness of the new technique in improving the shallow soft soil foundation in Tianjin Lingang industrial zone were illustrated by test results. Results of the case study showed that the improved vacuum preloading method worked well and was more effective than the traditional one. The construction period was shortened and the bearing capacity of foundation soil was higher than that treated by the traditional vacuum preloading method in the same area.