IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004

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Indian Standard

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR GROUND

IMPROVEMENT GUIDELINES
PART 2 PRECONSOLIDATION

USING VERTICAL

DRAINS

ICS 93.020

0 BIS 2004

BUREAU
MANAK

August 2004

OF

IN DIAN

STANDARDS

BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG

NEW DELHI 110002
Price Group

Soil and Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee, CED 43

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard (Part 2) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the
Soil and Foundation Engineering Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division
Council.
Whenever soft cohesive soil strata underlying a structure are unable to meet the basic requirements of safe
bearing capacity and tolerable settlement, ground improvement is adopted to make it suitable for supporting
the proposed structure. Both the design requirements that is shear stmgth and settlement under loading, can
be fulfilled by consolidating the soil by applying a preload, if necessary, before the construction of the
foundation. This consolidation of soil is normally accelerated with the use of vertical drains.
This standard or ground improvement has been published in two parts. The other part in this series is:
Part 1 Stone columns
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2:1960 Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised). The number of significant places retained in
the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

II

..-

IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004

Indian Standard

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR GROUND

IMPROVEMENT GUIDELINES
PART 2 PRECONSOLIDATION

USING VERTICAL

33 Sensitivity of Clay The ratio of unconfined

compressive strength of clay at its natural state to the
remoulded condition.

1 SCOPE
This standard (Part 2) covers the guidelines for design
and construction of vertical drains used for improving
the ground such that the consolidation under preload
is accelerated resulting in improvement of ground to
carry envisaged loads.

3.6 Smear Zone The disturbed area radially

outside the perimeter of a hole, caused due to driving
or boring process.

2 REFERENCE

4 NECESSARY INFORMATION

The standard given below contains provisions which,

through reference in this text, constitute provision of
this standard. At the time of publication the edition
indicated was valid, All standards are subject to
revision and parties to agreements based on this
standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent edition of the standard
indicated below:

4.1 For the satisfactory design and installation of

vertical drains with or without preloading, the
following information is necessary.
4.1.1 Site investigation data as laid down in IS 1892
and/or any other relevant Indian Standard. Sections of
trial boring, supplemented where appropriate by
penetration test and other in-situ tests including soil
parameters obtained from laboratory tests sufficiently
up to the firm stratum to obtain data/inforrnation below
the soft soil requiring improvement. The nature of soil
should be indicated on the basis of appropriate tests
for index properties, shear strengths compressibility
and in-situ permeability. Ground water level and its
conditions (such as artesian condition) should also be
incorporated.

Title

IS No.
1892:1979

DRAINS

Code of practice for subsurface investigations for foundations (/irst

revision)

3 TERMINOLOGY
For the purpose of this standard the following
definitions shall apply;

4.1.2 The general layout of the structure showing the

proposed foundation system.

3.1 Displacement/Non-displacement
Type of
Installation Process If the soil is laterally pushed
or shifted while making the hole (for example, driving
tube/casings) it is displacement type of boring. In
other case when the soil is taken out during boring to
make the hole it is non-displacement
type of
installation process.

4.1.3 Loading pattern and intensity as determined

from structural analysis.
5 TYPE OF DRAINS
5.1 Sand Drains

3.2 Ground Improvement To improve the load

bearing capacity and settlement potential of the loose
or soft soil lying close to the surface or at depths by
some possible and practicable methods.

These may be installed by any of the following

methods:
a) Driven or vibratory closed-end mandrel;
b) Jetting with wate~ and
c) Continuous flight auger.

3.3 Mandrel The tube (casing) used for installing

vertical drains.

The first method is dkplacement type and the other

two are non-displacement type; Comparison of
different methods is given in Table 1.

3.4 Preeonsolidation Compressor (consolidation)

of soft to very soft clay under an imposed load to
improve the load carrying capacity.

IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004

Table 1 Comparison of Different Sand Drain Installation Techniques
(Clause 5.1)
SI

Technique

No.
(1)

(2)

i) Driven or vibratory
closed end mandrel
ii) Continuous
auger

flight

iii) Jetted

Range

Limitations

Remark
(5)

(3)

(4)

Diameter 15 to 60 cm Spacing
2 to 8 m times diameter,
maximum length 30 m

Shear strength of subsoil is

reduced temporarily. A highly
disturbed smear zone is formed

Diameter 30 to 50 cm, Spacing

2 to 8 m, maximum length 35 m

Disturbance and smearing of the

surroundingclay is intermediate
between full displacement and
jetted sand drains

Diameter 20 to 30 cm

Installation technique is quite

complex and requires close
supervision

5.2 Prefabricated Drains

6.2 The depth of vertical drains for a given soil profile

are so determined that the drains extend through the
most significant compressible strata that account for
the major consolidation settlement during preloading.

The prefabricated drains can be of two types;

a)
b)

Sand wicks, and

Band shaped drains.

6.3 In general, preloadhtg is done by an applied

pressure, which is nearly equal to the foundation
loading. However, depending on the soil strength and
the magnitude of required load, preloading may be
done in stages allowing at least 90 percent
consolidation under each stage of loading.

5.2.1 Sand wicks are made by filling preformed pipes

of HDPE or other woven permeable fabric, including
natural fabric with sand and stitching along the sides
and the ends. The material to be used for vertical
drains should be well graded coarse to medium sand
or any other suitably graded material with
permeability in the range of 10-3 to 10-1 crnk. The
prepared sand wick shall be saturated by keeping it
in a water vat. After driving the mandrel to the
specified depth the flexible sand wick is inserted in the
tube and the tube is withdrawn.

6.4 At each stage of preload the degree

consolidation achieved by radial and vertical dr?
is determined. Improvement of shear strenp
evaluated and considered to determine the
of the next stage of preload. The stabilir
of loading is examined by finding tlv
against possible slip or bearing r
factor of safety of 1.25 is consid
preload stage.

5.2.2 A mandrel is often pushed into the soil along

with the prefabricated drain with the help of a
hydraulic power and pulley system. Anchor plates are
generally used for installation of band-shaped drains.
The strip drain is made with a central core having
typical groves, studs or channels for water transport.
During installation, the anchor plate ensures that the
bottom of the band-shaped drain is taken up to desired
depth.

6.5 As per theory of thre

u = 1 (1u,)
where
U=dey
d
u,

6 DESIGN
6.1 The design of vertical drain for preloading
consists of the following:
a)

b)

Should not be used where

clay sensitivity is more than
4t06

,.

u,

UZand Ur.
for vertical am.

Determination of the depth and spacing for a

given drain size based on the soil properties
and stratification. Normally the drains are arranged in equilateral triangular or square grids,
and
Determination of the rate of loading, stages
and pause period of preload without causing
plastic flow or any detrimental effect on the
ground based on the soil properties, stratification and topography of adjoining ground.

6.5.1 The time fact.

r vertical flow:
TV+

where
C, = coefficient of consolidation for vertical
flow,
t
= time elapsed since application of a preload,
and
L

7
IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004
H

= thickness of consolidating layer depending

on one way or two way drainage (this

depends on presence of drainage layer if
any at bottom of treated soil since drainage
blanket is essential at ground level).

For given value of C,, t and R, T, can be calculated.

Now U, = 1 e-A
where
A

For given value of C,, t and H, T, can be computed,

and corresponding Uz can be obtained (see Fig. 1 and
Table 2).

8 T,

Fn

where
F.

6.5.2 The time factor for radial flow:

t12

= loge
n21

T,==

(2R)2

where
C, = coefficient of consolidation for radial flow,
and
2R = well spacing, (see Fig. 2).

3n21

4n2

= ~, rw being the radius of drain

The relationship between U~ and Tv for different

values on n is given in the Table 3.

m
r

U=
U4*(0.Z.

u=u,
CASE 1

(a) CONSTANT

FIG.

