Construction unit of soft soil ground treatment
When a structure or embankment is constructed on a site that is
underlain by soft wet soils, the load on the soft soil is initially
partially supported by the in-compressible water in the soil pores.
Over time, the excess pore water pressure dissipates as the water
slowly drains out from under the load. As this occurs, the load is
transferred to the soil, the soil consolidates and settlement
occurs. This process could take years to occur and result in damage
to the structure.
One solution is to compress the soil prior to construction by
placing a temporary fill load on the site. The time required for
this preload to achieve the required compression can be shortened
by installing wick drains. The drains shorten the pore water
drainage path thereby permitting the consolidation to occur in
weeks instead of years.
