Analysis of Consolidation Behavior of Mica Dam

Deformations that occur during construction of earth dams with clay cores include a time-dependent component due to simultaneous generation and dissipation of pore pressures. A method of analysis is proposed which considers two-dimensional consolidation, effects of sequential filling and construction stoppages, and nonlinear stress-strain properties of soils. The method integrates a finite element analysis of consolidation with finite total and effective stresses. The method has been used to analyze the construction behavior of Mica Dam in Canada, which experienced time-dependent deformations due to consolidation of clay core. The calculated and observed pore pressures and settlements agreed reasonably well.