Physical modeling of the consolidation of soft soil ground installed with vertical drains or deep cement mixing (DCM) soil columns

Both vertical drains with pre-loading and deep cement mixing method have been widely used to improve soft soil ground. This paper introduces two physical models for studying the consolidation behavior of soft soil ground installed with vertical drains or deep cement mixed soil columns. The setup of the physical models and instrumentation is briefly described. Typical test results are presented and discussed. Attentions are paid to the responses of excess pore water pressures and settlements in loading, unloading and reloading and failure modes. The test results are useful for better understanding the consolidation behavior and failure mechanisms of the soft soils improved using vertical drains and deep cement mixing technology.