Evaluation of smear zone extent surrounding mandrel driven vertical drains using the cavity expansion theory

In this study, an attempt is made to analyze the extent of the smear zone caused by mandrel driven vertical drains, employing the cavity expansion theory for soft clay obeying the modified Cam-clay model. The predictions are verified by large-scale laboratory tests, where the extent of the smear zone was estimated based on the indications, such as the pore pressure generated during mandrel driving, change in lateral permeability, and the water content reduction. This study reveals that the radius of smear zone is about 4 — 6 times the equivalent vertical drain radius, and the lateral permeability (inside the smear zone) is 61 — 92% of that of the outer undisturbed zone. Finally, the predicted size of the smear zone using the undrained cavity expansion solution is incorporated in the finite-element code PLAXIS to study the performance of a test embankment selected from the Sunshine Motorway, Queensland, Australia. A good agreement between the predicted values and field measurements was found.

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