Abstract
A numerical method by FEM is proposed in order to analyze the consolidation of composite ground improved by sand piles such as sand compaction pile method. The proposed method takes into account the stiffness of piles and the drainage through sand piles which is called ‘vertical drain effect’. This method can express the influence of decresed permability in smeared zone. Then composite grounds having such properties are analyzed by the proposed method with ‘Multi-link element’ which is a quasi-three-dimensional FEM for composite ground. Consequently the proposed method describes well the influence of diameter and pitch of pile on consolidation degree. The distribution of safety in ground and the change of stress share accompanying pore-pressure dissipation are also obtained.