(b) LINEAR
VARIATION

Zf+-z
~

H)

(H<z<W)

CASE 2

CASE 3

CASE 4

HALF SINE
CURVE

FULL SINE
CURVE

TRIANGULAR
INCREASE AND
DECREASE

1 FOUR CASESOF INITIAL EXCESSPORE PRESSUREDISTRIBUTIONWITH DOUBLE DRAINAGE

IS 15284 (Part 2) :2004

Table 2 Values of U. for Various Valuea of TV
(Clame 6.5.1)
S1 No.

U %(PercentageConsolidation)
A

T,

/
(1)

Case 1

case2

case 3

case4

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)
0.85

(2)

i)
ii)

0.004

07.35

6.49

0.98

0.008

10.38

8.62

1.95

1.62

iii)

0.012

12.48

10.49

2.92

2.41

iv)

0.020

15.98

13.67

4.81

4.00

v)
vi)

0.028

18.89

16.38

6.67

5.60

0.036

21.41

18.76

8.50

7.20

vii)

0.048

24.64

21.%

11,17

9.50

viii)

0.060

27.64

24.81

13.76

11.98

ix)

0.072

30.28

27.43

16.28

14.36

x)
xi)

0.083

32.33

29.67

18.52

16.46

0.100

35.62

32.88

21.87

19.76

xii)

0.125

39.89

36.54

26.54

24.42

xiii)

0.150

43.70

41.12

30.93

28.86

xiv)

0.175

47.18

44.73

3507

33.06

xv)

0.200

50.41

48,09

38.95

37.04

xvi)

0.250

56.22

54.17

46.03

44.32

xvii)

0.300

61.32

59.50

52.30

50.32

xviii)

0.350

65.82

64.21

57.83

56.49

ixx)

0.40

69.73

68.36

62.73

61.54

xx)

0.50

76.40

76.28

70.88

69.94

xxi)

0.60

81.56

80.69

77.25

76.52

xxii)

0.70

85.59

84.91

82.22

81.65

xxiii)

0.80

88.74

88.21

86.11

85.66

xxiv)

0.90

91.19

90.79

89.15

88.80

xxv)

1.00

93.13

xxvi)

2.00

99.42

92.80

91.52

91.25

WELL SPACING = 2R
A

~
o

&
.-

R ~

000

(a)

SECTION OF DRAIN-WELL PAlTERN

(b)

PLAN OF DRAIN-WEU

w-D---l
PAITERN

(c)

FIG. 2 SCHEMATICDIAGRAM OF DRAIN-WELL INSTALLATION

SECTION

a-a

--!

IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004

Table 3 Solution of Radial-Flow Equation Equal Vertical-Strain Condition
(Clause 6.5.2)

S1 Degree
No.
of
cOlMOlidation,

Time Factor T for Value of Mr.

5

10

15

20

25

30

40

50

60

80

100

(lo)

(11)

(12)

(13)

u,
(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

i)

0.006

0.010

0.013

0.014

0.016

0.017

0.019

0.020

0.021

0.023

0.025

ii)

10

0.012

0.021

0.026

0.030

0.032

0.035

0.039

0.042

0.044

0.048

0.051

iii)

15

0.019

0.032

0.040

0.046

0.050

0.054

0s)60

0.064

0.068

0.074

0.079

iv)

20

0.026

0.044

0.055

0.063

0.069

0.074

0.082

0.088

0.092

0.101

0.107

V)

25

0.034

0.057

0.071

0.081

0.089

0.096

0.106

0.114

0.120

0.131

0.139

vi)

30

0.042

0.070

0.088

0.101

0.110

0.118

0.131

0.141

0.149

0.162

0.172

vii)

35

0.050

0.085

0.106

0.121

0.133

0.143

0.158

0.170

0.180

0.1%

0.208

viii)

40

0.101

0.125

0.144

0.158

0.170

0.188

0.202

0.214

0.232

0.246

ix)

45

0.070

0.118

0.147

0.169

0.185

0.198

0.220

0.236

0.250

0.291

0.288

x)

