Project Summary/Scope: The $13 million expansion of the Port of Charleston included building a new terminal, the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Container Terminal (HLT).

<p><p><h2>Commentary</h2>The costs of Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVDs) on a highway project are typically captured in a contract bid item, which is measured by the Lineal Foot (LF).

<p><p><img class="wp-image-1536 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Schematic cross section showing PVD installation in foundation soils under an embankment and showing the typical locations of instrumentation." width="500" height="311" /><h2>Basic Function</h2>Prefabrication Vertical Drains (PVDs) (a.k.a.

<p><p><figure id='attachment_3548' style='max-width:1024px' class='caption alignnone'><img class="wp-image-3548 size-large" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Schematic cross section showing PVD installation in foundation soils under an embankment and showing the typical locations of instrumentation." width="1024" height="642" /><fi

<p><p><strong>References:<br></strong><em>Schaefer et al. (2016)<br>Hansbo (2004)<br>Holtz (1987)<br>SHRP 2 Phase 1 Technology Assessment (2008)<br>Welsh (1987)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Settlement plates should be placed at the bottom of the drainage blanket, the bottom of the compressible layer, and intermediate depths prior to PVD installation and preload.

<p><p><strong>References:<br></strong><em>Holtz (1987)<br>SHRP 2 Phase I Technology Assessment (2008)</em></p><p><strong>Method Summary</strong></p><p>Plan and elevation surveys can be used to aid in controlling the rate of fill placement and preload removal.