Behaviour of the Haarajoki test

embankment constructed on soft clay

improved by vertical drains
Azim Yildiz
University of Cukurova, Turkey

Harald Krenn, Minna Karstunen

University of Strathclyde, UK
Outline of presentation

User defined soil model: S-CLAY1S model

Haarajoki test embankment without vertical drains

Modelling of vertical drains

Haarajoki test embankment with vertical drains

Conclusions
Structure of Natural Clays

Soil structure consists of:

For a constant stress path:
fabric (anisotropy)
interparticle bonding
(sensitivity)
Natural
Re constitute d
v soil 1 soil

Due to plastic straining gradual i

degradation of bonding (destructuration) 1

and changes in fabric

ln p'
Modelling Plastic Anisotropy

1. Standard elasto-plastic framework (kinematic or

translational hardening laws)
Nova (1985), Banerjee & Yousif (1986), Dafalias
(1986), Davies & Newson (1993), Whittle & Kavvadas
(1994), Wheeler & al. (2003)

Note: You cannot use invariants!

2. Multilaminate framework
Zienkiewicz & Pande (1977), Pande & Sharma (1983),
Pietruszczak & Pande (1987), Wiltafsky (2003), Neher
et al. (2001, 2002), Mahin Roosta et al. (2004)
Modelling Destructuration

Concept of an intrinsic yield surface proposed by Gens & Nova

(1993)
Lagioia & Nova (1995), Rouainia & Muir Wood
(2000), Kavvadas & Amorosi (2000), Gajo & Muir
Wood (2001), Liu & Carter (2002), Karstunen et al.
(2005)
CSL
q
M
1

pmi pm
p

1
M
CSL
S-CLAY1S Model

CSL
q
M
y 1
p natural yield surface

x pmi pm
p

z intrinsic yield surface

1
M
CSL

Intrinsic yield surface (Gens & Nova 1993) p'm = (1 + x )p'mi

F=
3
2
[ ]
{d p' d }T {d p' d } M 2 3 { d }T { d }[p'm p']p' = 0
2
Definitions:
Deviatoric stress Deviatoric fabric tensor
vector (in vector form)
'x p' x 1
' p' 1
y y
' z p ' z 1
d = d =
2 xy 2
xy
2 yz 2yz

2 zx 2zx

'x +'y +'z x + y + z

p' = =1
3 3
Hardening laws:
1) Size of the intrinsic yield surface
vp'mi dpv
dp'mi =
i
2) Rotation of the yield surface
3 p
dd = ( d )dv + ( d )dd
p

4 3

3) Degradation of bonding
p p
( )
dx = ax dv + b dd

S-CLAY1 and MCC

By setting x to zero and using an oedometric value

(1D) for compressibility :
S-CLAY1 model (anisotropy only)

By setting, in addition, and to zero:

MCC model (isotropy only)
Additional State Variables and Soil
Constants
Symbol Definition Method

0 Initial inclination of the yield Estimated via

Anisotropy

curve

Proportion constant Estimated via

Rate of rotation (1020)/K0

x0 Initial amount of bonding St -1

Destructuration

i Slope of intrinsic compression Oedometer test on

line reconstituted soil

b Proportion constant For most clays 0.2-0.3

a Rate of destructuration Typically 8-11

 The analysis of embankment on soft soil

During the construction of embankments

(undrained behaviour)
an increase in pore pressure.

the effective stress remains low

After construction (drained behaviour)

the excess pore pressures will dissipate

The consolidation settlements will start due to
drained behaviour. u time
tc
The consolidation takes a long time to
complete because of the very low
tc: construction time
permeability,
The effective stress will increase and soil can
obtain the necessary shear strength to
= -u
continue the consolidation.
Vertical drains

to reduce the length of the drainage

paths
to shorten consolidation time
to increase shear strength
Haarajoki Test Embankment

Finnish National Road Administration organised an international

competition to predict the behaviour of the Haarajoki Test Embankment.

The embankment which is used as a noise barrier was constructed in 1997

after all participants of the competition submitted the results.

