Derivation of consolidation partial differential equations with non-linear fl ow characteristics on organic soil example

Abstract

Abstract Derivation of consolidation partial differential equations with non-linear flow characteristics on organic soil example. Derivation of consolidation partial differential equation with non-linear flow characteristics is proposed. The non-linear flow characteristics are obtained from flow-pump test on organic soil and described with empirical relationship. Several reasons were crucial to perform tests on organic soil. Firstly organic soils are very compressible, so that results in high permeability changes. Even with small stresses organic soil deforms a lot. Secondly road embankments, flood control levees, dykes and dams are very often located on organic soil, so it is important to model deformations under these constructions. Thus to model consolidation process in soft organic soil one should consider as follows: physical and mechanical properties, non-linear stress-strain relationship, non-linear flow characteristics, and creep strains. This paper is focused mainly on non-linear flow characteristics that change with porosity and hydraulic gradient variations.