Factors Affecting Consolidation Related Prediction of Singapore Marine Clay by Observational Methods

The use of prefabricated vertical drains with preloading option is the most widely-used ground improvement method for the improvement of marine clays in land reclamation projects. The assessment of the degree of consolidation of the marine clay is of paramount importance prior to the removal of preload in such ground improvement projects. This analysis can be carried out by means of observational methods with the use of field settlement plates and piezometer monitoring. Field settlement monitoring data can be used to ascertain the settlement of the reclaimed fill from the time of initial installation. The field settlement data can be analysed by the Asaoka method to predict the ultimate settlement of the reclaimed land under the surcharge fill. Back-analysis of the field settlement data will enable the coefficient of consolidation due to horizontal flow to be closely estimated. Piezometer monitoring data can be analysed to obtain the degree of consolidation of the improved marine clay. Back-analysis of the piezometer data will also enable the coefficient of consolidation due to horizontal flow to be estimated. The aim of this paper is to highlight the significance and impact of the various factors that affect prediction by the Asaoka and piezometer assessment methods. The authors findings of the Asaoka method reveal that the magnitude of ultimate settlement decreases and the degree of consolidation subsequently increases as a longer period of assessment is used in the prediction. The degree of consolidation predicted by the piezometers is found to be in good agreement with the Asaoka method for the early period of assessment. However as the assessment period increases, the piezometer indicates lower degree of consolidation as compared to field settlement predictions.