General Approximate Analytical Solutions for One-Dimensional Nonlinear Consolidation of Soft Soils under Time-Dependent Loading
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 5
Abstract
A surcharge preloading method with time-dependent loading is widely used for accelerating the consolidation process of soft soils, and different loading patterns have a great effect on the consolidation characteristics. For one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation of soft soils considering the variable compressibility and permeability, the general approximate analytical solutions for one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation under time-dependent loading are derived. Moreover, two forms of boundary conditions are considered according to engineering practice. With reference to the general analytical solutions presented, the expressions for the solutions under several common loading patterns, such as the multistage instantaneous loading pattern, multistage linear loading pattern, and cyclic loading pattern, are given. The accuracy and correctness of the approximate analytical solutions are proven by comparing the approximate analytical solutions with the finite-difference solutions and two experimental results with different boundary conditions. Based on the approximate analytical solutions proposed, the consolidation behaviors of soft soils under different loading patterns are analyzed. In conclusion, the proposed approximate analytical solutions have a simple and clear form, which is convenient for calculations in engineering applications.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51378469 and 51708497); the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China (Grant Nos. LZ20E080001, LY19E080013, and LQ19E080009); the Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo, China (Grant No. 2019A610444); and the Application Research of Public Welfare Technology of Ningbo, China (Grant No. 2019C50016). In particular, we thank the reviewers and the editor for their valuable comments and suggestions on how to improve the quality of this paper.
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 5 • May 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 20, 2021
Accepted: Dec 27, 2021
Published online: Mar 9, 2022
Published in print: May 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Aug 9, 2022
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