Vertical Wick Drains (VWD’s) consist of a corrugated plastic drainage core wrapped with a non-woven geotextile.

The drainage core provides a path for the water of consolidation to move to the surface while the geotextile prevents soil particles from clogging the drainage core. In the vertical application, the wick drains are installed with specialized equipment that drives the strips of wick drain into the ground. Vertical wick drains, in conjunction with a preload, provide a drainage path for water-saturated areas to speed up settlement. Saving the project time and money compared to a preload alone or having to use piles.