Abstract
This paper studies the one-dimensional (1D) consolidation behavior for unsaturated stratum subjected to piecewise cyclic loading. Combined with the widely accepted consolidation theory of unsaturated soils, a semianalytical method was employed to investigate the consolidation of unsaturated foundation considering piecewise cyclic loading in the Laplace domain. Furthermore, the reduced solutions were produced to perform the verification work accompanied by the results in the existing literature. Finally, a case study was conducted to explore the consolidation characteristics under piecewise cyclic loading (i.e., triangular and trapezoidal cyclic loadings). Parametric studies were carried out by variations of excess pore pressures and settlement against the ratio of air-water permeability coefficients, depth, and loading parameters. The research proposed in this paper can provide theoretical basis for the ground treatment of unsaturated soils, especially for rationally accelerating consolidation or avoiding sudden settlement.
Highlights
Traditional researches upon the soil foundations are mainly based on saturated soil mechanics, and comprehensive conclusions have been made to guide practical engineering [1]
By taking piecewise cyclic loading into consideration, Liang et al [4] studied the 1D consolidation of saturated foundation under the semipermeable boundary conditions
There is not a systematic research framework upon the consolidation of unsaturated soils under piecewise cyclic loading. erefore, it is of great significance to explore the effects of piecewise cyclic loading on the 1D consolidation of unsaturated soil, since unsaturated soil is widely distributed all over the world
Summary
Traditional researches upon the soil foundations are mainly based on saturated soil mechanics, and comprehensive conclusions have been made to guide practical engineering [1]. By taking piecewise cyclic loading into consideration, Liang et al [4] studied the 1D consolidation of saturated foundation under the semipermeable boundary conditions. E authors of [14,15,16,17] and Li et al [18] studied the 1D consolidation behaviors of unsaturated stratum by analytical and semianalytical solutions considering various boundary conditions and external loadings. Zhou and Zhao [19] studied 1D consolidation problem of unsaturated foundation under different initial conditions and time-varying loading by a simplified analytical method. Zhao et al [24] investigated the 1D consolidation characteristics of unsaturated foundation considering the semipermeable boundary condition with explicit solutions. Is paper aims to derive semianalytical solutions to analyze the consolidation of unsaturated foundation under piecewise cyclic loading (namely, triangular and trapezoidal cyclic loadings). The 1D consolidation characteristics of unsaturated soils under piecewise cyclic loading are investigated against ratio ka/kw, depth z and loading parameters
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