An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the smeared effect due to mandrel penetration into soft ground for a vertical drain installation. Laboratory tests were performed to investigate the formation of a smear zone, the variations of strength, and the consolidation characteristics in the disturbed zone using two types(CL at Yangsan site and OH at Pohang site) of soft clayey soils. The smear zone effect was evaluated focusing on mandrel shape, mandrel size, penetration speed, and ground condition. Based on laboratory test results, the diameter of the smear zone$(d_s)$ ranged from 3.08 and 3.92 times that of mandrel$(d_m)$. It was also found that the $(d_s/d_m)$ value of the circular shape of the mandrel is smaller than those of square and rectangular shapes. The value of $(d_s/d_m)$ decreased with larger mandrel size, lower penetration speed in the CL soil, and higher penetration speed in the OH soil. However, natural water content was minimally affected by $(d_s/d_m)$. Respectively, the coefficients of horizontal consolidation$(C_{hs})$ and horizontal Permeability$(K_s)$ of smear zone ranged from 0.81 to 0.87 times, and 0.73 to 0.83 times those of the undisturbed zone. Based on this study, the values of $C_{hs}, K_s$ and unconfined compressive strength$(q_{us})$ in the smear zone were the lowest at close vicinity of the mandrel and increased linearly with distance from the mandrel. Further, the $(q_{us})$ varied from 0.5 to 0.9 times that of the undisturbed zone strength.