Research Information System
Second National Geosynthetics Conference, İstanbul, Turkey, 16 - 17 November 2006, pp.155-164
The behavior of an instrumented test fill is analysed in order to assess the effectiveness of a
preloading with vertical prefabricated drains design to improve the soil layers at the site of
Konya Wastewater Treatment Plant where large pool type structures are planned to be
constructed. The foundation layers of the test fill had be instrumented with settlement plates
and magnetic settlements columns, the readings of which are evaluated together with fill
placement programme, and they are compared with the results of a finite element analysis
modelled to duplicate field loading and drainage conditions. In the coupled analysis
performed elasto-plastic material behavior is considered and material properties are derived
from SPT blow count numbers and laboratory oedometer and unconsolidated undrained (UU)
triaxial test results. Observed field behavior and the results of finite element analysis have
shown that planned preloading scheme will be sufficient to obtain the required degree of soil
improvement and the vertical drains will provide for the degree of consolidation within the
planned time period. It is also shown that the method of numerical analysis used in this study
utilizing the material properties obtained from field and laboratory testing can successfully
predict the field behavior.