Numerical Simulation of Vacuum Preloading for Chemically Conditioned Municipal Sludge

Municipal sludge is a sedimentation waste produced during the wastewater process in sewage treatment plants.Among recent studies,pilot and field tests showed that chemical conditioning combined with vacuum preloading can effectively treat municipal sludge.To further understand the drainage and consolidation characteristics of the conditioning sludge during vacuum preloading,a large deformation nonlinear numerical simulation model based on the equal strain condition was developed to simulate and analyze the pilot and field tests,whereas the simulation results were not satisfactory.The results of the numerical analysis of the pilot test showed that the predicted consolidation degree was greater than that measured by the field tests,which is attributed to the relatively low permeability layer formed during the preloading process of the prefabricated vertical drain.To better reflect the consolidation process of the conditioned sludge,a simplified analysis method considering the low permeability layer around the prefabricated vertical drain was proposed.The initial permeability coefficient of the low permeability layer is determined via numerical simulations using finite difference method.The predicted settlement curve was in good agreement with the measured results,which indicated that the numerical simulation based on the equal strain condition considering the relatively low permeability layer can better analyze the consolidation process of ferric chloride-conditioning sludge with vacuum preloading.

Analysis of ground deformation development and settlement prediction by air-boosted vacuum preloading

Vacuum preloading has been widely used to improve soft soils in coastal areas of China.An increasing amount of evidence from field operations has shown that conventional vacuum preloading is prone to clogging in prefabricated vertical drains(PVDs)and demands a large volume of sand fills.In recent years,air-boosted vacuum preloading has been developed to overcome these limitations;however,this method still requires more data to verify its performance.In this study,a field test for air-boosted vacuum preloading was conducted,and a large-strain two-dimensional(2D)finite element(FE)model was developed and validated against the field test data.Then,a series of FE parametric analyses was performed to assess key factors,i.e.the air injection pressure,the injection spacing,and the characteristics of cyclic injection,which affect the performance of the air-boosted vacuum preloading.The results showed that the ground settlement and lateral displacement of the soils increased due to an increase in the injection pressure,a decrease in the injection spacing,or increases in the number and duration of the injection cycles.Based on the parametric analyses,an empirical formula for ground settlement prediction was proposed and compared with a case history reported in the literature,showing good agreement.

Laboratory study for effects of vacuum preloading on physical and mechanical properties of soft clayey soils

A new triaxial apparatus was designed and manufactured. It is able to applysurcharge and combined vacuum-surcharge pressures on soil samples, and allows for monitoring ofexcess pore-water pressure, axial strain or settlement, and volumetric strain during the process ofconsolidation. Tests were performed using the apparatus on undisturbed soft clayey soil samples,which were collected from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, at average natural water content 72. 5%. The consolidation behavior of theclay has no rigorous difference, whether it is consolidatedunder the vacuum, surcharge, or combined vacuum-surcharge preloading. The study shows that somephysical properties of the soft clayey soils are changed and mechanical properties are improved tosupport excessive loads transferred to the soil foundation due to construction.

Improvement of silty clay by vacuum preloading incorporated with electroosmotic method

A laboratory test was performed to assess the effectiveness of vacuum preloading incorporated with electroosmotic (EOM) treatment on silty clay (combined method) for reclamation projects like new disposal ponds, where the horizontal electrode configurations beneath the soil layer were possible and the drainage pipes and the prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) system could be easily installed in advance before the sludge dragged from sea bed or river bed was filled into the site. Three groups of tests were conducted on the silty clay from Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China. The model is able to apply vacuum pressure at the bottom of the soil layer and a direct current electric field simultaneously. It is also possible to measure the pore pressures at different depths of soil column, and the changes in settlement and volume with the elapsed time. In this study, the vacuum preloading method, vacuum preloading applied at the bottom (VAB method), was applied and the cathodes were installed beneath the soil layer. The results obtained indicate substantial reduction in water content, and increases in dry density and undrained shear strength in comparison with those obtained by the vacuum preloading only, particularly at the positions close to the anode. The combined method utilizes the vertical drainage flow created by the electroosmosis integrating the horizontal drainage flow created mostly by the vacuum pressure. The total drainage flow can be calculated as a result of the vertical drainage flow by electroosmosis only and the horizontal drainage flow by the vacuum preloading only. The way of placement of the cathode and the anode in the combined method also overcomes the disadvantage of EOM method itself, i.e. the appearance of cracks between the anode and the surrounding soil. Moreover, it is observed that the vacuum preloading plays a primary role in earlier stage in deduction of free pore water; meanwhile, the electroosmotic method is more efficient in later stage for absorbing water in the diffused double layers of soil.

