Technical Papers
Nov 21, 2017

Nonlinear Consolidation Analysis of Natural Structured Clays under Time-Dependent Loading

Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 2

Abstract

Numerous nonlinear theories of consolidation for clay soils have been proposed in the past. Most of them are based on constitutive models of clays whose structural property is neglected, yet the natural structured soils are widely distributed around the world. This study investigated the nonlinear consolidation of natural structured clays using a semianalytical method. Variable permeability and compressibility were considered, as were variable overburden pressure and yield stress with depth and arbitrary loading with time. Simplified models were developed, and the process of consolidation was analyzed in detail. Calculation methods and solutions were determined. Then, a computational program was developed for verification and calculation. The present regressive solutions were found to compare well with the existing solutions, indicating that the solutions are correct and reliable. Finally, the nonlinear consolidation behavior influenced by several factors was investigated using parametric analysis.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 51778572, 51278453, and 51179170), Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China (Grant 20120101110029), and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant LY14E080016). These supports are gratefully acknowledged.

References

Basak, P., and Madhav, M. R. (1978). “Analytical solution of sand drained problems.” J. Geotech. Engrg. Div.,104(1), 129–135.
Berry, P. L., and Wilkinson, W. B. (1969). “The radial consolidation of clay soils.” Géotechnique,19(2), 253–284.
Burland, J. B. (1990). “On the compressibility and shear strength of natural clays.” Géotechnique,40(3), 329–378.
Cao, Y.-C., Chen, Y.-M. and Huang, M.-S. (2006). “One-dimensional nonlinear consolidation analysis of structured natural soft clay subjected to arbitrarily time-dependent construction loading.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng.,28(5), 569–574.
Chai, J.-C., Miura, N., Zhu, H.-H., and Yudhbir, S. P. (2004). “Compression and consolidation characteristics of structured natural clay.” Can. Geotech. J.,41(6), 1250–1258.
Chen, Y.-M., Tang, X.-W., and Jia, N. (2007). “Consolidation of sensitive clay with vertical drain.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech.,31(15), 1695–1713.
Chen, Y.-M., Tang, X.-W., and Wang, J. (2004). “An analytical solution of one-dimensional consolidation for soft sensitive soil ground.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech.,28(9), 919–930.
Davis, E. H., and Raymond, G. P. (1965). “A non-linear theory of consolidation.” Géotechnique,15(2), 161–173.
Fox, P. J. (1999). “Solution charts for finite strain consolidation of normally consolidated clays.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 847–867.
Holtz, R. D., Jamiolkowski, M. B., and Lancellotta, R. (1986). “Lessons from oedometer tests on high quality samples.” J. Geotech. Engrg., 768–776.
Hong, Z.-S., Zeng, L.-L., Cui, Y.-J., Cai, Y.-Q., and Lin, C. (2012). “Compression behaviour of natural and reconstituted clays.” Géotechnique,62(4), 291–301.
Horpibulsuk, S., Shibuya, S., Fuenkajorn, K., and Katkan, W. (2007). “Assessment of engineering properties of Bangkok clay.” Can. Geotech. J.,44(2), 173–187.
Hu, A.-F., Xia, C.-Q., Wu, H., Xie, K.-H., and Yan, L.-H. (2017). “A study on one-dimensional consolidation of layered structured aquitard soils in a leakage system.” Mar. Georesour. Geotechnol.,35(3), 318–329.
Karim, M. R., and Oka, F. (2010). “An automatic time increment selection scheme for simulation of elasto-viscoplastic consolidation of clayey soils.” Geomech. Geoeng.,5(3), 153–177.
Karim, M. R., Oka, F., Krabbenhoft, K., Leroueil, S., and Kimoto, S. (2013). “Simulation of long-term consolidation behavior of soft sensitive clay using an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech.,37(16), 2801–2824.
Lee, P. K. K., Xie, K. H., and Cheung, Y. K. (1992). “A study on one dimensional consolidation of layered systems.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech.,16(11), 815–831.
Lekha, K. R., Krishnaswamy, N. R., and Basak, P. (2003). “Consolidation of clays for variable permeability and compressibility.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 1001–1009.
Leroueil, S., and Vaughan, P. R. (1990). “The general and congruent effects of structure in natural soils and weak rocks.” Géotechnique,40(3), 467–488.
Liu, M. D., and Carter, J. P. (2003). “Volumetric deformation of natural clays.” Int. J. Geomech., 236–252.
Liu, M. D., Carter, J. P., and Desai, C. S. (2003). “Modeling compression behavior of structured geomaterials.” Int. J. Geomech., 191–204.
Liu, Y., Gong, Z., and Wang, Z. (2012). “One-dimensional nonlinear consolidation analysis of clay considering structural stress.” J. Civ. Archit. Environ. Eng.,34(2), 39–45.
