2021/2022

FOUNDATION
CH(6) Problematic soil
Sand Drains and Wick Drain

(21)
 ‫‪Problematic soil‬‬
‫‪FOUNDATION‬‬
‫‪Sand Drains and Wick‬‬
‫‪Drain‬‬
‫‪Soft clay soils:‬‬
‫يعتبر من أنواع التربة ذات المشاكل والتي يصعب التأسيس عليها نتيجة انخفاض قدرة تحملها وبسبب االنضغاطية العالية‬
‫لها وتكون حبيباتها صغيرة جدا‪.‬‬

‫وللتأسيس عليها هنالك العديد من الحلول ولكننا سوف نركز علي ‪Sand Drains and Wick Drain‬‬

‫‪Sand drains‬‬
‫هي عبارة عن حقن تربة رملية في التربة الطينية الضعيفة علي مسافات معينة وحيث أن التربة الرملية نفاذيتها عالية ف‬
‫تسمح بمرور الماء خاللها وتسحبه من التربة الطينية مما يسرع من عملية ‪ consolidation‬للتربة الطينية ويجعلها تصل‬
‫الي أقصي هبوط في فترة زمنية صغيرة‪.‬‬

‫‪Drains are normally installed in either a square or a triangular pattern‬‬

‫‪where:‬‬

‫‪R = equivalent drain raduis‬‬

‫‪de = equivalent drain diameter‬‬

‫‪de=1.13 S‬‬ ‫‪de=1.06 S‬‬

‫‪P a g e 1 | 10‬‬
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
The typical design parameter for sand drain:
Spacing of sand drains, S = (2 –5)m

Depth of sand drains, H = ( 3 –35 m)

Radius of sand drains well, rw= (0.2 –0.3)m

Thickness of sand blanket = (0.6 –1.0)m

Steps of design:
1-calculate final settlement

𝛿𝑓 = 𝑚𝑣 ∗ 𝐻 ∗ ∆𝜎𝑜

2-calculate verical consolidation

𝐶𝑣 ∗ 𝑡
T𝑣 =
𝑑2
π
Tv = (U𝑣 %)2 if U𝑣 % ≤ 60% or Tv
4
≤ 0.196

Tv = 1.781 – 0.933 log( 100 – U𝑣 % )

if U𝑣 % > 60% or Tv ≥ 0.196

where:

t: ‫الزمن المطلوب حساب التصلد عندة‬ or from chart

d=effective dipth

Cv : coefficient of consolidation ‫معامل التصلد‬

H= ‫سمك طبقة الطين‬

P a g e 2 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
3-calculate radial consolidation
𝐶𝑟 ∗ 𝑡
T𝑟 =
𝑑𝑒 2

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴
T𝑟
𝐴=8∗
𝐹𝑛

𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
𝐹𝑛 = ( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( )
𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

where:
or from chart
𝑑𝑒
n : drainage factor, 𝑛 =
𝑑𝑑

dd= sand drain diameter, de= equivalent drain diameter

de= 1.13 x S (square), de= 1.06 x S (Triangular)

4- calculate combined degree of consolidation

U = 1 − (1 − U𝑣 )(1 − U𝑟 )

5- calculate settlement at time (t)

𝛿𝑡 = 𝛿𝑓 ∗ 𝑈%

P a g e 3 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
Example (1)
It was proposed to construct an embankment over a 12.0m thick clay layer overlying a rock
layer. Sand drain of diameter 0.36 m are installed in clay layer in a square pattern with a
spacing of 3.20m c/c. the clay has Cv=3.50 m2/year, Cr=7.0m2/year and mv=0.21x10-
3m2/Kn. Determine the settlement of clay layer in 6.0month time commencing from middle
of construction project. The mean effective vertical pressure is 90.0kPa.

Sol

1-calculate final settlement

𝛿𝑓 = 𝑚𝑣 ∗ 𝐻 ∗ ∆𝜎𝑜 = 0.21 ∗ 10−3 ∗ 12 ∗ 90 = 226.8 𝑚𝑚

2-calculate verical consolidation

𝐶𝑣 ∗ 𝑡 3.5 ∗ 0.5
T𝑣 = = = 0.0121
𝑑2 122
if U𝑣 % ≤ 60% or Tv ≤ 0.196
π
Tv = (U𝑣 %)2
4
π
0.0121 = (U𝑣 %)2 U𝑣 = 0.1236 = 12.36%
4
3-calculate radial consolidation
𝐶𝑟 ∗ 𝑡 7 ∗ 0.5
T𝑟 = 2 = = 0.27
𝑑𝑒 (1.13 ∗ 3.2)2

𝑑𝑒 1.13 ∗ 3.2
𝑛= = = 10
𝑑𝑑 0.36

𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
𝐹𝑛 = ( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( )
𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

𝐹𝑛 = 1.57

or from chart

P a g e 4 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
T𝑟 0.27
𝐴=8∗ =8∗ = 1.375
𝐹𝑛 1.57

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴 = 1 − 𝑒 −1.375 = 0.75 = 75%

4- calculate combined degree of consolidation

U = 1 − (1 − U𝑣 )(1 − U𝑟 ) = 1 − (1 − 0.1236)(1 − 0.75) = 0.78

5- calculate settlement at time (t)

𝛿𝑡 = 𝛿𝑓 ∗ 𝑈% = 226.8 ∗ 0.78 = 176.8𝑚𝑚

Example (2)
It is planned to construct a multi-story building on soft clay strata with 20.0 m thickness
which overlaying sand layer. The consolidation test on the soft clay sample from the site
show that, Cv=6.0m2/year, Cr=10m2/year, the sand drain diameter is 30cm and arranged on
square pattern in plan. Determine the sand drain spacing to reach 90% degree of
consolidation within 4.0months.

