Definition of Pore water pressure
Pore water pressure (sometimes abbreviated to pwp) refers to the pressure of groundwater held within a soil or rock, in gaps between particles (pores). Pore water pressures below the phreatic level of the groundwater are measured with piezometers. Today, to mitigate the problem, vibro replacement stone columns, vibro piers, compaction grouting, jet grouting, or other methods or used to density the soil or to provide a drainage path for water in order not to allow pore water pressure buildup during earthquakes. The pressure is zero when the soil voids are filled with air, and is negative when the voids are partly filled with water (in which case surface-tension forces operate to achieve a suction effect and the shear strength of the soil is increased). Excess pore pressure refers to a sudden increase in pore pressure within a soil due to rapidly applied loading conditions (undrained loading). Materials with low permeability such as clays, may exhibit this behaviour.