Numerical model of soft ground improvement by vertical drain combined with vacuum preloading

The rapid development of high-speed transportation infrastructure such as highway and high-speed railway has resulted in the advancement of soft soil improvement techniques. Vacuum preloading combined with vertical drains has been proved to be an effective method in the treatment of soft foundation. A three-dimensional numerical analysis of the coupled methods was presented, in which the smear zone and the well resistance were taken into account. The variations of the basic soil parameters including the permeability coefficient and the coefficient of volume compressibility were considered in the numerical model. The result of the numerical model was then compared to the measured value. The results indicate that the decrease of coefficient of volume compressibility accelerates the consolidation of the soil while the influence of hydraulic conductivity is insignificant. A cube drain presents the closest result to the real situation compared to the other equivalent methods of prefabricated vertical drain (PVD). The case study indicates that the numerical model with variation of soil parameters is closer to the measured value than the numerical model without variation of soil parameters.

Simulation Vacuum Preloading Method by Tri-Axial Apparatus

It is very important to control any risk of instability of embankment during vacuum construction, the simulation vacuum preloading method using tri-axial apparatus is proposed to predict the behavior of soft soil improvement in the laboratory, as well as to make this method become familiar and easier in the future. The tri-axial apparatus is used instead of the large-scale one, which has been performed by Bergado (1998) and Indaratna (2008). The tri-axial test on small size specimen can be carried out in one week compared to the large-scale apparatus takes one month for big specimen. In addition, the lateral deformation as well as the shear strength increase with time can determine accurately.

Numerical study of rheologic and soil damage for ground improvement by vacuum preloading

Based on the characteristics and reinforcement mechanism of vacuum preloading applied in high way soft foundation, the theoretical calculation method of vacuum preloading was presented. According to the equivalent method derived from sand drain foundation subjected to plane and axisymmetric conditions, the three dimensional problem was transformed into plane strain problem. The modified Komala-Huang model was used to model the rheological behavior and the damage theory was also introduced to consider the effect of damage caused by construction disturbance. Numerical simulations were carried out for a high way test section. The results show that simulations of the viscoelastic-plastic-damage model are in good agreement with the field measurements. It suggests that the calculation method, simplified load and boundary condition used in this study are reasonable.

Consolidation behavior of Tianjin dredged clay using two air-booster vacuum preloading methods

This paper presents model tests(macro aspect)and microstructure tests(micro aspect)for investigating the consolidation behavior of Tianjin dredged clay using the prefabricated vertical drain air-booster vacuum preloading(PAVP)and tube air-booster vacuum preloading(TAVP)methods.The mechanism of air-booster vacuum preloading(AVP)using a spring-like system is explained.The main difference between these two methods is the air-boosting equipment.A new anticlogging air-booster prefabricated vertical drain(PVD)is used in the PAVP technique and a self-designed air-booster tube is used in the TAVP technique.In the model tests,a comparison of the variables that are monitored during reinforcement(vacuum pressure,surface settlement,water discharge,and pore-water pressure)and after reinforcement(water content,dry density,and vane shear strength)is conducted.The results indicate that the consolidation behavior of Tianjin dredged clay using the PAVP method is better than that using the TAVP method.PAVP more efficiently mitigates the issue of water-draining PVD clogging and significantly accelerates drainage consolidation.In addition,in the microstructure tests,a comparison of the variables that are monitored after reinforcement(via scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP))is conducted,and the results further explain the model test results.

