Analytical solutions of one-dimensional large strain consolidation of saturated and homogeneous clays

Abstract

Fully explicit analytical solutions are developed for one-dimensional large strain consolidation in both thick and thin soil layers. Numerical examples are given and comparisons are made with the classical small strain theory. It is shown that, unlike the results in classical small strain theory, the average degree of consolidation defined by stress (i.e. U p) and that defined by strain (i.e. U s) in large strain theory are different. The magnitude of settlement predicted by large strain theory is found to be smaller while both the development of settlement and the dissipation of excess pore water pressure (as shown by U s and U p) are found to be faster than in small strain consolidation in the cases studied. Another interesting observation is that the discrepancy between large and small strain theories diminishes with reducing compressibility (i.e. increasing stiffness) of soil and decreasing magnitude of applied load.