Laboratory investigations have been carried out by Road Administration

and the laboratory of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering at the
Helsinki University of Technology

The embankment was monitored with settlement plates, piezometers,

inclinometers, extensometers and total stress gauges.
Longitudinal section:

35840 35880

100m

3m

2m Dry crust

Vertical drains
20m Soft clay c/c 1m

2-3m Silt
2-3m Till
 Construction Schedule
3.5

2.5
Total construction time: 14 days
each layer: 2 days construction
2 1 day for consolidation.
Height (m)

1.5
Instrumentation
installation

0.5

0
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70
Time (days)
Measured Pore Pressures (35840)
Pore Water Pressure

200

180
Active pore pressure, kPa

160

Depth=7.2m
140 Depth=10.2m
Depth=15.2m
120

100

80

60
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Time
Measured settlements (1997-2002)

Time (day)

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
0

100
Without PVD
200
With PVD
300
Settlement (mm)

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

PVD: Prefabricated vertical drain

Initial conditions

Vertical Stress, kN/m

0 40 80 120 160
0

4
Initial vertical stress
6
Preconsolidation stress
8
Depth, m

10
v : Pre-consolidation pressure
12
v0 : : Initial vertical stress
14

16

18

20

22
Soil Parameters
Initial State Parameters Additional Soil Constants
Name depth [m] e 0 POP x0 Name i a b
[kN/m^2]
1 0-1m 1.40 -76.5 0.58 4 1 1.0 50 0.04 8 0.2
2 1-2m 1.40 -60.0 0.58 4 2 1.0 50 0.06 8 0.2
3a 2-3m 2.90 -38.0 0.44 22 3a 0.7 20 0.38 8 0.2
3b 3-4m 2.90 -34.0 0.44 22 3b 0.7 20 0.38 8 0.2
3c 4-5m 2.90 -30.0 0.44 22 3c 0.7 20 0.38 8 0.2
4 5-7m 2.80 -24.0 0.42 30 4 0.6 20 0.27 8 0.2
5 7-10m 2.30 -21.0 0.41 45 5 0.6 20 0.19 8 0.2
6 10-12m 2.20 -28.5 0.41 45 6 0.6 20 0.33 8 0.2
7 12-15m 2.20 -33.5 0.44 45 7 0.7 20 0.3 8 0.2
8 15-18m 2.00 -17.0 0.58 45 8 1.0 20 0.13 8 0.2
9 18-22.2m 2.00 -1.0 0.58 45 9 1.0 20 0.03 8 0.2

Conventional Soil Constants

Name ' k_x k_y
[kN/m^3] [m/d] [m/d]
1 17 0.006 0.35 0.12 1.50 1.30E-03 1.30E-03
2 17 0.009 0.35 0.21 1.50 1.30E-03 1.30E-03
3a 14 0.033 0.18 1.33 1.15 1.56E-04 1.30E-04
3b 14 0.033 0.18 1.33 1.15 1.56E-04 1.30E-04
3c 14 0.033 0.18 1.33 1.15 1.56E-04 1.30E-04
4 14 0.037 0.1 0.96 1.10 1.21E-04 8.60E-05
5 15 0.026 0.1 0.65 1.07 1.38E-04 6.90E-05
6 15 0.031 0.28 1.16 1.07 2.59E-04 1.30E-04
7 15 0.033 0.28 1.05 1.15 2.59E-04 1.30E-04
8 16 0.026 0.28 0.45 1.50 8.00E-04 1.12E-04
9 17 0.009 0.28 0.10 1.50 8.00E-03 8.00E-03
Plaxis simulations

Two dimensional (2D) finite element code PLAXIS V8.

The problem was analysed in a plane-strain conditions.

The geometry of the test embankment was assumed symmetric

The real construction schedule has been simulated in calculation.

The initial stresses were calculated by using K0=(1-sin) OCRsin

(Mayne & Kulhawy 1982)
Soil permeability

The changes of soil permeability during consolidation were

taken into account according to the relationship (Taylor 1948)
k e
log =
k0 ck

e: change in void ratio,

k : the soil permeability in the calculation step
k0 : the initial input value of the permeability
ck : the permeability change index

It was assumed that ck=0.5e0 in the analyses (Tavenas et al.