A New Method of Combination of Electroosmosis, Vacuum and Surcharge Preloading for Soft Ground Improvement

As a rapid and effective ground improvement method is urgently required for the booming land reclamation in China＇s coastal area, this study proposes a new combined method of electroosmosis, vacuum preloading and surcharge preloading. A new type of electrical prefabricated vertical drain （ePVD） and a new electroosmotic drainage system are suggested to allow the application of the new method. This combined method is then field-tested and compared with the conventional vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method. The monitoring and foundation test results show that the new method induces a settlement 20% larger than that of the conventional vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method in the same treatment period, and saves approximately half of the treatment time compared with the vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method according to the finite element prediction of the settlement. The proposed method also increases the vane shear strength of the soil significantly. The bearing capacity of the ground improved by use of the new proposed method raises 118%. In comparison, there is only a 75% rise when using the vacuum combined with surcharge preloading method during the same reinforcement period. All results indicate that the proposed combined method is effective and suitable for reinforcing the soft clay ground. Besides, the voltage applied between the anode and cathode increases exponentially versus treatment time when the output current of power supplies is kept constant. Most of the voltage potential in electroosmosis is lost at electrodes, leaving smaller than 50% of the voltage to be effectively transmitted into the soil.

Laboratory model study of newly deposited dredger fills using improved multiple-vacuum preloading technique

Problems continue to be encountered concerning the traditional vacuum preloading method in field during the treatment of newly deposited dredger fills.In this paper,an improved multiple-vacuum preloading method was developed to consolidate newly dredger fills that are hydraulically placed in seawater for land reclamation in Lingang Industrial Zone of Tianjin City,China.With this multiplevacuum preloading method,the newly deposited dredger fills could be treated effectively by adopting a novel moisture separator and a rapid improvement technique without sand cushion.A series of model tests was conducted in the laboratory for comparing the results from the multiple-vacuum preloading method and the traditional one.Ten piezometers and settlement plates were installed to measure the variations in excess pore water pressures and moisture content,and vane shear strength was measured at different positions.The testing results indicate that water dischargeetime curves obtained by the traditional vacuum preloading method can be divided into three phases:rapid growth phase,slow growth phase,and steady phase.According to the process of fluid flow concentrated along tiny ripples and building of larger channels inside soils during the whole vacuum loading process,the fluctuations of pore water pressure during each loading step are divided into three phases:steady phase,rapid dissipation phase,and slow dissipation phase.An optimal loading pattern which could have a best treatment effect was proposed for calculating the water discharge and pore water pressure of soil using the improved multiple-vacuum preloading method.For the newly deposited dredger fills at Lingang Industrial Zone of Tianjin City,the best loading step was 20 kPa and the loading of 40-50 k Pa produced the highest drainage consolidation.The measured moisture content and vane shear strength were discussed in terms of the effect of reinforcement,both of which indicate that the multiple-vacuum preloading method has a better treatment effect not only in decreasing the moisture content and increasing the bearing capacity,but also in increasing the process uniformity at different depths of foundation.

Vacuum preloading combined electroosmotic strengthening of ultra-soft soil

To assess the effectiveness of vacuum preloading combined electroosmotic strengthening of ultra-soft soil and study the mechanism of the process, a comprehensive experimental investigation was performed. A laboratory test cell was designed and applied to evaluate the vacuum preloading combined electroosmosis. Several factors were taken into consideration, including the directions of the electroosmotic current and water induced by vacuum preloading and the replenishment of groundwater from the surrounding area. The results indicate that electroosmosis together with vacuum preloading improve the soil strength greatly, with an increase of approximately 60%, and reduce the water content of the soil on the basis of consolidation of vacuum preloading, howeve~ further settlement is not obvious with only 1.7 mm. The reinforcement effect of vacuum preloading combined electroosmosis is better than that of electroosmosis after vacuum preloading. Elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence proves that the soil strengthening during electroosmotic period in this work is mainly caused by electroosmosis-induced electrochemical reactions, the concentrations of Al2O3 in the VPCEO region increase by 2.2%, 1.5%, and 0.9% at the anode, the midpoint between the electrodes, and the cathode, respectively.

