Prediction of Land Subsidence Using a Proposed Consolidation-Seepage-Creep Coupling Model

Many investigators have proposed a number of models to describe the land subsidence mechanism. However, some difficulties still exist, for example, the influence of the pumped layers' deformation on its hydraulic characteristics, the creep behavior in the pumped aquifers, and the coupling of the consolidation and the seepage. Therefore, a consolidation-seepage-creep coupling model is proposed in this study; a one-dimensional formula of the coupling model is derived including methods of determining these model parameters. The creep tests are implemented on both clayey aquitard and sandy aquifer layers simulating the Changzhou region to obtain the critical parameters of their creep behavior. Finally, results from both the current model and an elastro-plastic model are compared with the field observation data. It is concluded that the proposed model is a better approach to simulate the land subsidence in Changzhou.