ABSTRACT
Preloading consolidation with vertical drains is an essential geotechnical engineering technique that improves soft soil deposits. This method involves adding a surcharge load to the ground surface and constructing vertical drains, improving pore water expulsion and consolidation rates. According to the existing literature, no design curves have been offered for nonlinear consolidation, in which permeability and volume compressibility alter throughout consolidation. This paper gives design curves for determining center-to-center spacing between vertical drains using empirical relationships, laboratory test data, and theoretical models. Additionally, the study offers design steps, based on existing laboratory test data, and the comparison of the projected outcome via the generated design charts shows a significant resemblance to the drain spacing used in the available laboratory data.
