Field Test and Numerical Studies on Influences of PVD Spacing on Vacuum Treatment Effects of Dredged Slurry

A field test was conducted on vacuum treatment effects of a dredged slurry ground considering three PVD spacing, i.e., 700, 800, and 900 mm. The settlement and the pore water pressure dissipation were measured during the treatment period. As expected, the consolidation rate associated with closer PVD spacing case is higher than that of the larger spacing case. However, it is observed that the final and stable values of the settlement and the pore pressure dissipation of the close spacing case (e.g., 700 mm) are about 17% higher than the case of larger PVD spacing (e.g., 900 mm). The differences imply that enlarging the PVD spacing not only impedes the consolidation rate but also decreases the vacuum pressure in slurry. Numerical models incorporating the vacuum pressure attenuation effect and the clogging effect were established to reproduce the vacuum treatment process under the three PVD spacing. Good comparisons between the numerical and test results can be obtained given a proper account of vacuum attenuation and the clogging effect along the PVD depth. The comparison clarifies that, for vacuum treatment of slurry ground, the PVD spacing should be determined by due considerations both on the desired consolidation rate and on the pore water pressure that needs to be dissipated.

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