Rigorous Axially Symmetric Consolidation Solution of Vacuum Combined Linear Loading Surcharge Preloading

Vacuum combined surcharge preloading is an effective method which has been used in ground treatment. This study presents the analytical solution of vertical drains with vacuum combined surcharge preloading. The surcharge was considered to be time-dependent preloading due to its reflection of the real situation.Moreover,the free strain,instead of equal strain hypothesis of the surface,was adopted for the mathematical rigor. Both vertical and horizontal drainages,along with the well resistance were considered.Besides,the time-dependent surcharge preloading was resolved with the impulse theorem which has been presented in the study,and the solutions for pore water pressure and degree of consolidation were derived by applying the approach of separation of variables.Furthermore,the solution is compared with previous solutions and numerical solutions,and the results verify the correctness of the proposed model.

SEMI-ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR VACUUM PRELOADING OF A FOUNDATION WITH SAND DRAIN

This paper presents the consolidation analysis of a foundation (Lianyungang City)with sand drain by vacuum priloading, and the calculation of excess pore pressure with anapproximate analytic method and displacement with a numerical technique. This semi-analytical method takes in account the mutual effects of 3-dimensional consolidation, soilvisco-elasticity and sand drain group. The calculation is simple. The results have been checkedfairly well with field measurements.

水平联合竖直排水板真空预压处理工程废浆试验研究

传统真空预压法(VP)在加固工程废浆时存在预制竖向排水板(PVD)易淤堵、周围土体形成土柱以及真空度随深度衰减等问题,考虑到预制水平排水板(PHD)在真空预压法处理软土地基中的特点,提出一种水平联合竖直排水板真空预压(PHD-PVD-VP)处理工程废浆的方法。通过4组大型室内模型试验,对工程废浆加固过程中的排水、沉降以及孔隙水压力进行监测,并借助扫描电镜得到的排水板滤膜微观图片,分析不同初始PHD真空压力下PHD-PVD-VP对工程废浆的加固效果。试验结果表明,PHD-PVD-VP处理工程废浆时减少了土颗粒径向移动速率,延缓“土柱”的形成及缓解土颗粒嵌入排水板滤膜的淤堵效应,提升了土体整体固结效果;40 kPa的初始PHD真空压力使PHD-PVD-VP对工程废浆的排水固结效果最佳,处理后土体的平均含水率和十字板剪切强度分别为40.9%和25.5 kPa,有效地缓解了PHD和PVD的淤堵并改善了土体固结的均匀性。通过微观结构分析发现,PHD初始真空压力的大小同时影响着PHD与PVD滤膜的淤堵情况,从而影响其排水性能,40 kPa的初始PHD真空压力使得两种排水板的排水性能都得到充分发挥。

等应变条件下增压式真空预压固结解析解

从注气增压对土体作用效果的角度出发,建立增压式真空预压固结解析理论模型。提出基于注气增压压力等效的受力简化模型;引入新参数——径向渗透系数增大系数η,反映注气过程对土体渗透性质的改变。根据Barron等应变假定和达西定律,考虑排水板涂抹效应与井阻作用、土体径-竖向渗流以及上部堆载,推导增压式真空预压固结控制方程及其解析解,并利用弹性力学方法推导等效注气增压压力p(t)的计算公式。针对瞬时增压和线性增压两种特例给出具体解析解公式,并通过与工程案例对比分析,验证了解析解及等效力计算方法的合理性。通过对固结性状的分析得出如下结论:注气增压方法可增大土体负孔隙水压力值,加速土体排水固结;“参数η”对固结速率的影响较大,分析模型中考虑注气过程对径向渗透系数的改变会更加合理;井阻作用会导致土体固结速率减慢,径-竖向渗流时孔压能够消散完成,而只有径向渗流时孔压无法消散完成。

真空预载型多孔质空气静压轴承的静动态特性分析

为进一步提高轴承刚度,将真空预加载技术与多孔质空气静压轴承相结合,使轴承在没有额外预加载导轨的情况下获得双向刚度。探讨工作条件和结构参数对真空预载型多孔质空气静压轴承性能的影响,基于计算流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)方法对其静动态特性进行了数值分析。深入研究了供气压力、真空度、渗透率、真空抽气口直径、扰动幅度和扰动频率等因素对轴承性能的影响。结果表明,相比于一般多孔质空气静压轴承,真空预载型多孔质空气静压轴承的刚度提高了22.34%;工作条件和结构参数对其静态和动态特性有显著影响。该研究结果对高刚度空气静压轴承的性能研究和优化设计具有一定的指导意义。