1983).
The analysis of area without vertical drains
(Cross-section 35840)
8.0m

1/
2
3.0m EMBANKMENT

0.00
DRY CRUST
- 2.00

SOFT CLAY

- 22.00

TILL/SILT
Time-settlement curve

Center Line (35840)

Time (days)
0 500 1000 1500 2000
0
Observed
100 MCC
S-CLAY1
S-CLAY1S
Settlement (mm)

200

300

400

500

600
Pore pressures

Cross Section: 35840

190

170
15 m
Active Pore pressure (kPa)

150

Observered
130
S-CLAY1S
10 m S-CLAY1
110
MCC

90 7m

70

50
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Time (days)
Surface settlements

Cross section (35840)

200

100

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Settlement (mm)

-100
5.9.97

24.9.02
-200

S-CLAY1S 5.9.97
-300
S-CLAY1S 24.9.02

-400

-500
Time (days)
The analysis of improved area by vertical drains
(Cross-section 35880)
8.0m

1/
3.0m 2
EMBANKMENT

0.00
DRY CRUST
- 2.00

SOFT CLAY

- 22.00

TILL/SILT
Drain properties in Haarajoki Test Embankment

Vertical drains are 15m long

They are installed in a square grid with 1m spacing
Equivalent radius of drains is 0.034 m
The radius of axsiymmetric unit cell = 0.565 m
Discharge capacity, qw = 157 m3/year
 Background theory of vertical drains
Barron (1948) developed the solution of the horizontal
consolidation under ideal conditions using an
axisymmetric unit cell model.

8 Th
U h = 1 exp(
kh
)

There are
There aretwo
twoimportant
importantfactors
factorsininthe
the
analysis
analysisof
ofvertical
verticaldrains.
drains. dw

smear
smeareffect
effect
De

well
wellresistance.
resistance.

Radial drainage of a vertical

drain
Smear effect

Because of the installation of the drains soil around the drain (smear zone) is
disturbed.
o The smear zone depends on
9 the method of drain installation
9 the size and shape of mandrel
9 the soil structure
o Problems for the analysis:
9 What is the diameter of the smear zone (ds) ?
9 What is the permeability of soil in the smear zone (ks)

Recent investigations on a laboratory scale

ds/dm = 4-5 (Indraratna and Redana, 1998)
kh/ks = 2 (Bergado et al. 1993)

5 < kh/ks < 20 for field full-scale test (Bergado et al. 1993)
Well resistance

The limited discharge capacity of drains can cause a serious delay in the
consolidation process.

Modern drains have a high enough discharge capacity (qw>150 m3/year).

The effect of well resistance can be ignored in the design.

Hansbo (1981) modified the equation of Barron (1948) to include
the effect of smear and well resistance

8 Th
U h = 1 exp( )

3 qw
= ln(n ) (perfect drain)
kh ks
4
l

n k
= ln + ln( s )
3
(smear effect only) rw
s k s
4
rs
R

n k
= ln + ln(s ) + (2 l z z )
3 k 2 h

s k s
4 q w D

(smear effect and well resistance)

n = R/rw and s = rs/rw Axisymmetric Radial Flow

Finite element analysis of vertical drains

2-D
2-DFE
FEanalysis
analysisof
ofembankments
embankmentsisisconducted
conductedononthe
theplane
planestrain
strain
conditions
conditionswhereas
whereasvertical
verticaldrains
drainsare
areaxisymmetric
axisymmetric

The Vertical drain system may be converted into equivalent

plane strain model by manipulating the drain spacing (B) and/or
soil permeability (kh).

Hird et al. (1992) developed an equivalent plane strain analysis

considering a unit cell of the vertical drain based on Hansbos
theory.
The degree of consolidation in plane strain condition can be
expressed as follows:

_
_
u T Average
Averagedegree
degreeofofconsolidation
consolidation
U = 1 = 1 exp( 8 ) hp
for
for both axisymmetricand
both axisymmetric
hp

_
and
u equivalent
equivalentplane
planestrain
strainconditions
0 p
conditions
are
aremade
madeequal
equalatateach
eachtime
time
step and at a given stress level
step and at a given stress level
u : the pore pressure at time t,
uo : the initial pore pressure
Thp : the time factor in plane strain
pl : the parameter that includes the effect of smear and well resistance

Uhax = Uhpl

T T c t c t
= hpl hax
or =
hpl hax

pl ax
B 2
R pl
2
ax
 Geometry matching (kax=kpl)

