Utilization of coir dust to partially replace sand in vertical Drains for soft ground improvement

Abstract

During recent decades, ground improvements using waste materials have been encouraged in many countries as a cost effective way. This paper discusses application of coir wastes in vertical drains as a substitution material to sand. The permeability behaviours of the combined material of sea sand and coir waste were studied and they were sufficient for vertical drains. The inclusion of vertical drains in the soft clay was physically modeled and the drains were filled by the mixed material. This study showed that consolidation rate of soft clay increased largely with the vertical drains. Finally, an optimum coir percentage was proposed.