Rapid Treatment Using Vacuum-surcharge Preloading with Dynamic Consolidation Method: Laboratory Model Test

This study presents an experimental investigation of reinforcement effect of dredged fill obtained from the Oufei project of Wenzhou, China using improved method of vacuum-surcharge preloading with dynamic consolidation by five parallel laboratory model tests: four model tests with different tamping energy combinations and a control group of vacuum-surcharge preloading method. The water content after treatment of the vacuum-surcharge preloading method was close to the optimal water content obtained from standard compaction test. The treatment of improved method of vacuum-surcharge preloading with dynamic consolidation can improve reinforcement effect and shorten consolidation time. The tests with higher tamping energy have a higher range of improvement. Under the condition of the identical level of tamping energy, compared with the drop height, the weight of hammer plays a greater role in foundation reinforcement, embodying concretely in water discharge, crater depth, and dissipation of pore water pressure, water content, vane shear strength, and porosity. The findings from this study may benefit the engineering application and further research of the combined method.