An Innovative Approach for Taming Highly Compressible Soils

Wick Drains, often referred to as Prefabricated Vertical Drains or Vertical Drains, is a technique in which artificial drainage paths or vertical drains are installed into soft and compressible soils. These drainage paths take pore water out of the existing soils in order for it to consolidate much faster over a shorter period of time.  

  • Accelerates soil consolidation
  • Can be installed underwater
  • Very economical approach
  • Rapid installation: shorter timelines
  • Soft soils 
  • Silty soils 
  • Clay soils 
  • Treat soils up to 40m deep 

The installation of  Wick Drains is done through a specially constructed mast with a steel mandrel attached to an excavator to push a prefabricated vertical drain to the required depth on a predetermined grid pattern. This increases the apparent mass permeability of the soft soils and therefore reduces the overall consolidation time. It is often used in combination with temporary surcharge fill to expedite the primary consolidation as well as induce several decades of secondary consolidation (creep) settlement. 

How it Works

Prefabricated Wick Drains are designed to work very effectively under extreme settlement conditions. Prefabricated drains are comprised of corrugated plastic, covered in geotextile that acts as a filter to minimize any clogging that may occur. There are several kinds of prefabricated drains, both round and flat types, as well as various sizes. Networks of Wick Drains are designed according to the type of ground, and the degree of consolidation needed. This is one of the best solutions for accelerating soil consolidation. 


Our Promise of Quality Assurance

Working with Menard Canada, you can rest assured that our ground improvement proposals will always have straightforward pricing, so you will never have to worry about any unexpected project extras. The cost that we quote you on is your project’s cost; it’s that simple. Furthermore, we will always work to meet and exceed all your project expectations by performing tasks using the most thorough quality control measures possible to ensure a positive project outcome for your project; this is our promise to you. 

We invite you to review our testimonials below and see what makes Menard Canada different.