<p><p><figure id='attachment_1570' style='max-width:654px' class='caption alignnone'><img class="wp-image-1570 size-full" src="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/…; alt="Photograph of a vacuum consolidation project." width="654" height="450" /><figcaption class='caption-text'> Sand platform and geotextile. Photograph from www.menardusa.com, courtesy of DGI-Menard, Inc.</figcaption></figure></p><p>Vacuum consolidation induces an increase in effective stress in foundation soils through reduction in pore pressures. PVDs can be used to increase the effectiveness of the system by reducing drainage path lengths. Advantages include no fill required, no staged loading required, and lower costs than surcharge loading solutions. This technique is applicable new embankments on unstable soils, embankment widening, and stabilization of the working platform.</p><p>