1
The
Thespacing
spacingbetween
betweenthe
theplane
planestrain
straindrains
drainscan
canbe
be
B 3 k 2
ln (s )
changed
= ln (n ) + h
3 changedwhile
whilekeeping
keepingthe
thepermeability
permeabilitythe
thesame
same
R 2 4
ks

Permeability matching (B=R)

2kax The permeability values in the plane strain analysis can

k pl = The permeability values in the plane strain analysis can
n k 3 be changed while keeping the spacing between the
be changed while keeping the spacing between the
3 ln + ax ln( s ) drains the same
drains the same
s ks 4

Combined matching

2B2 kax This

This method
method isis aa combination
combination of
of permeability
permeability and
and
kpl = geometry matching. B is preselected and then k isis
n k 3 geometry matching. B is preselected and then k pl
3R2 ln + ax ln(s) calculated to achieve matching. pl
calculated to achieve matching.
s ks 4
Matching procedures for plane strain model

Geometry Permeability Combined

matching matching matching
B 3.3 m kpl/kax 0.029 kpl/kax 0.361
R 0.565 B 0.565 B 2.0
rs 0.1 R 0.565 R 0.565
k 20 rs 0.1 rs 0.1
ks 1 kax 20 kax 20
rw 0.033 ks 1 ks 1
kh/ks 20 rw 0.033 rw 0.033
ds/dm 2.0 kax/ks 20 kax/ks 20
ds/dm 2.0 ds/dm 2.0
 Unit cell analysis

drain

kh ks rw
Smear zone
bw
l rs bs
R B

D 2B

(a) Axisymmetric Radial Flow (b) Plain strain

 Unit Cell Analysis

Time (days)
0 100 200 300 400 500
0

200
Geometry matching
Permeability matching
400
Perfect drain
Settlement (mm)

combined matching
600 Axisymmetric

800

1000

1200

1400

Time (days)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
0

200 axisymmetric analysis

geometry matching
400
permeability matching
Smear effect
Settlement (mm)

600 combined matching

(kh/ks=20 ds/dm=5)
800

1000

1200

1400
Unit Cell Analysis (smear effect)

Time (days)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
0

200
k/ks=1
400 k/ks=2
k/ks effect (ds/dm=5)
Settlement (mm)

600 k/ks=5

800
k/ks=10
k/ks=20
1000

1200 k=kh horizontal permeability in the

1400
undisturbed area

Time (days)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
0

200
ds/dm=1
400 ds/dm=2
Settlement (mm)

ds/dm=3
600 ds/sm=4
ds/dm effect (k/ks =10)
ds/dm=5
800
no smear
1000
dm mandrel diameter
1200

1400
The simulation of Haarajoki Test embankment

Time Settlement curves

Time (days)
0 500 1000 1500 2000
0
100 Observed
MCC
200
S-CLAY1
300 S-CLAY1S
Settlement (mm)

400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Comparison of the settlement behaviour of embankment

Time (days)
0 500 1000 1500 2000
0
Observed-NO PVD
100
Observed-WITH PVD
200 S-CLAY1S (WITH PVD)
Settlement (mm)

300 S-CLAY1S (NO PVD)

400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

PVD: Prefabricated vertical drain

 Excess pore pressures

-35

-30
No PVD
Excess pore pressure (kN/m )
2

-25 With PVD

-20

-15

-10

-5

0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
Time (days)
Pore pressure distribution
After
construction
6th layer
Vertical displacements
After
construction
6th layer
Lateral displacements
After
construction
6th layer
Conclusions

S-CLAY1S simulations of Haarajoki test embankment on

natural soil are in good agreement with observed settlements
It is important to account for anisotropy, bonding and
degradation of bonds in boundary value problems where loading
is dominant
Vertical drains can be modelled simply and successfully in
plane strain simulations using a proper matching procedure
Smear effect must be taken into account in the analysis
Future Work
full 3D embankment simulations

enhance S-CLAY1S model to consider creep effects

 Thank you for your attention!

For information email to

azim@cu.edu.tr
or
harald.krenn@strath.ac.uk

You can also visit the AMGISS website for further info:

http://www.civil.gla.ac.uk/amgiss