Sol

1-calculate verical consolidation

4
𝐶𝑣 ∗ 𝑡 6 ∗ (12)
T𝑣 = = = 0.02
𝑑2 20 2
(2)

if U𝑣 % ≤ 60% or Tv ≤ 0.196
π
Tv = (U𝑣 %)2
4
π
0.02 = (U𝑣 %)2 U𝑣 = 0.16 = 16%
4
2-calculate radial consolidation

P a g e 5 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
4
10 ∗ (
T𝑟 = 12) T𝑟 =
2.615
(1.13𝑆)2 𝑆2
𝑑𝑒 1.13 ∗ 𝑆 𝑛
𝑛= = 𝑆=
𝑑𝑑 0.3 3.76

𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
𝐹𝑛 = ( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( ) 1
𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

T𝑟
𝐴=8∗
𝐹𝑛

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴

3- calculate combined degree of consolidation

U = 1 − (1 − U𝑣 )(1 − U𝑟 )

0.9 = 1 − (1 − 0.16)(1 − U𝑟 )

U𝑟 = 0.88

‫ نعوض في المعادالت من الخطوة السابقة بالراجع‬-4

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴 0.88 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴 𝐴 = 2.12

T𝑟 9.86 9.86 139.39 2

2.12 = 8 ∗ 𝐹𝑛 = 3.77T 𝑟 = = 𝑛 2 =
𝐹𝑛 𝑆2 ( ) 𝑛2
3.76
From 1,2

139.39 𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
=( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( ) 𝑛 = 9.536
𝑛2 𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

𝑛
𝑆= = 2.55 𝑚
3.76

P a g e 6 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
Another solution for step 4 using chart

U𝑟 = 0.88

2.615 𝑛
T𝑟 = , 𝑆 =
𝑆2 3.76

37
T𝑟 =
𝑛2

n(from chart) Tr (from chart) n(calculated)

5 0.27 11.7
10 0.41 9.5 n(calculated) ~ n(from chart)
40 0.75 7.05
use n =10

𝑛
𝑆= = 2.66 𝑚
3.76

P a g e 7 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain

Wick Drains
OR Prefabricated Vertical Drains
‫ وتستخدم بشكل أوسع نظرا ألنها افضل‬sand drains ‫هي بديل‬
‫اقتصاديا ألنها ارخص في السعر و توفر توصيل أفضل للماء كما انه‬
‫يمكن تركيبها بسهولة‬

‫هي عبارة شريحة تتكون من قلب من البالستيك المرن به ثنايا والتي‬

‫يسمح بالسريان الطولي محاط بنسيج ذو نفاذية عالية يسمح بامتصاص‬
.‫الماء‬

‫ حيث يتم حساب قطر مكافئ لكل شريحة‬،‫ مع اختالف القطر‬sand drains ‫خطوات المسألة هي نفس خطوات‬

2(𝑎 + 𝑏)
d𝑤 =
𝜋

Example (3)
An embankment is to be constructed over a layer of clay 8.0m thick, the clay layer is rest on
a sand bed stratum. The consolidation parameters of the clay layer are Cv=Ch=0.0104m2/day
and Cc=0.28. the wick drains of section (100mmx10mm) are arranged in square pattern with
spacing S. The average degree of consolidation U=90% was achieved at 4.0 months from the
construction of the embankment. Determine the spacing of wick drains.

Sol

2(𝑎 + 𝑏) 2(100 + 10)

d𝑤 = = = 70𝑚𝑚
𝜋 𝜋

P a g e 8 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain

1-calculate verical consolidation

𝐶𝑣 ∗ 𝑡 0.0104 ∗ (4 ∗ 30)
T𝑣 = = = 0.078
𝑑2 8 2
(2)

if U𝑣 % ≤ 60% or Tv ≤ 0.196
π
Tv = (U𝑣 %)2
4
π
0.078 = (U𝑣 %)2 U𝑣 = 0.315 = 31.5%
4
2-calculate radial consolidation
0.0104 ∗ (4 ∗ 30) 0.977
T𝑟 = T𝑟 =
(1.13𝑆)2 𝑆2
𝑑𝑒 1.13 ∗ 𝑆 𝑛
𝑛= = 𝑆=
𝑑𝑤 0.07 16.14

𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
𝐹𝑛 = ( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( ) 1
𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

T𝑟
𝐴=8∗
𝐹𝑛

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴

3- calculate combined degree of consolidation

U = 1 − (1 − U𝑣 )(1 − U𝑟 )

0.9 = 1 − (1 − 0.315)(1 − U𝑟 )

U𝑟 = 0.854

P a g e 9 | 10
 Problematic soil
FOUNDATION
Sand Drains and Wick
Drain
‫ نعوض في المعادالت من الخطوة السابقة بالراجع‬-4

U𝑟 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴 0.854 = 1 − 𝑒 −𝐴 𝐴 = 1.92

T𝑟 4.07 4.07 1060.23 2

1.92 = 8 ∗ 𝐹𝑛 = 4.167T 𝑟 = = 𝑛 2 =
𝐹𝑛 𝑆2 ( ) 𝑛2
16.14
From 1,2

1060.23 𝑛2 3𝑛2 − 1
= ( 2 ∗ ln(𝑛)) − ( ) 𝑛 = 21.378
𝑛2 𝑛 −1 4𝑛2

𝑛
𝑆= = 1.32 𝑚
16.14

P a g e 10 | 10