Lu, M., Wang, S., Sloan, S. W., Sheng, D., and Xie, K. (2015). “Nonlinear consolidation of vertical drains with coupled radial–vertical flow considering well resistance.” Geotext. Geomembr.,43(2), 182–189.
Mataic, I., Wang, D., and Korkiala-Tanttu, L. (2016). “Effect of destructuration on the compressibility of Perniö clay in incremental loading oedometer tests.” Int. J. Geomech., 04015016.
Nagaraj, T. S., Murthy, B. R. S., Vatsala, A., and Joshi, R. C. (1990). “Analysis of compressibility of sensitive soils.” J. Geotech. Eng., 105–118.
Ozelim, L. C. D. S., Camapum de Carvalho, J., Cavalcante, A. L. B., Pereira da Silva, J., and Muñetón, C. M. G. (2015). “Novel approach to consolidation theory of structured and collapsible soils.” Int. J. Geomech., 04014064.
Poskitt, T. J. (1969). “The consolidation of saturated clay with variable permeability and compressibility.” Géotechnique,19(2), 234–252.
Schiffman, R. L. (1958). “Consolidation of soil under time-dependent loading and varying permeability.” Proc., 37th Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board,Highway Research Board,Washington, DC, 584–617.
Schiffman, R. L., and Stein, J. R. (1970). “One-dimensional consolidation of layered systems.” J. Soil Mech. Found. Div.,96(4), 1499–1504.
Scott, R. F. (1989). “Consolidation of sensitive clay as phase change process.” J. Geotech. Engrg., 1439–1458.
Shen, Z. J. (1996). “Mathematical modelling considering soil structure: A key issue in soil mechanics in the 21st century.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng.,18(1), 95–97.
Tavenas, F., Jean, P., Leblond, P. and Leroueil, S. (1983). “The permeability of natural soft clays. PartII: Permeability characteristics.” Can. Geotech. J.,20(4), 645–660.
Terzaghi, K. (1925). “Principles of soil mechanics, IV—Settlement and consolidation of clay.” Eng. News Rec.,95(3), 874–878.
Wang, L.-Z., Ding, L., Chen, Y.-M., and Li, L.-L. (2004). “Study on compressibility of structured soft soil.” China Civ. Eng. J.,37(4), 46–53.
Wang, L.-Z., and Li, L.-L. (2007). “Field disturbance of structured clay and its effect on settlements of soil foundation.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng.,29(5), 697–704.
Watabe, Y., and Leroueil, S. (2015). “Modeling and implementation of the isotache concept for long-term consolidation behavior.” Int. J. Geomech., A404006.
Xie, K.-H. (1994). “Theory of one dimensional consolidation of double-layered ground and its applications.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng.,16(5), 24–35.
Xie, K.-H., and Pan, Q. Y. (1995). “Theory of one-dimensional consolidation of multi-layered soil under varied load.” Chin. J. Geotech. Eng.,17(5), 80–85.
Xie, K.-H., Xia, C.-Q., An, R., Hu, A.-F., and Zhang, W.-P. (2016a). “A study on the one-dimensional consolidation of double-layered structured soils.” Comput. Geotech.,73, 189–198.
Xie, K.-H., Xia, C.-Q., An, R., Ying, H.-W., and Wu, H. (2016b). “A study on one-dimensional consolidation of layered structured soils.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech.,40(7), 1081–1098.
Xie, K.-H., Zheng, H., Li, B.-H., and Liu, X.-W. (2003). “Analysis of one dimensional nonlinear consolidation of layered soils under time-dependent loading.” J. Zhejiang Univ.,37(4), 426–431.
Yin, Z.-Y., Xu, Q., and Yu, C. (2015). “Elastic-viscoplastic modeling for natural soft clays considering nonlinear creep.” Int. J. Geomech., A6014001.
Zeng, L.-L., Hong, Z.-S., Cai, Y.-Q., and Han, J. (2011). “Change of hydraulic conductivity during compression of undisturbed and remolded clays.” Appl. Clay Sci.,51(1–2), 86–93.
Zhuang, Y.-C., Xie, K.-H., and Li, X.-B. (2005). “Nonlinear analysis of consolidation with variable compressibility and permeability.” J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A,6(3), 181–187.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to International Journal of Geomechanics
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18Issue 2February 2018

History

Received: Mar 23, 2017
Accepted: Aug 11, 2017
Published online: Nov 21, 2017
Published in print: Feb 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Apr 21, 2018

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

An-Feng Hu
Associate Professor, Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering/MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou 310058, China.
Chang-Qing Xia, S.M.ASCE [email protected]
Ph.D. Student, Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering/MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou 310058, China (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Jun Cui
Master’s Student, Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering/MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou 310058, China.
Chuan-Xun Li
Associate Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Jiangsu Univ., Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Kang-He Xie
Professor, Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering/MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou 310058, China.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share