Numerical Study on the Effect of Using Dented Sheet Liner in Pervious Concrete Pile to Improve Soft Soil

Abstract

Use of pervious concrete piles is a ground improvement technique to improve soft soil’s load-bearing capacity by accelerating radial consolidation. With improved stiffness, pervious concrete piles perform well even under the low lateral confining pressure offered by soft clay. Improved stiffness and optimum permeability of pervious concrete piles make them, along with encased stone columns, a thriving solution to improve the soft clay deposit under embankments and other constructions. This study focused on determining the consolidation behavior of soil with pervious concrete piles of improved permeability. To facilitate the study’s objective, an innovative dented sheet liner was introduced in the casting of pervious concrete piles to improve permeability along the surfaces. PLAXIS-3D studied the effect of improved permeability by the liner in settlement performance and pore pressure dissipation. Performance of the pervious concrete pile cast with a liner was compared with a conventional pervious concrete pile and granular column. The study considered parameters such as diameter, length, and spacing. A numerical analysis revealed that improved permeability using a dented sheet liner accelerated the radial consolidation without affecting load-carrying capacity than other drains while maintaining the strength of the pervious concrete cast.