Vacuum consolidation field test on a pseudo-fibrous peat

Abstract

Several different ground improvement methods have been used to improve soft highly compressible organic soils such as peat. Vacuum consolidation is a ground improvement technique developed in the 1950’s, in which the atmospheric pressure is used as a surcharge to improve the geotechnical properties of the soil deposit. Since the I980’s. vacuum consolidation has become increasingly popular and has been successfully implemented in several countries, mainly for the improvement of soft highly compressible clays and hydraulic fills for land reclamation projects. Other soils such as peat and soda ash-tailings have also been improved using vacuum consolidation, although there are only a few publications on its use on these materials.