50

0.081

0.137

0.170

0.195

0.214

0.230

0.255

0.274

0.290

0.315

0.334

xi)

55

0.094

0.157

0.197

0.225

0.247

0.265

0.294

0.316

0.334

0.363

0.385

xii)

60

0.107

0.180

0.226

0.258

0.283

0.304

0.337

0.362

0.383

0.416

0.441

xiii)

65

0.123

0.207

0.259

0.2%

0.325

0.348

0.386

0.415

0.439

0.477

0.506

xiv)

70

0.137

0.231

0.289

0.330

0.362

0.389

0.431

0.463

0.490

0.532

0.564

xv)

75

0.162

0.273

0.342

0.391

0.429

0.460

0.510

0.548

0.579

0.629

0.668

xvi)

80

0.188

0.317

0.397

0.453

0.498

0.534

0.592

0.636

0.673

0.730

0.775

xvii)

85

0.222

0.373

0.467

0.534

0.587

0.629

0.697

0.750

0.793

0.861

0.914

xviii)

90

0.270

0.455

0.567

0.649

0.712

0.764

0.847

0.911

0.%3

1.048

1.110

ixx)

95

0.351

0.590

0.738

0.844

0.926

0.994

1.102

1.185

1.253

1.360

1.444

xx)

99

0.539

0.907

1.135

1.298

1.423

1.528

1.693

1.821

1.925

2.091

2.219

6.6 The degree of consolidation, U can be calculated

using UZand Ur. Generally, where vertical drains are
provided, Uz is small and U maybe considered same
as Ur.

can be considered while checking the safety against

failure under the next stage of pmload.
7 SPECIAL REQUIR)lMENT
7.1 The treatment area, that is, vertical drains and
preloaded area should be sufficiently extended beyond
the outer edge of loaded area/foundation area
depending on the size of the loaded area.

If the U percent so obtained for a time f for the

assumed spacing is not sufficient /suitable then the
spacing is adjusted to get the most suitable U percent
with respect to t. Experiences with preloading in the
field suggest that 90 percent consolidation can be
achieved in about 4 to 12 weeks with normal sand wick
spacing of 1.0-2.0 m.

7.2 At top, the vertical drains are to be connected to

a permeable layer to allow the pore water to flow out
to the atmosphere. For this purpose a sand blanket of
minimum thickness 400 mm is to be provided at
ground level and sufficient length of prefabricated
drain (at least 150 mm) shall be embedded in the
sand-blanket.

6.7 In case of soft soil and specially where the final

load is high, preloading is done in stages. At each load
stage similar calculation as given in 6.4 above is done
to check, if the desired percentage consolidation is
complete or not.

7,3 Depending on the installation process there will

be a disturbed zone (smear zone) extending to some
distance away from the boredhiven holes. The extent
of smear zone will depend upon the sensitivity of soil
and method of installation of drains. This aspect is to

6.8 Depending on the percentage consolidation at

each stage, the shear strength of the soil will be
improved proportionally. The gain in shear strength

i,

IS 15284 (Part 2): 2004

be considered in design and effective radius of the
drains should be considered as a fraction of actual hole
size.
7.4 The C~ value is generally different from G
because of anisotropy and the nature of soil deposition.
It is preferable to conduct laboratory consolidation test
on samples cut in horizontal direction to get direct
measurement of Cr otherwise, Cc may be estimated
from a realistic evaluation of the ratio of horizontal to
vertical permeability.
In varved clay in-situ
permeability tests may be done.

8 CONTROL OF PRELOADING IN FIELD

Suitable instrumentation to meame the settlement of
the ground and the dissipation of pore water pressure
under each stage of loading shmdd be done to ensure
that settlement is essentially over under a preload. The
pause period for consolidation under subsequent
loading stages may be suitably controlled based on
these observations. An instrumentation scheme for
measuring the settlement and pore water pressure may
be worked out.

..+

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This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc : No. CED 43 (5716).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

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Text Affected

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