Simulation with Plaxis 2D of wick drains and preloading in claveysoils
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Abstract
Clayey soft soils with low bearing capacity frequently pose challenges for foundation design in industrial areas, as conventional construction methods are often insufficient. This study evaluates the performance of a prefabricated vertical drain (wick drain) system combined with staged preloading as a ground improvement solution in the Brisas de Procarsa sector, Durán, Ecuador. The consolidation process was modeled using Plaxis 2D software, comparing two scenarios: with and without installed drains. CPTu field tests provided the geotechnical input parameters for the finite element model. Results show that wick drains substantially reduced consolidation time: the treated soil reached over 90% consolidation in roughly 120 days, compared to more than 500 days in the untreated case. Settlement was more uniform and vertical stress distribution more efficient in the drained scenario. The Plaxis 2D simulations confirm that this combined approach is technically feasible for accelerating consolidation in soft clayey soils, with direct implications for infrastructure planning on problematic ground.
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