Sand Drains  The time factor for radial flow: Tr  cr t  2R 

2
and
1. It consists of a series of vertical sand drains or piles calculate U r .as follows:
of medium to coarse sand.
U r  1  e A where:
2. In general, d w  30 cm and the drains are placed in
8Tr
square grid pattern at distance D  2 to 3 m . A =
Fn
3. Depth of the vertical drains should extend up to the
compressible stratum. n2  3n 2  1 
Fn = ln  n  
4. A horizontal blanket of free draining sand of up to n2  1  4n 2 
1 m thick is placed on the top of the stratum.
n = R rw ; rw is the radius of drain
Installation  Experience suggests that 90% of consolidation can
be achieved in about 4 to 12 weeks with normal
These may be installed by any of the following methods:
sand wick spacing of 1 to 2 m. If U obtained for a
a) Driven or vibratory closed-end mandrel given t is not sufficient then spacing is adjusted.
 A casing or pile of required diameter with the  In case of soil clay where the final settlement is
bottom closed with a loose-fit-cone is driven up high preloading is done in stages.
to the desired depth.
 The cone is slightly separated from the casing by Wick Drains
driving the mandrel into the casing.  Wick drains consist of plastic fluted cores that are
 The sand of required gradation is poured into the surrounded by geotextile filter and have
pile for a short depth and the pipe is pulled up in considerable tensile strength. Wick drains do not
steps. The sand is forced out of the pipe by require sand to transmit flow.
applying pressure on the surface of the sand. This  The drains are of a strip shape and are generally
procedure is repeated till the hole is completely 100 mm wide and 2 to 6 mm thick.
filled with sand.
 2rw  15 to 60 cm , 2R  2D to 8D , maximum Installation
length = 30 m.  Wick drains are installed using a hollow lance. The
 Shear strength of soil is reduced significantly. A wick drain is threaded into a hollow lance, which is
highly disturbed smear zone if formed. pushed or driven through the soil layer which
 Should not be used where sensitivity is more than collapses around it.
4 to 6.  At the ground surface the ends of the wick drain are
b) Jetting with water interconnected by a sand drainage layer or
 2rw  20 to 30 cm geocomposite sheet drain lay
 Installation is complex and requires close
supervision. Advantages
c) Continuous flight auger 1. The analysis if straightforward.
 2rw  30 to 50 cm , 2R  2D to 8D , maximum 2. Tensile strength is definitely afforded to the soil.
length = 35 m. 3. There is minimal resistance to flow of water if it
 Disturbance and smearing of the surrounding clay enters the wick drain.
is intermediate between full displacement and 4. Construction equipment is generally small.
jetted sand drains. 5. Installation is simple and economical.

Design

The design of vertical drain for preloading consists of the

following:

a) Determination of depth and spacing for a given

drain size
b) Determination of rate of loading, stages and pause
period of preload

As per the theory of 3D consolidation:

U  1  1  U z 1  U r  , where:

U = degree of consolidation; r = radial flow; z = vertical

flow

 The time factor for vertical flow: Tv  cv t H 2 and

calculate U z .