Wick Drains and the Benefits of Soil Stabilization in Bolivia
Wick drains (prefabricated vertical drains) accelerate preconstruction soil consolidation by providing short drainage paths for pore water to escape. Often installed with a preloading program, wick drains also strengthen weak saturated soils.
Wick drains consist of a band-shaped plastic core wrapped in a nonwoven geotextile fabric. They are installed into compressible saturated soils by static or vibratory methods on triangular and square grid patterns.
Wick Drain Installation Bolivia
The installation of wick drains, also known as prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs), is a valuable way to strengthen saturated soil and accelerate the consolidation process during preconstruction. They are laid with a mandrel, vibratory hammer, or static method and can be used with a preloading program to speed up the consolidation process.
PVDs consist of a flexible core made of polypropylene with grooves that allow water to flow freely. The core is then wrapped with a strong and durable geotextile filter fabric that has excellent filtration properties.
The PVDs are installed by a mandrel, usually attached to an excavator or crane mast, connected at the bottom to an expendable anchor plate. A vibratory hammer or static method is used to insert the mandrel until it reaches the design depth.
Soil Stabilization Contractors Bolivia
Soil stabilization contractors can provide a cost-effective and permanent solution for underperforming subgrades. By using barriers to prevent soil movement, stabilization companies can improve the soil’s stability and productivity.
Soils that have been stabilized are much easier to work with, and their critical water content is reduced. This allows for a stronger working platform and reduces downtime during construction.
Stabilization techniques transform weak, cohesive soils into stable ones by forming permanent pozzolanic reactions. These reactions increase shear strength and overall bearing capacity while decreasing permeability, shrink/swell potential and freeze/thaw resistance.
Soil stabilization involves the addition of lime, ash and other materials to the existing soil in order to increase its load-bearing properties. This process requires a great deal of knowledge about how to properly amend the soil.
Soil Improvement Contractors Bolivia
In Bolivia, deforestation has continued since the 1990s and it appears that the country is now in the descending part of the forest transition curve. This could indicate that a stabilization phase is approaching.
Wick drains are a ground improvement method that minimises bearing capacity failures and settlement during and immediately after a seismic event by alleviating excess pore pressures in soft compressible soils. The wick drains release pore water and reduce the pore pressures that can lead to liquefaction.
When installing wick drains, it is important to consider the heterogeneity of the soil strata. Often, there are not equal volumes of drainage throughout the strata. This may result in differential settlements that will prolong the consolidation process.
Wick Drain Design Bolivia
In order to accelerate the consolidation of soft, saturated soils, wick drains are often used. These prefabricated vertical drains are made of a plastic core encased by geotextile.
They are typically installed by a hollow mandrel attached to an excavator or crane mast, connected at the bottom to an expendable anchor plate. A vibratory hammer or static method is used to insert the mandrel into the ground to the desired design depth.
Once inserted, the mandrel is removed, leaving the wick drain in place. The drain is then cut at the ground surface, a new anchor plate is attached and the mandrel moved to the next location.
This procedure will shorten pore water travel distance, reduce the preloading time and speed up primary settlement. In addition, this method accelerates construction schedules and eliminates weather and subcontractor scheduling problems.