真空预压联合碱渣处理疏浚淤泥加固效果及机理

真空预压技术广泛应用于因疏浚形成的大面积淤泥地基,为了改善传统真空预压加固效果,基于绿色低碳和快速环保的加固理念,提出了真空预压联合碱渣处理疏浚淤泥地基方法。通过开展室内真空预压模型试验和微观测试,探讨分析了碱渣联合真空预压法的加固效果及机理。研究结果表明:与常规真空预压法相比,碱渣联合真空预压法处理疏浚淤泥地基的加固效果得到大幅度提升,其中排水量、表层沉降量提升幅度达20%左右,加固后土体的含水率从90%降低34.9%,十字板剪切强度最大提高1.33倍。通过SEM电镜扫描试验及压汞试验,分析加固完成后土体的微观形态及孔径变化,发现碱渣可促进颗粒聚集团聚,使土中细颗粒含量降低。碱渣和黏土矿物之间可发生强烈的水化反应,生成水化硅酸钙、水化铝酸钙等产物,增大土体胶结作用。本研究为改进真空预压方法的技术发展及碱渣高效利用提供了理论依据。

孟加拉滨海相复杂互层地基真空预压加固特性研究

针对孟加拉国某港口工程真空预压加固中遇到的透水性较差的黏土层和透水性较好的砂土层反复交互出现,可能存在边界透水透气、地基固结规律复杂难以预测、地基加固效果难以预测等问题。依托工程的试验区块及典型施工区块,研究黏土搅拌桩的密封墙密封效果、透水层对固结速度理论计算的影响、复杂互层场地加固后的物理力学特性改变等。主要采用试验检测和试验实测数据与理论计算数据对比分析的方法,对表层沉降-时程曲线、孔隙水压力消散曲线、加固前后的SPT指标、压缩性指标等比较研究。结果表明:黏土密封墙在粉砂地层具有良好的适应性,透水性砂层的存在对于实际场地固结的影响远小于理论或者理想边界条件下的试验,真空预压对于复杂互层地基具有较好的加固效果等。对于在复杂互层地基上的真空预压法加固设计具有一定的参考意义。

正反向排水板真空预压法在地基处理工程中的应用

目前真空预压法加固软土地基中排水板负压源通常位于顶部,由于真空度沿竖向的衰减,普通真空预压对深层土体的加固效果较差。为此提出了正反向排水板相结合的排水方式,正向排水板的负压源在排水板顶部,反向排水板的负压源在排水板的底部。将正反向排水板结合真空预压应用于温州某地基处理工程中,对地表沉降、真空度、孔隙水压力等指标的监测结果显示,平均固结度达到93.1%。相同工况下正反向排水板结合真空预压数值模拟得到的地表沉降大于正向排水板结合真空预压得到的地表沉降,增长率达到12.9%;相同工况下正反向排水板结合真空预压数值模拟得到的孔隙水压力在3~10 m范围内的消散情况明显优于正向排水板结合真空预压,地基加固效果更好。正反向排水板结合真空预压方法值得在工程中进一步推广应用。

真空预压与真空井点降水用于软土处理的机理差异

真空预压与真空井点降水两种工艺均可用于软土地基处理,表观上两者都是通过抽真空使土体内孔隙水排出并使软土沉降,但目前对两者的工艺和机理等关键差异的认识不深入,难以有效指导现场施工。真空预压和真空井点降水在抽真空设备、竖向排水通道和密封边界等设备与工艺方面有显著差异;两者的的排水机理也有着本质区别。真空预压的加固机理是负压作用下土体发生塑料排水板水平向排水固结,同时塑料排水板内的水向上流动与重力无关;真空井点降水的加固机理是群井抽水引起地下水位降低,土体的浮重度变为湿重度导致荷载增大使土体沉降,同时井点管内的水向上流动受重力影响。在工艺和机理的差异分析的基础上,进一步明确了真空预压和真空井点降水在10个关键方面的差异,包括加固机理、影响深度、不同深度的真空传播、土体水平变形、竖向排水与重力的关系、抽真空位置影响、与外界是否连通、影响区成因、地下水位变化、是否形成非饱和带。