Centrifuge modeling tests on an application of vacuum drainage method to soft marine clay

A series of 2-D centrifuge model tests for the Vacuum Well-Point was performed to explore an application of vacuum drainage method to soft marine clay, the mechanism and prediction of consolidation by using a new testing apparatus developed by authors. This testing system can operate under centrifugal accelerations, simulating the Vacuum Well-Point method as well as Deep Well method. In this series of the centrifuge model tests, marine clayey grounds of Kawasaki marine clay are prepared, are consolidated, subjected to the centrifuge acceleration of 50 g, and then applied with vacuum pressure in various steps. The applied vacuum pressures in vacuum well, the pore water pressures, and the surface settlement at various vacuum pressures, and water content before and after centrifuge model tests were recorded in each model test. The application of vacuum drainage method to soft marine clay was investigated.