Research Information System
GEOTEXTILES AND GEOMEMBRANES, vol.13, no.10, pp.669-677, 1994 (SCI-Expanded)
The performance of two basic types of geosynthetic band-shaped/strip drains - a composite drain (core surrounded by a geotextile filter) and a monolithic drain (without a geotextile filter) - has been compared by means of radial consolidation tests. Tests were repeated employing the monolithic drain wrapped in the same filter fabric as the composite drain, a cylindrical porous stone and a sand drain. Two fine-grained soils of varying plasticity and gradation were used, initially at a water content equal to their respective liquid limits. The results were evaluated to compare the rate and amount of consolidation in each case and to assess the possible effect of clogging on the performance of geosynthetic drains. It was observed that the composite drain performed better than the monolithic drain, especially in the case of finer soil. Wrapping the monolithic drain with the geotextile filter significantly increased its performance.