To simulate the soft ground improved by vertical drain method and to investigate the effect of overlapping smear on subsequent consolidation behavior, a series of consolidation tests with a large consolidation chamber and mandrel insertion device were conducted. Based on the test result, numerical analysis was also performed to analyze the efficiency of the vertical drain method. Laboratory test and numerical analysis results showed that the effect of smear zone increased consolidation settlement but the overlapping smear zone decreased the consolidation settlement. In addition, vertical drain accelerated consolidation rate but narrowing the drain spacing did not affect the consolidation rate because of the effect of smear. The efficiency of consolidation rather decreased substantially when the smear zone was overlapped.