Recent Developments in the Vacuum Preloading Technique in China

Abstract

A series of studies have confirmed that vacuum preloading can effectively accelerate the consolidation process of soft soil. In recent years, further improvement in the efficiency of this method is still the continuing goal of scholars. This paper reviews the recent improvements in the vacuum preloading techniques as well as their practical applications in China. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. It is found that replacing or eliminating one or more components of the vacuum preloading system, such as sand-free, membrane-free, horizontal drain, multiple-step, and air booster vacuum preloading methods, achieved similar soil improvement effects to those of the traditional vacuum preloading method. Vacuum preloading combined with other soil improvement methods could improve the soil with the lower average water content and the higher average shear strength.