Equivalent diameter of a prefabricated vertical drain

The aim of this study is to evaluate numerically the equivalent diameter of a prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) using an equal flow rate approach. This approach requires that the equivalent circular well to be able to yield similar discharge as a PVD well when subjected to similar pressure-controlled pumping condition. Simple equivalent diameter equation was obtained from the numerical study. The proposed equation is discussed in light of the equivalent diameter equations and experimental results currently available in the literature. The outcomes of this study give more insight in this subject and improve the method of calculating the equivalent diameter of a PVD well.