Stochastic Finite Element Analysis for Ground Improvement by Vertical Drains of Spatially Variable Soils

Abstract

A stochastic approach that investigates the effects of soil spatial variability on stabilization of soft clay via prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) is presented and discussed. The approach integrates the local average subdivision of random field theory with the Monte Carlo finite element technique. A special feature of the current study is the investigation of impact of spatial variability of soil permeability and volume compressibility in the smear zone as compared to that of the undisturbed zone, in conjunction with uncoupled 3D finite element analysis. The results of this study indicate that the spatial variability of soil properties has a significant impact on soil consolidation by PVDs; however, it is also found that the spatial variability of soil properties in the smear zone has a dominating impact on soil consolidation by PVDs over that of the undis-turbed zone.