Prediction of Inundation Settlement Using Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework in Unsaturated Granite Residual Soil

Abstract

Inundation settlement is triggered due to the rise of the groundwater table. In designs, it is usually ignored since the analysis assumes that the foundation soil is fully saturated at the base of shallow foundations. The problem that arises from this scenario is that when the construction was done in dry season, and when wet season comes, the groundwater table rises causing the partially saturated soil to be fully saturated, hence causing a reduction to the shear strength of the soil and followed by wetting collapse. The concept of effective stress and shear strength interaction demonstrates the soil behaviour to resist settlement in two conditions, which are due to loading and wetting. The latter is simulated in a modified Rowe cell to measure settlements due to suction loss under lateral pressures exerted to the wall of the cell at ko condition. The complexity of this behaviour will be explained applying the Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework and verified by the test data observed. The ability of the framework to predict inundation settlement will be presented.