Analysis of Consolidation of Ground Installed with Sand Drains under Loading and Vacuum by Boundary Element Method

In this paper, the boundary element method was used for analysing the consolidation of a ground treated by sand drains and vacuum n ethod in Tianjin Dort. The boundary integral equations for Biot's linear consolidation theory were formulated and the relevant program was developed. It is found the computed results well agree with the field results. For comparison, analysis were also made using inite element method and finite difference method. The deformation features were discussed of the sand drains ground under loading and vacuum conditions. The consolidatio effectiveness of the ground without sand drains was also calculated in this paper.