Numerical analyses of embankments on PVD improved soft clays

In this paper, three-dimensional behaviour of an embankment on soft soils incorporating prefabricated vertical drains is analysed with finite element method using a recently proposed constitutive model, namely S-CLAY1S. The constitutive model accounts for plastic anisotropy, interparticle bonding and degradation of bonds. The numerical simulations show that neglecting effects of anisotropy and destructuration may lead to inaccurate predictions of soft clay response. The same problem is also analysed under two-dimensional plane strain conditions. Axisymmetric vertical drains are converted into equivalent plane strain conditions using three different numerical matching techniques purposed in the literature. In order to validate these matching techniques, the 2D equivalent plane strain results are compared with the results of 3D analysis. It is shown that these numerical matching techniques accurately predict the consolidation behaviour of an embankment on PVD improved soft clays and provide a useful tool for engineering practice.