Effect of air-boost modes on clogging behavior for vacuum consolidation with prefabricated horizontal drain.

The air-booster vacuum preloading method is considered a reasonable choice for alleviating clogging problems. However, research on the air-boost mode during the early consolidation stage is still lacking. In this study, a series of comparative experiments were designed to investigate the effects of applying different pressures and durations on the consolidation characteristics of dredged soil and clogging at two consolidation stages using indoor model tests and microscopic tests. The experimental results showed that the air-boost modes of low pressure and short duration should be adopted during the early consolidation stage, and as the continuous consolidation, the pressure and duration should be increased. Moreover, early gas injection had a more significant effect on alleviating clogging of the prefabricated horizontal drain (PHD), and the pore diameter of dredged soil was also smaller. The research results are an important guide for air-booster vacuum preloading to dewater high-moisture dredged soil. • The implementation of early gas injection is an effective measure in the realm of air-booster vacuum preloading. • Early gas injection can delay the formation time of clogging. • Low pressure and short duration should be used in the early consolidation stage. • This study can provide a new reference for related air-booster vacuum preloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]